In response to Republican leaders across the country rolling back coronavirus restrictions, Protect Our Care’s Coronavirus War Room Director Zac Petkanas released the following statement:
“Since day one of this pandemic, Republican state leaders and lawmakers have repeatedly jeopardized our nation’s ability to recover from the coronavirus crisis.
“After spending a year downplaying the danger, they are sabotaging Biden’s response and their own constituents’ health by rolling back restrictions needed to keep the virus in check. With the pandemic as bad as ever and new variants posing a bigger and uncertain threat, their wildly irresponsible actions are bound to extend the crisis longer than necessary. With the vaccines and a long-overdue, unified national response on the way, now is the time to buckle down and crush the virus – not take our foot off the gas.”
“Unfortunately, this reckless behavior fits in a pattern we’ve seen all along from Republicans – score political points at all costs, at the expense of the health and safety of the American people.”
Experts Are Warning Against Rolling Back COVID Restrictions as Variants Spread
- Decisions By Republican Governors To Roll Back Coronavirus Restrictions Comes As New Cases Remain Worse Than Spring And Summer Highs. “The moves to eliminate virus-related restrictions come as the most-recent seven-day average for new cases in the U.S. is 119,509 for the past week, according to an NBC News analysis. The last time that figure was that low was Nov. 9, near the beginning of the latest surge. The current new case numbers still far surpass the spring and summer highs.” [NBC News, 2/8/21]
- Dr. Justin Lessler, Johns Hopkins Infectious Disease Epidemiologist: “It’s Premature… When We Remove Interventions, We Frequently See Resurgences.” “‘I have some concern it’s premature’ to loosen restrictions, said Dr. Justin Lessler, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Lessler said the very restrictions in place are what is allowing Covid-19 infection rates to decline. ‘When we remove interventions, we frequently see resurgences,’ he said, advising caution if states want to see continued decline. ‘When new variants come along, the stepping back that may have been OK before is not OK anymore because of the more transmissible variants.’” [NBC News, 2/8/21]
- Dr. Jennifer Lighter, NYU Infectious Disease Specialist: “The Variants Are Here And Circulating,” And Reversing A Mask Mandate Makes No Sense. “‘The variants are here and circulating,’ said Dr. Jennifer Lighter, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at NYU Langone Health in New York. While much remains unknown about how the variants will spread and affect the U.S., their presence is undeniable. Lighter said the U.S. isn’t doing enough ‘surveillance protecting’ or sequencing to test how many of the recent positive cases are coming from the new strains. Still, she said, the surge that some anticipated from more transmissible variants has yet to materialize. Reversing a mask mandate, she said, makes no sense, but moves like Los Angeles County’s to reopen outdoor dining at the end of January are sensible when being outdoors decreases the risk associated with contracting the virus.” [NBC News, 2/8/21]
But Republican Governors Are Refusing to Listen, Even as Variant Strains Are Identified in Their Own States
Iowa
- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Dropped Mask Rules And Social Gathering Limits Without Consulting Local Health Officials And The Advice Of The CDC. “Gov. Kim Reynolds did not consult with Iowa Department of Public Health officials on her decision to drop mask rules from her latest COVID-19 disaster proclamation, two Democratic lawmakers say… Reynolds, a Republican, issued a new disaster proclamation Friday afternoon that dropped a requirement for masks in some circumstances and dropped a limit on social gatherings. The decision runs counter to general advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” [Des Moines Register, 2/8/21]
- Reynolds: “We’re Dialing Down, We’re Opening Up.” “They did what they needed to do and I told them we’d dial up and dial down accordingly. We’re dialing down, we’re opening up, and we’re going to continue to do everything we can to come back stronger and better than ever,” the governor said on Fox. In response to a question about Reynolds’ decision, the new CDC director urged states not to ease up their public health measures.” [Des Moines Register, 2/8/21]
