Hogan concerned about coronavirus spike after protests

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Sunday he is a “little bit concerned” about protests sparked by the death of George Floyd potentially leading to a spike in coronavirus cases. 

“Well, we’re a little bit concerned about that,” Hogan said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” when asked if he’s worried the protests could be spreading the coronavirus. 

“Right now, the immediate concern is to lower the temperature, stop the looting, and potentially keep our citizens safe from the riots that are going on,” he added. 

{mosads}Hogan said the next step is to deal with the coronavirus. 

“There’s no question that, when you put hundreds or thousands of people together in close proximity, when we have got this virus all over the streets, it’s not healthy,” he added. 

Hogan, noting the approximate 14-day incubation period of the virus, said in about two weeks officials will see whether or not “this gives us a spike and drives the numbers back up or not.” 

Hogan has started lifting statewide coronavirus restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus as the state had met metrics for being able to reopen, including a decrease in hospitalizations and increase in testing. 

Protests have broken out across the country in response to Floyd’s death. Floyd died shortly after being arrested in Minneapolis.

Video footage of his arrest shows an officer kneeling on him as Floyd said he can’t breathe. Four officers were fired and one seen kneeling on Floyd, Derek Chauvin, was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. 

The three other fired officers were not charged.