Will George Floyd Protests in US Cities Worsen the COVID-19 Outbreak?

Introduction

I pray not for I would hate to think that people fighting for a good cause like that would inflict harm on their beloved ones at home.

The Current Situation

In order for there to be a resurgence, the pandemic would first need to be under control. However, within the United States, this has not yet happened.

Contributors to the Resurgence

They may have had a very minor impact, but the resurgence has been predominantly caused by people failing to adhere to social distancing guidelines, refusing to wear masks, and by the imbecilic Trump administration forcing lockdowns to end weeks before the numbers supported this action.

Protests and the Resurgence

Some might argue that the protests have played a small part, but the large-scale ignoring of public health recommendations would have played a much larger role.

Protests are rare sights in these locations:

No protests at the beach. No protests while shopping. No protests in everyday activities.

Other states, such as Minnesota and Arizona, offer a useful comparison. Minnesota had George Floyd protests but has been slow to reopen. Arizona, which is close, similarly in population distribution, reopened quickly. The data suggests that there is minimal surge in Minnesota, while there is a major surge in Arizona.

It would appear that the data does not support the protests as causing the surge. The data suggests that it is the rapid reopening which caused the recent surge.

Analysis and Expert Opinions

No, the protesters did not significantly contribute to the spike. Someone posted he was 'certain' the protesters contributed, but offered no supporting documentation. Here are some facts:

Researchers say protests did not increase the spread of COVID-19. Nationwide protests have not caused a COVID-19 spike so far. Black Lives Matter protests did not lead to increases in COVID-19 cases.

These statements are backed by research and observation. The key factor appears to be the timing and approach to reopening in different states.

Conclusion

While the George Floyd protests may have briefly disrupted some social norms, the primary factor in the increase in cases appears to be the rapid reopening and lack of adherence to health guidelines. The protests themselves do not seem to be the direct cause of the rise in cases.

Keywords: George Floyd protests, COVID-19, surge in cases