The City of San Francisco has announced containment measures for non-essential travel between March 17 and April 7, 2020. - Jeff Chiu / AP / SIPA

  • The Covid-19 epidemic is spreading in the United States, with more than 5,000 cases and 80 deaths.
  • Several states and cities, including California and New York, have taken restrictive measures.
  • Donald Trump has announced measures to support the economy.

Gatherings limited to 10 people, first curfew imposed in New Jersey, confinement in the San Francisco region and probably in New York: the United States aligns with the drastic measures taken by certain European countries against the coronavirus.

Witness to the acceleration of measures: President Donald Trump recommended Monday from the White House to limit the rallies to 10 people, against 50 again Sunday, to close schools - already stopped in cities like New York, Washington , Chicago or Los Angeles - stop going out to bars and restaurants and avoid non-essential travel. Chains like Starbucks and McDonalds have gone exclusively to take-out across the country.

San Francisco confined, New York is preparing for it

Tuesday at midday, the milestone of 5,000 cases and 80 deaths due to Covid-19 was passed in the United States. The epidemic is progressing the fastest in New York (814 new cases in 24 hours). Washington and California are also expected to pass 1,000 cases by Wednesday.

Several states or cities have taken strict containment measures. "Starting at midnight (Tuesday), San Francisco will ask people to stay home except for basic needs," tweeted London Breed, the mayor of the American city, before giving a press conference.

Supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and petrol stations will remain open, while restaurants may continue to sell take-out or deliveries. Bars, gym studios and other non-essential businesses will close until April 7. This decision had already been made for schools and large gatherings last week. Similar decrees have been adopted in the 5 neighboring counties, all around the bay, including Sillicon Valley. About 7 million people are affected.

In New York, state governor Andrew Cuomo assured that such a measure was not on the agenda, but the city mayor asked residents to prepare for it, indicating that measures could be taken. 'here Thursday. New Jersey was also the first American state to announce a curfew (after the territory of Puerto Rico) on Monday between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. for non-essential travel. In Florida, several cities have announced the closure of certain beaches, crowded in recent days by vacationers despite calls for social distancing.

To those who ask me if the Americans are more disciplined than the French to respect the instructions, the answer is no. Example, spring break in Florida #coronavirus https://t.co/z5ZTEcOeyo

- Philippe Berry (@ptiberry) March 17, 2020

A check for the Americans?

The Trump administration and the U.S. Central Bank stepped up efforts on Tuesday, announcing massive aid to provide immediate financial assistance to the most affected businesses and households. The US Secretary of the Treasury, "Steven Mnuchin, is working with the Senate and the House of Representatives on a bold and very important (aid) program," said Donald Trump at a press conference.

After being slow to react, the White House host boasted that this plan would be unprecedented. "I don't think I've seen anything similar before," he said. "We are studying the possibility of sending money directly to the Americans," said Donald Trump. Steven Mnuchin did not reveal the amount of this aid plan while the American press mentioned some 850 billion dollars.

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