U.S. leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has acknowledged that over the past week and a half, COVID-19 cases doubled due to the easing of protection measures -- overwhelming the country in the first wave of the pandemic.  He added that the U.S. is "up to its knees" in the coronavirus crisis.

Without giving any details, the specialist pointed out that the haste to reopen the economy in several states and cities, to return to normalcy, is the cause of the unusual increase in infections and deaths.

The United States has already passed the record three million confirmed cases and more than 131 thousand dead -- a gloomy scenario, mainly because the structures created to assist the population have collaspsed.

In the next few days, Florida could become the main focus of infection, since there are 240 thousand confirmed cases and many hospitals in cities across the state are running out of beds in intensive care units.

Miami Dade authorities in Miami have ordered the closure of dance halls, gyms, and restaurants -- except for those that sell delivery food -- and banned crowds.  The increase in asymptomatic patients makes the situation more serious because it is almost impossible track every contact.

In Nevada and Arizona, the situation is also critical in hospitals, which only have 20 percent of its capacity available.  In Texas, patients have increased with an amazing speed.  Up to seven thousand new cases were registered this week with in 24 hours, a rhythm that will bring health centers to collapse in a short period of time.

Still, not only sanitary problems are exceeding the control capacity of local and federal governments.  Millions of unemployed people cannot cope with their families' basic needs.

A study published by the Center for Poverty and Social Policy of the United States, shows that the unemployment rate reached 12.7 percent due to the pandemic.

In the city of Los Angeles, California, the average of homeless people rose 13 percent over the previous year, and now 66 thousand citizens are forced to live on the streets.

This dantesque spectacle is repeated in various cities of the United States, where President Donald Trump insists on minimizing the disease.

In these terms, perhaps Dr. Fauci's statement should be rectified, because this first world power is not really knee deep in problems, but on its knees before the ruthless pandemic.