While many people including myself are advising against any nonessential travel right now, you might want to really re-think your travels if you are heading to one of the following hotspots. There are currently three new hotspots you need to be aware of and I will give you some info on these places and what they are going through.
Detroit
Detroit, Michigan is a new hotspot that is the one of the fastest growth rates of the disease in the nation. Detroit’s coronavirus rate is 83 cases per 100,000, which is nearly five times the statewide rate.
One in three residents in Detroit is impoverished so facing a massive outbreak in that city is something that many are not prepared to handle. There are also concerns over shortages of medical supplies.
I’ve seen reports of nurses in Detroit and healthcare professionals being forced to use the same mask all day which is obviously extremely problematic. They are currently awaiting a response for a disaster declaration.
New Orleans
Louisiana recently had the highest growth rate of the disease in the world. In particular, the city of New Orleans is getting hit extremely hard right now. There are a lot of factors at play in the city, including the recent co-mingling of many people for the Mardi Gras celebration.
They have declared a major disaster declaration in the state and that should help them receive more supplies and resources, which is very much needed given that they have a shortage of ventilators and other equipment.
Chicago
Chicago could be expecting close to 40,000 hospitalizations in the coming weeks due to the outbreak. The mayor made sure to distinguish between hospitalizations and cases since it would be the former in this case. Also, things are getting so serious that the police are starting to fine people $500 for violating stay at home orders.
Final Word
It is estimated that all three of these locations will see things get much worse in the next week so hopefully their dire need for medical supplies and professionals will be met.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
Every major city will be a hotspot. In every country in the world. Just a matter of time. Airline transportation continued for months. It’s coming to every major city, IMHO.
I think I might be a little bit more optimistic. I think it is going to hit our big cities in large numbers but I think some cities will contain it much better than others and the hospital systems won’t all be overwhelmed. At least that is what I’m hoping since so many cities have a lot of warning now that they have seen what is happened in places like New York.
Italy’s healthcare system is ranked #2 and they thought they were prepared. But, they failed to lockdown their population until it was too late.
The U S has a very bad health care system especially in the south. That problem combined with the lack of lockdown measures will certainly cause some horrific numbers in the near future. I’m not optimistic at all just based on all the failed countries so far, Italy, France, Iran and Spain and the best goes on. I’m just glad I’m not in the U.S.
I’ve heard that but their death rate is like 10 times worse than the US. I know there are a lot of factors like the median age of the population and what not but I just don’t see it getting as bad as Italy. One of the main reasons is that, as flawed as the US’s initial response may have been, it is one country that knows how to mobilize its people/economy to help with resources and logistics. The US is an industrious bunch. I think that is going to make all the difference in the world when all is said and done. At least I hope so.