‘The second wave has begun’: U.S. doctor says medical system may be stressed if people aren’t careful

A second wave of coronavirus has started in the U.S. — and people need to remain careful or risk stressing out the health-care system again, said William Schaffner, a professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

“The second wave has begun,” said the professor of medicine told CNBC’s “Street Signs Asia” on Monday. “We’re opening up across the country, but many, many people are not social distancing, many are not wearing their masks.”

Even so, he said he “cannot imagine” a second shutdown due to the impact of the first one.

Several states in America have reported recent spikes in Covid-19 cases as measures are eased throughout the country. The U.S. has the highest number of cases in the world. Nearly 2.1 million people have been infected by the disease and more than 115,000 people have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Schaffner added that mass gatherings and religious services are also being held. “Many people are simply not being careful, they’re being carefree,” he said. “That, of course, will lead to more spread of the Covid virus.”

Despite signs of a second wave, Schaffner said the option of another lockdown is “off the table.”

Instead, governments, businesses and religious leaders have to work together to promote mask wearing and social distancing in order to flatten the curve.

He said wearing masks is “very, very important” and authorities should “persuade and educate” their residents to make this a “social norm.”

“If we all do that in respect of each other, then I think we can make some progress,” said Schaffner.

‘The second wave has begun’: U.S. doctor says medical system may be stressed if people aren’t careful, CNBC, Jun 15