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Frontline Medical Workers Celebrate 4th of July at White House

VOA News

   The White House says in a statement on its website that it is hosting
   "members of our military, first responders, doctors, nurses, and other
   American heroes who fought the coronavirus pandemic on the front lines"
   at a White House Salute to America, part of its Fourth of July
   celebrations Saturday on the South Lawn.

   It is not, however, immediately clear if the front line workers will be
   wearing masks and practicing social distancing, something President
   Donald Trump has been reluctant to do even though the U.S. is leading
   the world in COVID-19 infections. It has nearly 2.8 million of the
   world's more than 11 million infection cases.

   The administration's public health officials have said mask wearing and
   social distancing can help halt the spread of the disease.

   Several U.S. governors have reinstated the lockdowns they had begun to
   ease since a recent surge in cases swept across a number of states. The
   news of the reversals came just before the start of the Fourth of July
   holiday. Authorities are hoping that Americans will use self-discipline
   on the holiday and not engage in activities that could expose
   themselves and others to the coronavirus.

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