As the novel coronavirus spreads throughout the U.S., individual states are taking
preventative measures and urging citizens to stay home.
At least 32 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have enacted
statewide responses to the strain COVID-19, according to USA Today.
Also, President Trump has sent the National Guard to the most heavily impacted states:
New York, California and the state of Washington. The Department of Defense reported
the “guardsmen who have been called up are providing transportation, command and
control functions, engineering, and planning and logistics.”
On March 13, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear ordered all non-essential
establishments to close indefinitely and mandated that all medical procedures that were
not life-threatening be suspended, according to The Courier-Journal. This follows a
similar ordinance issued by Ohio.
COVID-19 has caused Louisiana, New Mexico, the state of Washington, Ohio and West
Virginia to issue lockdowns and stay-at-home orders. New Mexico, Washington and
West Virginia’s ordinances last until Monday, March 31. Ohio has extended its orders
until April 6, with Louisiana lasting through April 12.
Illinois has also issued a stay-at-home order with no end date.
“It is incumbent on hospitals and medical facilities throughout the country to assess their
preparedness posture and be prepared to surge capacity and capability,” President
Trump said in a statement. “Additional measures, however, are needed to successfully
contain and combat the virus in the United States.”
In Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan requested in a statement that spring break travelers
isolate themselves for 14 days upon returning home. Similarly, Florida Governor Ron
DeSantis issued a state-wide lockdown in an executive order.
As other states continue to issue stay-at-home orders and lockdowns, concerns mount
regarding the economy. With Live Science reporting more than 25,000 cases in New
York, the state has come to a near economic standstill, excluding essential businesses.
Over 14,000 of those cases are in New York City. Bloomberg reported that “the cascade
of closures, loss of tax revenue and hits to tourism threaten immeasurable impact to the
city’s economy.”
In response to economic hardship, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled a
stimulus bill on March 12 to combat COVID-19’s impact on the economy, according to
The Washington Post.
CNBC reported that leaders in both parties are closing in on agreement and were
expected to pass the measure within the week.
