Expect A Second, Stronger Coronavirus Outbreak This Winter, Says CDC Chief

The coronavirus outbreak has broken the U.S. job market, the stock market, and food supply chains. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sounding the alarm for a stronger, second wave this winter.

“There’s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through,” CDC director Robert Redfield told the Washington Post on Tuesday. “And when I’ve said this to others, they kind of put their head back, they don’t understand what I mean.”

A still incurable infectious disease combined with the flu, poses a public health threat that could break an already under-equipped healthcare system, said Redfield, who urged Americans to get a flu shot. Doing so “may allow there to be a hospital bed available for your mother or grandmother that may get coronavirus.”

Redfield’s coronavirus warnings may be falling on deaf ears. Governors of Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee have pushed to either lift or significantly reduce lockdown orders to open up the local economy. Additionally, President Donald Trump has pushed for states to reopen, which has led to protests in several states. Redfield said Tuesday that the protests are “not helpful” and could make the coronavirus worse down the road

Georgia governor Brian Kemp who has also been pushing to reopen states, will allow indoor facilities like bowling alleys, gyms, and hair salons to open on Friday. Restaurants will open next week, but all are expected to keep practicing social distancing.

Though Kemp admitted “we’re probably going to have to see our cases continue to go up,” George is better equipped to address new coronavirus outbreaks. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms said an interview with CNN that cases are still rising by the hour.

“As a parent, I am concerned,” Lance Bottoms told Chris Cuomo. “Because when I look at the data that we received from our public health department, our numbers are going up.”