- The Lack Of Restrictions Has Alarmed Iowa Democrats And Health Experts As New Variants Have Been Found In The State And As The Vaccine Roll Out Has Stumbled. “But the lack of restrictions in the new proclamation still alarmed [Democratic Rep. Lindsay] James, and public health officials not in state government, in a week where a more infectious strain of coronavirus has been found in Iowa and Reynolds has acknowledged a slower than hoped rollout of vaccine across the state. ‘It is mind boggling to me that the governor did not consult her own public health experts when making such a major public health decision for our state,’ James said in an interview. ‘The only sense I can make of such an egregious omission is this is about politics, and not the well being of Iowans.’” [Des Moines Register, 2/8/21]
- As Of February 4th, Iowa Ranked 46th In Per Capita Administration Of The Coronavirus Vaccine To Residents. “Iowa is not receiving as many doses of the coronavirus vaccine as many other states, which is part of the reason it has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursday. Iowa is 47th in the nation in per capita vaccine distribution from the federal government, and the state is ranked 46th in the rate of administering vaccines to residents, the governor said in a news conference.” [Des Moines Register, 2/4/21]
- Iowa Has At Least Three Cases Of The More-Contagious B117 Variant Of Coronavirus. “Today, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed three cases of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7. in Iowa. The virus variant is often referred to as the U.K. variant because it was first detected in the United Kingdom. Based on epidemiologic and modeling data, researchers believe that the B.1.1.7 strain can be spread more easily than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2.” [Iowa Department of Public Health, 2/1/21]
Florida
- Governor Ron DeSantis Led Floridians In Flouting Public Health Recommendations During The Super Bowl. “So much for the mayor’s order requiring masks at Super Bowl parties. Videos went viral on social media, showing throngs of mostly maskless fans and packed sports bars as the clock inside Raymond James Stadium ticked down on a hometown Super Bowl win for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers… To meet coronavirus protocols, the NFL capped the crowd at less than 25,000 in a stadium that normally holds some 66,000 fans, and required masks. Among those spotted without a mask was Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was photographed in a private booth at the stadium.” [Orlando Sentinel, 2/9/21]
- Fans Who Weren’t Complying With Masks Or Social Distancing Recommendations Crammed Into Bars And Swarmed The Streets. “Outside the stadium, crowds of fans who weren’t wearing masks or practicing social distancing could be seen celebrating the Buccaneers’ 31-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Folks cheered, crammed into bars and hugged in several hotspots around the city — and swarmed the streets — all without masks. In hopes of curbing so-called superspreader events, [Tampa Mayor Jane] Castor had signed a largely voluntary executive order requiring people wear face coverings during the Super Bowl festivities, even while they’re outdoors. She pleaded with people to celebrate safely, noting the city could issue fines of up to $500.” [Orlando Sentinel, 2/9/21]
- DeSantis Has Previously Overridden Mandates, Making It Difficult For Local Governments To Enforce Public Health Recommendations. “Local orders were overridden last year by DeSantis, whose executive order made it difficult for local governments to enforce mask policies because it prohibits them from fining people who don’t comply. Florida has never had a mask policy.” [Orlando Sentinel, 2/9/21]
- As Of February 8, Florida Had 201 Cases Of The Highly-Contagious B117 Variant, The Most In The Nation. “The high[ly] infectious U.K. variant of COVID-19, referred to as B117 by scientists and doctors, is spreading rapidly in Florida. The Sunshine State has 201 cases of the variant as of Monday night, the highest in the nation, according to data from the CDC.” [CBS12 News, 2/8/21]
- In Just Two Days, The Number Of Cases Of The B117 Has Increased By More Than 70 Percent. As of February 10, CDC data showed that the number of B117 cases in Florida had ballooned to 343, an increase of 70 percent.
