A ‘9/11 moment’ looms this week for coronavirus deaths, surgeon general warns

Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned on Sunday that the coming week would be America’s “Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment” in the coronavirus pandemic.

During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” the surgeon general responded to a question about the severity and duration of the pandemic with a strong warning to Americans.

“Well, it’s tragically fitting that we’re talking at the beginning of Holy Week because this is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans’ lives, quite frankly,” Adams said.

“This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment, only it’s not going to be localized. It’s going to be happening all over the country. And I want America to understand that.”

Adams was quick to add that the public, along with state and local governments, had the power to change the trajectory of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Adams pointed to Italy and Spain, which he said have both reached their peak in coronavirus deaths and appear to be “coming down on the other side” after taking aggressive mitigation efforts about a month ago.

“I want Americans to understand that as hard as this week is going to be, there is a light at the end of the tunnel if everyone does their part for the next 30 days,” he said.

During a Saturday briefing, Coronavirus Response Coordinator Deborah Birx made similar comments, warning Americans to be especially vigilant for the next two weeks, McClatchy News reported.

“This is the moment to not be going to the grocery store, not going to the pharmacy, but doing everything you can to keep your family and your friends safe,” she said.

Birx explained that hot spots could see deaths peak in the next week or so with New York City alone potentially seeing several hundred deaths a day.

This story was originally published April 5, 2020 at 12:14 PM with the headline "A ‘9/11 moment’ looms this week for coronavirus deaths, surgeon general warns."