WASHINGTON (AP) – The Independence Day celebration, July 4, in Washington will include one of the largest fireworks displays of recent times and 300,000 masks will be distributed to those who want to use them, but it will not be mandatory, authorities reported on Wednesday.
Home Secretary David Bernhardt said the events for the second year in a row will focus on the military, including an “air show like never seen.”
“President (Donald) Trump’s 2020 Salute to the United States will be a patriotic tribute to our uniformed men and women,” Bernhardt said in a statement.
The launch of 10,000 fireworks over a mile “will be the longest in recent memory,” the official said.
The United States is in the midst of a COVID-19 spike and mired in confusion about what to do outside the home, especially when it comes to facemasks. Trump has received criticism for holding large campaign events and other public meetings such as those of the next Independence Day despite the risk of contagion.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser does not have the authority to ban festivities on federal land, but she has warned the government about the obvious dangers of concentrating so many people.
Bowser said he read the statement from the Department of the Interior about the plans for July 4 and considers that they are not consistent with health standards.
“We know it is a special event for the Department of the Interior. We have told you that it does not seem to correspond to the health standards. But the event will take place exclusively on federal property, ”said Bowser.
Washington is in phase 2 of its reopening plans and Bowser has asked the population to avoid the rallies and celebrate July 4 at or near their homes.
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