3-Week ‘Pause’ Begins Today In Nevada To Get COVID ‘Wildfire Under Control’

The Hill: Nevada Governor Orders 3-Week Statewide 'Pause,' Issues Stronger Requirements For Businesses 
Nevada governor Steve Sisolak (D) on Monday announced a three-week “pause” beginning on Nov. 24, during which further restrictions will be placed on businesses and mask mandates will be intensified. Sisolak tweeted, “Today, I’m announcing new restrictions, in an effort to get this wildfire under control. I’m not issuing a shutdown order. My goal is to aggressively try to attack this spread, while maintaining some portion of our economy and our daily life.” (Choi, 11/23)

The Washington Post: Washington D.C. Adds Coronavirus Restrictions As Infections Rise
D.C. tightened restrictions Monday to confront rising coronavirus cases, a move that follows similar actions in neighboring jurisdictions and puts the entire Washington region under more strict pandemic protocols. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) announced a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 10 people — including Thanksgiving dinners, since the order takes effect Wednesday — and outdoor groups of more than 25 people. The restrictions come as caseloads have spiked across the greater Washington region, where the seven-day average number of cases Monday hit a record for the 20th consecutive day. (Zauzmer and Cox, 11/23)

The Hill: Los Angeles County Suspends Outdoor Dining Amid Coronavirus Surge 
Los Angeles County is suspending outdoor dining for the foreseeable future as coronavirus cases surge in the region and across the country. The order from the public health department will force restaurants, wineries and breweries into a takeout and delivery-only model for the first time since May. It will remain in effect for at least three weeks, though it could last longer. (Weixel, 11/23)

6abc Philadelphia: New Coronavirus Restrictions Going Into Effect In Delaware Monday Morning  
Delaware Governor John Carney issued a third revision to the state's COVID-19 emergency order, which went into effect Monday morning. Under the new order, indoor gatherings at home must be capped at 10 people. "These are difficult decisions, but we face a difficult and challenging winter," said Governor Carney. "COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rising in Delaware and across the country. More than 250,000 Americans have already lost their lives to this virus. We're focused on protecting lives and targeting restrictions where we're seeing spread of COVID-19. Let's all do our part. Wear a mask. Avoid gatherings with anyone outside your household. Consider celebrating holidays a little differently this year. Stay vigilant and we'll get through this." (Kent, 11/23)

Sarasota Herald-Tribune: DeSantis Silent As Florida Bears Down On 1 Million Coronavirus Cases
While several of the nation’s governors have taken steps before Thanksgiving to blunt a holiday surge in coronavirus cases, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has remained quiet and out of the public view. Florida is bearing down on 1 million coronavirus cases – adding more than 131,000 cases this month alone. But DeSantis has rarely been seen since Election Day on Nov. 3. (Kennedy, 11/23)

In related news about state restrictions —

FOX 4 Kansas City: Missouri Health Official Steps Down After Threats Over Coronavirus Restrictions 
An eastern Missouri county health director has left her job because of threats she says she received over coronavirus restrictions, including a mask mandate, KTVI reported. “I have received emails, you know, with someone claiming that a group of people in the community are watching me and following me, and if I make decisions that they don’t like that there will be retaliation,” said Amber Elliott, who had been the St. Francois County health director since January. (11/23)

The Washington Post: Statewide Mask Mandates Are Good For Business, New Study Shows
Making masks mandatory doesn’t just have public health benefits — it also boosts consumer spending, according to a new study from the University of Utah. Reviewing data from all 3,142 counties nationwide, the researchers found that credit card spending increased more dramatically in counties where a mask mandate was introduced, compared to those where masks remained optional during the same time period. Cellphone data also showed that people were more mobile after mask mandates went into place, suggesting that they were leaving their homes more and potentially spending more time at local businesses. (Farzan, 11/24)

The Hill: Majority Want Their States To Stay Open Amid Coronavirus Surge: Poll 
A majority of Americans say they want their states to stay open amid the recent surge in coronavirus cases as opposed to locking down, according to a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released exclusively to The Hill. Fifty-four percent of respondents said they wanted their states to "try to manage while staying open." Forty-six percent said they believed their states should return to lockdown. (Manchester, 11/23)