Coronavirus Updates: Trump Hosts Mount Rushmore Fireworks; Mexico Shuts Arizona Border as Cases Rise

With the U.S. setting another record in newly reported coronavirus cases Friday, thousands have gathered at President Donald Trump’s Independence Day celebration at Mount Rushmore — and few are wearing protective masks. Nor was there any evidence of social distancing in the tightly packed audience assembled for Trump’s speech and a fireworks display. Trump did offer thanks to “the doctors, nurses and scientists working tirelessly to kill the virus.” Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, a Trump ally, had said social distancing wouldn’t be required during the event and masks would be optional. Event organizers were to provide masks to anyone who wanted them and planned to screen attendees for symptoms of COVID-19. Many parades and fireworks displays across the nation were canceled over the holiday weekend, with confirmed cases climbing in 40 states. The U.S. saw 52,300 newly reported cases Friday, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, put out a tweet Friday night urging Americans to “Practice proper hygiene, social distancing & wear a mask when in close proximity to others.”