The U.S. braces for an onslaught

After erupting on the East and West Coasts, the coronavirus outbreak has made its way inland, threatening to overwhelm parts of the United States where medical equipment is in short supply and official guidance is sometimes contradictory.

In Louisiana, which may have the fastest-growing outbreak in the world, New Orleans is the epicenter. The city’s case countopped 1,100 on Friday, as speculation mounted among medical experts that last month’s Mardi Gras festivities had helped fuel the rapid growth.

Across the country, many cities and states with zero cases last month now face looming explosions: Chicago and its suburbs have nearly 2,000 cases; Detroit has identified over 1,000; and Milwaukee County, Wis., has reported 468.

Counties and cities outside of major urban centers have also seen striking numbers, as in Albany, Ga., whose population of 73,000 has been hit with more than 160 confirmed cases and 16 deaths.

Clashes between state and local leaders over how to respond, and mixed signals from the federal government, have complicated the situation. In states without formal restrictions, one mayor’s order to keep residents at home can be undermined by surrounding cities and counties without such measures.

The chaos of the responses could exacerbate another pressing issue: a severe, widespread shortage of medical supplies. In one survey, nearly 200 American cities, large and small, reported lacking face masks, testing kits, ventilators and other equipment needed to handle the crisis.

@ The New York Times