US authorities debate over masks, personal freedom as Covid-19 cases surge

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday accused President Donald Trump of "surrendering" to the coronavirus pandemic and failing to stay prepared for a resurgence that could put a U.S. economic recovery at risk.

"American people sacrificed so much to fight this virus... we may lose some the progress we've begun to make. All because he's lost interest," Biden said. "Now he's just flat surrendering the fight."

Trump is eager to reopen the economy and resume political campaigning even as coronavirus cases have started to rise again, with record increases reported this week in Oklahoma, Texas, and Oregon.