The debate over whether a second lockdown could happen has been stoked by surging coronavirus cases and recent images of crowded gatherings at bars, restaurants, and public spaces around the country. “COVID’s not taking a summer vacation,” William Schaffner, MD, an infectious diseases expert and professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told CNN. “It’s actually having new opportunities to spread.” Fortunately, many of the medical field’s top experts believe that a second lockdown can be avoided if the guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are followed. Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on June 12 that “the best thing to do is to avoid crowded areas. But if you’re not going to do that, please wear a mask.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Top public officials also put their weight behind the value of basic preventative measures that could help prevent another lockdown. “People must observe the safety guidelines,” top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told CNN. “Social distancing must be observed. Face coverings in key places must be observed.” RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. Since the final decision is made at the state level and not federal, every local government is being asked to stay vigilant to avoid any problems before they grow out of control. Experts contend that keeping hospitalizations at a manageable level should be the metric for any reopening plan. And for more on the states that are in danger, check out These Are the New States the CDC Is Most Worried About.