mass spread occurring when the "Trump strategy" of ignoring, downplaying, and pretending it would go way while not wearing masks was employed. We saw how that strategy worked out. After the initial devastation, NYC got their shit together and since May 1, 2020, the death rate in NYC is almost identical to that of Texas. Not bad considering NYC has 29,000 residents per square mile while Texas has 109 residents per square mile.

With regard to opening up, I have no problem with Texas opening up when they did, although hopefully the governor continued to encourage responsible behavior (social distancing, mask wearing while indoors). I didn't follow it too closely. I'm also OK with NY's decision to lift capacity restrictions 2 1/2 months after Texas at a time when cases have dropped by 60% in the last month and 80% from the peak. Pretty sure they still have mask requirements indoors though.