Will California’s rush to reopen increase COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations?

Even before the police killing of George Floyd inspired tens of thousands of Californians to crowd the streets in protest, the state appeared headed for a second wave of coronavirus infections.

That’s because, after two months of lockdown, Gov. Gavin Newsom had moved to swiftly reopen major sectors of the California economy over the past few weeks. Some medical experts and elected officials are worried that he’s moving too quickly. They say California does not have the testing and contact tracing capabilities necessary to reopen safely.

In this episode of California Nation — recorded in late May — I talked to an epidemiologist, a state senator and a local mayor who say California’s decision to reopen quickly may mean we’re headed for a deadly surge in COVID-19.

With COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise in California, will the next few weeks prove their grim worries correct? Please listen to “California Nation: A Second Wave of Coronavirus?” and subscribe.

This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 5:00 AM.