CLEVELAND — More people are getting out this holiday weekend and enjoying the weather, but health officials warn not enough of them are wearing masks or social distancing.
Along Edgewater Beach and in The Flats Sunday night, there were crowds eager to get out and celebrate summer. Many of them stood shoulder to shoulder.
Health officials warn some were likely carrying COVID-19, but asymptomatic.
"Social distancing is absolutely critical," Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, said. "If you can’t social distance and you’re outside, you must wear a mask."
"We don’t want to undo the hard work that we’ve done of eight weeks of social distancing just to have a weekend of irresponsible behavior set us back," Public Health Professor Dr. Ashish Jha said.
The day began with a sobering front page in The New York Times, which published 1,000 COVID-19 death notices. It was a reminder that the threat is not over and why Memorial Day this year will look different, with things such as a drive-by parade in Cleveland honoring Tommie Berry Sr., who fought in the Korean War.
"I see four generations here," he said. "I feel great…I try to enjoy every day with all I have and all I can give."
On Monday, Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. will be closed to the public. Only the family of fallen service members can go in. Amusement parks, often so popular now in Ohio, also remain closed.
On NBC’s "Meet the Press," Gov. Mike DeWine gave no timeline for Cedar Point.
"Our kids and grandkids love to go there, we would love to go there, but we’re certainly not there yet," Gov. DeWine said.
There will still be some public gatherings, including a free 11 a.m. service at the USS Cod submarine in Cleveland. It will honor those who lost their lives in combat and social distancing will be enforced, and organizers say a virus should not stop Americans from honoring those who sacrificed for freedom.
In Mentor, Brecksville, and Twinsburg, annual ceremonies will also be held, albeit with different rules to encourage social distancing.