California Pulls ‘Emergency Brake’; More States Order COVID Restrictions
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that many restrictions will be reimposed to try to stave off the rapid spike of COVID infections. Other steps city and state governments are taking are reported from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Iowa, Texas and other U.S. hot spots.
AP:
California Governor Imposes New Restrictions In Pandemic
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was pulling the “emergency brake” Monday on reopening the state’s economy as coronavirus cases surge at the fastest rate since the start of the outbreak. “We are sounding the alarm,” Newsom said. “California is experiencing the fastest increase in cases we have seen yet — faster than what we experienced at the outset of the pandemic or even this summer. The spread of COVID-19, if left unchecked, could quickly overwhelm our health care system and lead to catastrophic outcomes.” (Beam and Melley, 11/17)
CNN:
California Reimposes Covid-19 Restrictions On 40 Counties As Cases Surge And The Governor Warns Of Possible Curfew
"California is experiencing the fastest increase in cases we have seen yet -- faster than what we experienced at the outset of the pandemic or even this summer," Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a news release. Daily cases in the state doubled in just the last 10 days, he said during a news conference Monday. ... The governor said officials are now considering a curfew, but are still taking a look at studies from several other countries -- including France, Germany and Saudi Arabia -- to better understand the efficacy of those measures. (Maxouris, 11/17)
Bloomberg:
America Locks Down From Atlantic To Pacific With Covid Raging
In just a matter of days, America’s long effort to revive its virus-battered economy has been put on pause -- or thrown into reverse -- across much of the country as new infections soar at the fastest pace since the pandemic’s earliest days. California on Monday reinstituted bans on many indoor businesses across the state, and its governor warned he may impose a curfew. Michigan has ordered a three-week partial shutdown, while states including Oregon, Washington and New Jersey tightened curbs. Even the governor of Iowa, long resistant to virus rules, issued a limited mask mandate Monday. (Baker, LaVito and Young, 11/17)
Philadelphia Inquirer:
New COVID-19 Restrictions In Philly And N.J. As City Officials Warn Of Potential For More Deaths
Warning of a predicted increase in hospitalizations and deaths, Philadelphia officials on Monday imposed new rules that ban indoor gatherings, close gyms, museums and other venues, and shut down indoor dining in the city’s first coronavirus clampdown since June. Without changes, the fall-winter surge could be on track to cause about 1,700 deaths in the city before it ends, as many as occurred in the spring, said Health Commissioner Thomas Farley, citing statistical modeling as he announced the restrictions. (McDaniel, McCrystal, Steele and McCarthy, 11/17)
Fox News:
New Coronavirus Wedding Rules In Ohio Ignite Backlash
New restrictions on wedding receptions in Ohio are igniting backlash from lawmakers as concerns grow over a potential resurgence of the coronavirus. The Ohio Department of Health is clamping down on mass gatherings, which includes weddings and other events. Beginning at midnight Tuesday, wedding receptions and other banquet facilities will be required to follow several guidelines to minimize the spread of COVID-19. (Casiano, 11/16)
The Hill:
Iowa Governor Reverses Course, Issues Statewide Mask Mandate
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) reversed course and issued a statewide mask mandate on Monday after previously resisting calls for the requirement as the coronavirus surges in the state. Reynolds addressed the public and signed a proclamation Monday night that requires those 2 years old and older to wear a mask in indoor areas open to the public where they will be within six feet of people who are not members of their household for 15 minutes or longer. (Coleman, 11/16)
KFOR-TV:
“Now Is The Time To Do More,” Gov. Stitt Implements New COVID-19 Restrictions On Restaurants, Bars
Following a dramatic increase in the number of coronavirus cases across Oklahoma, Governor Kevin Stitt says he is enacting new regulations on restaurants and bars to slow the spread of the virus. “As you are aware, our cases of COVID-19 continue to go up here in Oklahoma and they’re continuing to go up all across the country. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state of Oklahoma has gone up 19% just in the last week. Throughout this entire battle, my first priority has always been to protect the health and lives of Oklahomans. That’s still true today and that’s always gonna be true,” he said. (Querry, 11/16)
In related news —
Houston Chronicle:
Texas Leaders Stick With Reopening Plan As Other States Lock Down
The Oregon governor is calling it a “freeze.” In New Mexico, it’s a “reset.” Across the country, state elected officials are frantically rolling back their reopening plans to slow the burgeoning surge in coronavirus infections. But in Texas, Republican leaders remain unwilling to change course in the face of soaring hospitalizations and an early uptick in deaths from the virus that has public health experts increasingly alarmed. (Blackman, Harris and Goldenstein, 11/16)
Stateline:
GOP Lawsuits Restrain Governors COVID-19 Actions
Governors of both parties are facing a deluge of lawsuits from right-wing lawmakers, conservative legal groups and Republican activists who say chief executives need legislative approval to shut down businesses, require mask-wearing or force residents to stay home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Judges have tossed out the lawsuits or sided with governors in most states where cases have been filed. But in Wisconsin and Michigan, conservative-leaning state Supreme Courts have struck down governors’ emergency public health orders. (Quinton, 11/17)
USA Today:
COVID Restrictions By State: A Look At Face Mask, Stay At Home Orders
As COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise nationwide, some states are halting phased reopening plans or imposing new coronavirus-related restrictions. Several are putting limits on social gatherings, adding states to travel quarantine lists, mandating face masks and encouraging residents to stay home, as many did in the spring. Others are restricting business hours of operation and limiting restaurant capacity. (Hauck and Woodyard, 11/16)
