As May arrives, the US is taking a major step toward resuming normal life, with cities, businesses and entertainment venues announcing plans to begin reopening after the deadly winter surge of Covid-19 infections.

The travel industry is gearing up for a big summer season. This week, Delta will resume filling the middle seat on flights while Disneyland in California is opening its park gates for the first time in more than a year at around 25% attendance capacity.

In sports, the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta United are among the first teams in their respective leagues to return to 100% capacity for games starting in May, with the condition that fans wear face coverings. The Kentucky Derby will have thousands of spectators when it is held on Saturday although attendees will also have to wear masks, per a state requirement for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people.

State leaders and experts, however, note that more needs to be done before the nation fully returns to normalcy.

In Washington state, health officials announced Wednesday that more than one out of every 100 people in rural Ferry County was infected with Covid-19 in the past two weeks, following what was described as a superspreader event in the town of Republic.

"They flouted public health guidelines. They ignored clear science," Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said in a briefing.

With vaccine hesitancy now a serious concern, state officials are asking people who already have been fully vaccinated to continue helping their communities by actively encouraging others to get their shots.

"We really want you to encourage those around you -- your parents, your family, your coworkers," Washington State Secretary of Health Umair Shah said.

And that race to vaccinate as many Americans as possible is running alongside a push to get society back to a pre-coronavirus state of affairs.