South Dakota
- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Has Opposed Mask Mandates And Pandemic-Related Restrictions. “South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem claimed in a Fox News interview on Tuesday that, thanks to her state’s ‘unique’ approach to the coronavirus pandemic, they ‘got through it better than virtually every other state.’ Noem, a Republican who has opposed mask mandates and many pandemic-related restrictions, delivered the boast after Fox host Laura Ingraham favorably compared South Dakota’s health and economic performance to that of more strict and Democratic-run New York.” [CNN, 2/4/21]
- Noem Was Photographed Hosting A Maskless Event For Legislative Pages In South Dakota. “Love having our legislative pages over for dinner! We could not get through session without their help. 💪🏼” [Twitter, @govkristinoem, 2/9/21]
- One In Eight South Dakota Residents Is Known To Have Had The Virus, Worse Than Any State Except North Dakota. “South Dakota had experienced 12,280 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people as of Thursday, per Johns Hopkins data — which means about 1 in 8 state residents were known to have had the virus. (As in other states and countries, the true number may be substantially higher.) North Dakota, at 12,851 cases per 100,000 people, was the only state with a worse per-capita figure; New York — which is far more densely populated and which experienced its first big outbreak when less was known about the virus — was at 7,423 cases per 100,000 people.” [CNN, 2/4/21]
- One In 500 South Dakotans Has Died Of The Virus, A Worse Rate Than All But Five States. “South Dakota had experienced 201 coronavirus deaths per 100,000 people as of Thursday — which means about 1 in 500 people in the state were known to have died from the virus. Only New Jersey (244 deaths per 100,000 people), New York (227), Massachusetts (213), Mississippi (208) and Rhode Island (207) had done worse by this measure.” [CNN, 2/4/21]
- Though South Dakota Is Yet To Identify The Highly Contagious B117 Variant, The State Could “Prove A Relatively Easy Target” For The Infectious New Strain. “South Dakota may prove a relatively easy target for a new, more contagious COVID-19 variant that has been discovered in neighboring states, and is expected to blanket the nation by March, according to a Forum News Service analysis… South Dakota’s vulnerability against a more contagious COVID-19 variant is three-fold: A lack of state and local public health measures, a relative lull in the pandemic situation and a slow trickle of vaccine doses.” [Grand Forks Herald, 1/29/21]
North Dakota
- North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum Allowed The State’s Mask Mandate To Expire, And Effectively Allowed Bars And Restaurants To Serve More Customers. “Gov. Doug Burgum announced on Wednesday, Jan. 27, that he is lowering the state’s COVID-19 risk level to ‘low,’ which effectively allows bars and restaurants to serve more customers at once. This is the second time the North Dakota governor has lowered the state’s risk level this month… While the number of cases were declining earlier this month, North Dakota’s statewide mask mandate expired on Jan. 18 after Burgum did not take action to extend it, though cities can still continue to implement their own. Burgum said in a statement he supports ‘locally enacted protocols.’” [Grand Forks Herald, 1/27/21]
Texas
- Occupancy Restrictions For Texas Businesses Have Been Loosened To 75 Percent Following An October Order From Governor Greg Abbott That Tied Restrictions To Hospital Capacity. “With the percentage of Central Texas hospital beds devoted to COVID-19 patients slipping below a key threshold, area businesses can once again welcome in more customers, state officials said Saturday. For the seventh straight day, state health officials reported Saturday, COVID-19-related hospitalizations were less than 15% of total hospital occupancy in the region that includes Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop counties, as well as seven other counties. That meant occupancy limits for area businesses could be loosened from 50% to 75%, in keeping with an October executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott.” [Austin American Statesman, 2/2/21]
- But A Highly Contagious Variant Of The Virus Is Known To Be Circulating In Texas. “It’s been less than a month since health officials reported the first known case of a new and more contagious coronavirus variant in Texas. The man, a Harris County resident, had no travel history. That likely means the variant had already circulated the county or Texas, health experts said. As of Jan. 25, Texas had seven of these cases, including in Dallas and Nueces counties, said Dr. Sherri Onyiego, the local health authority for Harris County. The variant known as B.1.1.7 was first identified in the United Kingdom…. Texas health experts say even though vaccinations are ramping up, people should continue taking precautions to avoid exposure to the virus, especially with the emergence of these new variants.” [Texas Tribune, 1/29/21]
- The New B117 Variant Has The Potential To “Throw Jet Fuel On The Fire.” “There is a new warning about the importance of COVID-19 safety precautions as a new, more contagious variant has been confirmed in Harris County. On Thursday, Harris County Public Health announced the discovery of the COVID-19 variant B. 1.1.7. It is the same variant discovered in the U.K. and the first known case in the state of Texas. ‘The variant has the potential to throw jet fuel on an already dangerous situation,’ said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.” [ABC13 News, 1/7/21]
- As Of February 10, 35 Cases Of The B117 Variant Had Been Identified In Texas. According to data from the CDC, 35 cases of the B117 variant had been identified in Texas as of February 10.
