It’s a stark contrast from three months ago when New York was considered the global epicenter of the pandemic. Medical experts cite multiple reasons for the COVID surge in California, which came after the Golden State was able to bring down its initial outbreak numbers. “You know, we opened up too soon. We didn’t have the virus totally under control,” Anne Rimoin, PhD, an epidemiology professor at the University of California Los Angeles, told CNN. “People are not following the rules. They’re not wearing masks. They’re not social distancing. They’re not doing what it is that they need to do.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb The sharp spike in cases has hit Los Angeles County particularly hard. In a press conference on Tuesday morning, Mayor Eric Garcetti reiterated that L.A. was “on the brink” of renewed stay-at-home orders to help bring numbers down to a manageable level. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. The news of California’s record-breaking rise comes just one week after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a second shutdown of bars, indoor dining, gyms, movie theaters, wineries, and more businesses across the state. “I really see no other choice, but for California to shut down right now, to really shut down for a couple of weeks so that we can get this virus under control,” Rimoin told CNN. And for more on areas that are struggling to control coronavirus, check out 11 States Where Locking Down Again Is Absolutely Necessary.
