In an unpublished report prepared by the White House coronavirus task force, public health experts recommended 18 states in coronavirus “red zones” immediately roll back re-opening plans in the face of skyrocketing cases.
The 359-page report, obtained by the non-profit watchdog group Center for Public Integrity and reported by CNN, defines the “red zone” as “core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) and counties that during the last week reported both new cases above 100 per 100,000 population, and a diagnostic test positivity result above 10%.”
Eighteen states qualify under that criteria based on cases: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
Washington state qualifies for the cohort based on test positivity.
The report outlines actions the governments in the red zones should take including: mandatory face masks in public; closing businesses like gyms and bars; and limiting gatherings to 10 people or fewer.
Those actions run contrary to the wishes of President Trump and White House officials, who are pushing for the re-opening of the economy, believing it will help Trump’s falling reelection odds.