LA County urges protesters to self-quarantine

Los Angeles County has been advising citizens who have taken part in demonstrations in reaction to George Floyd ‘s death to self-quarantine for two weeks, fearing that they might be carrying the novel coronavirus.

“Did you attend a protest recently? @lapublichealth advises to self-quarantine for 2 weeks and monitor yourself for symptoms of #COVID19,” the county tweeted.

The recommendation then links to the 14-day confinement guidance for “people who were in close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected of having [COVID-19].”

The demonstrations mark the new attempt by state and local government officials to maintain their assistance for demonstrations with the harsh shutdowns that have been put in place for months as part of efforts to stop coronavirus spread.

A range of lawmakers and government authorities have sought to create allowances for those demonstrating, arguing that the reason for which they have been marching is urgent. It caused heavy criticism from those who suspected them of double standards for preferred political causes.

Oh, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti commended the activists and even asserted their right to demonstrate outside his home. However, he also warned that protests could become “super-spreader events.”

He is not the only politician to warn of such risks. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo extended the study last week to involve demonstrators, encouraging the applicants to get checked.

“If you were at one of those protests, I would, out of an abundance of caution, assume that you are infected,” Cuomo said Thursday. “One person, one person can infect hundreds if you were at a protest.”

He added: “You went to a protest, get a test. Tell people, act as if you may have been exposed.”