Nebraska
- Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts Has Opposed Mask Mandates, And Explicitly Said, “I Would Not Be Going Along With A Mask Mandate.” “Governor Pete Ricketts on Monday said he would not implement a mask mandate if asked to do so by current president-elect Joe Biden. ‘I would not be going along with a mask mandate,’ Ricketts said when asked during a news conference by a Channel 8 Eyewitness News reporter. ‘I’d be keeping the same policy.’ Ricketts’ comment came within minutes of Biden imploring Americans to wear masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus and saying, ‘We could save tens of thousands of lives if everyone would just wear a mask for the next few months.’ Biden’s pandemic response plan includes a nationwide mask mandate. Ricketts has remained steadfast in his stance against a mask mandate in Nebraska, even as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge throughout the state.” [KLKN, 11/9/20]
- Though Nebraska Has Yet To Identify The B117 Variant, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gary Anthone Says “It’s Most Likely” That The Variant Is In Nebraska. “A variant of COVID-19 first detected in the United Kingdom is likely present in Nebraska, state officials said Wednesday. ‘We can almost say with some certainty that it’s most likely – or some of those mutant strains – are here in Nebraska,’ Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gary Anthone said.” [ABC8 News, 1/6/21]
Montana
- Montana’s New Republican Governor, Greg Gianforte, Has Rolled Back The Public Health Measures Implemented By His Democratic Predecessor. “Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte announced [January 13] that he is removing existing health mandates issued by his predecessor, saying the restrictions are harmful to the state’s businesses. Gianforte, a Republican, said his goal is to move away from specific mandates and toward ‘personal responsibility.’ Under the new rules, which take effect [January 15], restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and casinos will no longer be required to close at 10 p.m., a requirement put in place by Democratic former Gov. Steve Bullock in November as the state reached an apex in daily reported COVID-19 cases. Gianforte also removed capacity limits for businesses, instead encouraging them to follow public health guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and industry groups. Under the Bullock-issued rule, restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and casinos were limited to 50% capacity. The new rules remove limits on the size of public gatherings. The previous regulation stated that gatherings where social distancing isn’t possible were limited to 25 people.” [Associated Press, 1/13/21]
Oklahoma
- After A Legal Challenge Was Brought By Bar Owners, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Rolled Back A Curfew For Bars And Restaurants. “As COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to surge in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt won’t say if he plans to impose new restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus. Although some of the governor’s mitigation efforts remain in place, a legal battle over an 11 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants led the governor to roll back perhaps the most stringent COVID-19 limitation he has imposed in months. Stitt retracted his statewide bar and restaurant curfew after an Oklahoma District Court judge hobbled the restriction as a result of a legal challenge brought by bar owners.” [The Oklahoman, 1/18/21]
- Governor Kevin Stitt Has Refused To Implement A Statewide Mask Mandate. “Asked what, if any, new steps Stitt is considering to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma, his office did not give specifics and leaned on the governor’s oft-used mantra of ‘personal responsibility.’ Despite pleas from many health care experts, Stitt has refused to impose a statewide mask mandate, saying such an order would be ‘unenforceable.’” [The Oklahoman, 1/18/21]
Idaho
- Idaho Governor Brad Little Is Relaxing Statewide Restrictions Even Though The State Hasn’t Met The Criteria That Little Himself Laid Out. “Idaho will relax some of its statewide COVID-19 restrictions after reported positive cases decreased in recent weeks. Gov. Brad Little on Tuesday announced he would return Idaho to Stage 3 of his reopening plan — which lifts restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people. Bars, restaurants and nightclubs were already able to operate with seating only. The new stage will allow indoor gatherings of 50 people or fewer and outdoor gatherings at 25% capacity. Large venues with crowds of more than 50 will need approval for events from local public health districts. The restrictions don’t apply to political events, religious gatherings, educational activities or youth sports events. Health care events, such as COVID-19 testing or vaccine allocations, are also exempt… Little did not take questions. Idaho hasn’t met the series of criteria he outlined to move back to Stage 3. One part of the criteria required Idaho to average fewer than 25 confirmed COVID-19 patients in ICU care over the prior 14-day period. The state’s most recent average is 62.4.” [Idaho Statesman, 2/2/21]
