Statement attributable to:

Susan R. Bailey, M.D.

President, American Medical Association (AMA)

Nathaniel Smith, M.D., M.P.H.

President, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)

Jennifer C. Kertanis, M.P.H.

President, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)

“In normal times, July Fourth is a day for friends, family, barbecues, and celebrations of everything American. But with COVID-19 cases spiking across the country in the weeks since Memorial Day, these are anything but normal times, and a typical Fourth of July celebration could further spread the virus, endanger lives, overwhelm our health system, and undo the progress made toward reopening sectors of our economy.

“It is incumbent upon us to learn from the past in dealing with this virus. To protect themselves and others, people must limit the size of gatherings, exercise physical distancing, wear masks, and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer regularly. Consider limiting celebration gatherings to those you are already in close contact with, like family members and housemates. Failure to exercise these basic steps will result in a rise in COVID-19 cases, additional hotspots, and larger hurdles in the way of reopening. 

“COVID-19 remains contagious and shows no signs of disappearing. We strongly urge everyone in the U.S. to stay vigilant in taking the necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Without a safe and effective vaccine or therapy, our only option is to continue taking these precautionary measures to protect ourselves, our communities, and the most vulnerable among us.”

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated and expanded the list of people who are at risk for becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. With a substantial number of Americans at increased risk of severe illness, the AMA, ASTHO and NACCHO will continue to highlight the importance of taking preventive measures to combat the pandemic.