Lockdown-Happy Governors Slam Brakes on America's Recovery, Tighten Grip Across Country
From California to New Jersey, governors and mayors across the U.S. are ratcheting up pandemic restrictions amid a resurgence of the coronavirus.
Officials are closing businesses or curtailing hours of operation, and they are ordering or imploring people to stay home and keep their distance from others.
“I must again pull back the reins,” Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday as he restricted indoor gatherings to 10 people, down from 25. “It gives me no joy.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he is pulling the “emergency brake” on efforts to reopen the economy, saying the state is experiencing a growth in cases which, if left unchecked, will lead to “catastrophic outcomes.”
The move closes many nonessential indoor businesses and requires the wearing of masks outside homes, with limited exceptions.
The tightening came as Moderna Inc. announced that its experimental COVID-19 vaccine appears to be over 94 percent effective, based on early results. A week ago Pfizer disclosed similar findings with its own formula.
The news raised hopes that at least two vaccines could win emergency authorization and become available in the U.S. before the end of 2020.
Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s stay-at-home order went into effect Monday. Only essential businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, will be open.
Washington’s Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee ordered gyms, bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums and zoos to shut down indoor operations. Stores must limit capacity to 25 percent.
People from different households will be barred in Washington from gathering indoors unless they have quarantined. There is no enforcement mechanism. Inslee said he hopes people obey anyway.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called on residents in the nation’s third-largest city to restrict social gatherings to 10 people starting Monday.
In instructions that were advisory, not mandatory, she urged residents to stay home except for essential activities, like going to work or grocery shopping.
Philadelphia banned all indoor dining at restaurants and indoor gatherings of any size, public or private, of people from different households, starting this Friday.
In Michigan, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer warned she has the authority to issue a second stay-at-home order.
Over the weekend, Whitmer announced that Michigan high schools and colleges must halt in-person classes, restaurants must stop indoor dining and entertainment businesses must close for three weeks.
Even North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, who has resisted a mask mandate for months, put one in place over the weekend. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds imposed a limited mask mandate on Monday.
Still, several other GOP governors were taking incremental steps, or resisting even those — continuing to emphasize “personal responsibility” rather than government edicts.
Oklahoma’s Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt announced bars and restaurants must space tables 6 feet apart and end in-person service at 11 p.m.
In South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem continued her hands-off approach and resisted a mask mandate or other restrictions.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in recent days has been emphasizing that new treatments and vaccines are expected to become available soon.
Vice President Mike Pence sounded upbeat on Monday on a call with governors, saying that the government is ready to help states and emphasizing that vaccines are coming.
“America has never been more prepared to combat this virus,” he said.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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