Missouri
- Though Missouri Governor Mike Parsons Encouraged Local Governments To Make Their Own Decisions About Safety Measures, Missouri Republicans Are Now Trying To Strip Health Experts Of Their Authority. “Local health officials could be stripped of their power to control a deadly pandemic under a package of proposed changes under consideration by Missouri Republicans. In action Wednesday, the Senate Health and Pensions Committee opened debate on a series of pro-business proposals that would put roadblocks in the way of county officials seeking to close businesses or religious services during a public health emergency… [Gov. Mike Parsons] has put the onus on local governments to enforce stay-at-home orders and mask requirements rather than issue a statewide mandate.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1/20/21]
Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Republicans Have Blocked Governor Tony Evers’ Health Measures, Including Mask Mandates, Stay-At-Home Orders, And Limits On Indoor Gatherings. “Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued a new statewide mask order on Thursday, an hour after the Republican-controlled Legislature voted to repeal his previous mandate saying he didn’t have authority to make such a decree. Evers and the Legislature have been at odds throughout the pandemic but the latest moves created an unprecedented level of whiplash. Republican lawmakers last year persuaded the state Supreme Court to scrap Evers’ stay-at-home order and a state appeals court halted the limits he placed on indoor gatherings. As the Legislature moved to repeal the order, many cities and counties rushed to enact or extend local mask ordinances. Milwaukee and Dane County, where Madison is located, are among those with orders in place.” [Associated Press, 2/4/21]
- The Highly Contagious, Possibly More Deadly B117 Variant Of The Virus Has Been Identified In Wisconsin, And Experts Are Warning That More Cases Will Be Found. “The state’s second case of the B117 strain of the coronavirus, first discovered late last year in England, was confirmed in Waukesha County. The first case was identified in Eau Claire County last month, when health officials said it was likely more would be found.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 2/10/21]
Arizona
- As Arizona Became The “Hot Spot Of The World,” Governor Doug Ducey Was Hesitant To Implement New Restrictions That Would Have Saved Lives. “Five months after President Donald Trump hailed Arizona as a model for how it dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, public health experts warned Wednesday that the state has become ‘the hot spot of the world’ and that health restrictions the governor has been hesitant to impose could have tamped down the crisis… Health officials in Arizona reported a triple-digit number of new virus-related deaths for the second day in a row and more than 7,200 daily cases, with hospitals strained by a record number of patients. Arizona has the worst coronavirus diagnosis rate in the country, with one out of every 119 people in the state testing positive in the past week. Forceful measures like a statewide mask mandate could help reduce cases down the road, but [the Arizona Public Health Association’s Will] Humble said he doubts Gov. Doug Ducey will change anything. Hospital administrators also are pleading for the state to take greater measures to curb the spread of the virus.” [Associated Press, 1/7/21]
- Ducey Refused A Statewide Mask Mandate And To Close Gyms Or Bars. “In Arizona, where the pandemic is raging, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has been steadfast in his opposition to a statewide mask mandate or the closing of bars, gyms and restaurant dining despite repeated calls from hospital leaders to take such steps. And high school officials voted Tuesday to allow winter sports, reversing a decision made four days earlier to cancel the season.” [11 Alive, 1/13/21]
- The New, Highly Contagious B117 Variant Has Already Been Identified In Arizona. “A more transmissible variant of the new coronavirus has been detected in Arizona, state health officials confirmed Friday evening. The variant first detected in the United Kingdom has been confirmed in three test samples from Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services, which reported the cases along with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the Pinal County Public Health Services District and Arizona State University.” [Arizona Republic, 1/29/21]
- Local Public Health Experts Are Concerned That The New Variant Could Cause A Renewed Onslaught Of Virus Patients In Hospitals. “Concern has been rising among public health and hospital leaders in the state about the impact new coronavirus variants could have on hospitalizations and vaccination efforts. The worry is that because some variants appear to be more contagious and spread faster, they could lead to another surge of illness and hospitalizations in Arizona… Hospital leaders in Arizona are concerned that if the more contagious variants spread here, hospitals may see a renewed onslaught of virus patients in a state that’s already been through two dramatic surges that have stretched hospital capacity.” [Arizona Republic, 1/29/21]