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SC Officials Fear COVID-19 Spike Over July 4th Holiday

Gov. Henry McMaster Tweeted this photo Thursday afternoon with the caption "Lives depend on it. Wear it."
@henrymcmaster/Twitter

  As South Carolina enters the July 4th weekend, public health officials are bracing for what they term as a possible unimaginable number of new cases of the coronavirus.  Gov. McMaster said this week the state is facing a test.

"It's time for us to make up our minds.  July the 4th is coming.  Everybody wants to get out.  But it is a dangerous opportunity for us to spread this virus," McMaster said. Anticipating large gatherings of people at beaches and other events over the fourth, state officials are pleading with residents to avoid crowds, wear masks and practice social distancing. 

Russ McKinney has 30 years of experience in radio news and public affairs. He is a former broadcast news reporter in Spartanburg, Columbia and Atlanta. He served as Press Secretary to former S.C. Governor Dick Riley for two terms, and for 20 years was the chief public affairs officer for the University of South Carolina.