USA celebrate July 4th: Independent – also from the virus?

The United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4th. In 2020, parades and festivals had to be canceled due to pandemics – this year is different. Many Americans travel to their families, and President Biden also invites guests to the White House.

Excited mood at Washington Dulles Airport, hundreds of people are waiting in the arrivals area. “Welcome, Mom and Dad!” Read their hand-painted signs, “Welcome back” on the balloons. This is what it looks like all over the US.

Last year, July 4th fell victim to the coronavirus. This year, Americans are drawn to the outdoors and to their families even more. Almost 50 million people set out on this long weekend – almost as many as two years ago.

“You only know how much you’ve missed something until you can do it again,” says Scott Kirby, head of United Airlines, CNN. Almost four million people will get on the plane for Independence Day. Long queues are expected because airlines and airports still lack staff. However, 90 percent of travelers prefer the car. “People may feel more comfortable traveling in their cars. It gives them a little more control over the protection of their families,” suspects Andrew Gross of the AAA at CNN.

Vaccination goal just missed

Because the pandemic is still here. President Joe Biden wanted 70 percent of adults in the United States to be vaccinated at least once by July 4th. Although he narrowly missed the target, the willingness to vaccinate is very unevenly distributed and the delta variant is spreading in some parts of the country.

To celebrate? No problem for those who have been vaccinated, says Dr. Antony Fauci, the most prominent corona specialist in the USA, but “who is not vaccinated should wear a make-up and think very seriously about getting vaccinated”.

The main part of the celebrations is outside

Which makes things easier: July 4th is primarily a big free-and-outside party. There will be barbecues and picnics with friends and family, there will be live music, parades and, at the climax, fireworks in many places. This is also the case in the capital Washington DC, where tens of thousands will crowd the National Mall. Mike Littertst of the National Park Service advises, “Bring plenty of water, drink, drink, drink, sunscreen so that when the fireworks go off you will be in good shape to enjoy it.”

One of the best seats will be for Joe Biden’s guests in the White House. The president wants to thank people who helped the country through the pandemic. More than 1000 guests are expected – more than ever before in his tenure. It’s another step back to normal.