Cities and States Crack Down on COVID-19 Rules as Cases Are on the Rise
As COVID-19 case numbers are rising, stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns are once again becoming our new norm.
With case numbers reaching an all-time high, health officials are warning that it could only get worse as the holidays approach. Some city and state officials are taking a preemptive strike and laying out new restrictions to help stop the spread. Thirty-six states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, now require a face covering to be worn in public.
Our daily update is published. States reported 1.5M tests, 155K cases, and 1,565 deaths. 77k people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in the US. pic.twitter.com/tY6FB4eIic
— The COVID Tracking Project (@COVID19Tracking) November 18, 2020
Some specific places have banned in-person gatherings, such as Chicago, which has a limit of ten people and a capacity of 40% or 50 individuals for gyms and retail stores. Mayor Lightfoot also advised people to cancel their Thanksgiving plans. Washington State also has similar guidelines, with bowling centers, movie theaters, and gyms being mandated to close, businesses at 25% capacity, and weddings and funerals at a max capacity of 30 people. The governor’s office also announced $50 million in aid — $20 million in “cash assistance targeted directly to hardest-hit industries” and the rest “focused on supporting recovery efforts through business loans.”
Despite opposition from President Trump, who tweeted, “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!,” Governor Whitmer of Michigan put new limitations in place on November 15 such as banning in-person dining and in-person classes, which take effect in three weeks. Armed protests have also taken place at the state capitol building, and the governor was also a victim in a kidnapping plot allegedly by people who attended these protests. On November 16, Whitmer told MSNBC’s Morning Joe, “with the vacuum of leadership in Washington D.C., it’s on the states’ governors to do what we can to save lives.”
NEW: @CBSNews has obtained several state reports by the WH Coronavirus Task Force, which warn:
— Sara Cook (@saraecook) November 17, 2020
“There is now aggressive, unrelenting, expanding broad community spread across the country, reaching most counties, without evidence of improvement but rather, further deterioration.” pic.twitter.com/xLfT8psR8N
Despite rumors that Joe Biden may enforce a national shutdown once President, it has been stated that Biden views that as a last resort.
We hope everyone stays safe this holiday season by wearing their mask and following social distancing guidelines.
