New orders poured in this week from local and state leaders as US health officials issued stark warnings about the spread of the coronavirus. About 75 million Americans were told to stay home after Connecticut, Illinois, New York, and California directed all non-essential workers to sequester — with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker saying the step was necessary to “avoid the loss of potentially tens of thousands of lives.”
And while California Gov. Gavin Newsom said police will not be regulating the statewide order, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said residents of his state could be fined for choosing to ignore the directions. The sweeping measures follow similar directives throughout the week issued by both city and state leaders urging residents to stay put. Those came on top of a slew of orders across the country demanding bars and restaurants convert to only take-out and delivery services in certain areas.
President Donald Trump said Friday he did not anticipate issuing any nationwide stay-at-home orders. Days earlier, the federal government issued “15-day pause” guidelines, asking Americans — among other suggestions — to avoid public gatherings with more than 10 people.
The “pause” may last longer than 15 days, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in their own guidelines. The government said it was preparing for a pandemic that could last up to 18 months or longer and include “multiple waves of illnesses.”
