As the Biden administration urges the American people to remain vigilant in the fight against the coronavirus, some GOP led states are telling their residents that they do not need to take basic precautionary measures to slow the spread of the virus. This comes as a recent study showed that states with Republican governors were more likely than states with Democratic governors to experience COVID outbreaks and deaths as the pandemic progressed.
While we are making progress towards ending the pandemic, with 2.5 million Americans being vaccinated every day thanks to the Biden administration’s vaccine distribution efforts, the actions of these states serve only to delay the American recovery.
Take a look at how some states are sabotaging the recovery and worsening the spread of the coronavirus:
FLORIDA
SHOT: Florida’s Governor Recently Canceled All Fines Related To Local Government Coronavirus Restrictions, And The State Has Never Instituted A Statewide Mask Mandate.
- March 10: Governor DeSantis Canceled All Fines Related To Local Government Coronavirus Restrictions. “Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order that cancels all fines related to local government coronavirus restrictions. The governor’s order, signed Wednesday, states that any fines on people and businesses imposed by local governments in Florida since March 2020 because of “unprecedented local government restrictions” are remitted.” [WPTV, 3/10/21]
- Florida Never Required Face Coverings Statewide. “They’re joining 11 other states — Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee — that never required face coverings statewide.” [ABC News, 3/4/21]
CHASER: Florida Ranks Ninth In COVID Cases Per Capita Over The Past Week And Ranks Third In Total Cases Of COVID Throughout The Pandemic.
- Florida Ranks Ninth In COVID Cases Per Capita Over The Past Week. According to the New York Times, Florida ranks 9th in COVID cases per capita over the past week. [New York Times, accessed 3/18/21]
- Florida Ranks Third In Total COVID Cases, With A Total Of 1,989,016 Cases. According to the New York Times, Florida ranks third in total cases of COVID and has had 1,989,016 infections. [New York Times, accessed 3/18/21]
IDAHO
SHOT: March 6: In Idaho, A State Where Masks Have Never Been Required By A Statewide Mandate, Protestors, Including The Lieutenant Governor, Held Mass Protests Where They Burned Masks.
- March 6: Protestors In Idaho, Including The Lieutenant Governor, Held Mass Protests Where They Burned Masks. “More than a year into a pandemic that has claimed 523,000 lives in the United States, right-wing protesters in Idaho, including a handful of elected officials, set protective masks aflame Saturday, claiming face coverings stifle their personal liberties. […] The protesters held mask-burnings Saturday in locations across the state, where masks are strongly recommended but not required by Idaho Gov. Brad Little. At a gathering of more than 100 in the state capital, protesters tossed coverings into a flaming barrel and cheered at supportive remarks by Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, a far-right militia supporter whose relations with Little, a fellow Republican, are strained.” [Los Angeles Times, 3/18/21]
- Idaho Never Required Face Coverings Statewide. “They’re joining 11 other states — Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee — that never required face coverings statewide.” [ABC News, 3/4/21]
CHASER: From March 7 Through March 16, Idaho Saw A 13.5 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.
- From March 7 Through March 16, Idaho Saw A 13.5 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.“Percent change of the 7-day average of new cases on March 9 and March 16, 2021 […] Idaho 7-day average of new cases […] Change: +13.5%” [Axios, 3/18/21]
MARYLAND
SHOT: March 9: Maryland’s Governor Announced He Was Lifting Many Of The State’s Restrictions, Including Business Capacity Limits And The Out-Of-State Travel Ban.
- March 9: Maryland’s Governor Announced He Was Lifting Many Of The State’s Restrictions, Including Business Capacity Limits And The Out-Of-State Travel Ban.“Hogan announced on March 9 that he will lift many of the restrictions due to the pandemic in the state as far as indoor capacity of restaurants and businesses and lifting the out-of-state travel advisory while mandating masks be worn by residents to combat the coronavirus. Hogan’s order took effect March 12 at 5 p.m.” [The Washington Informer, 3/17/21]
CHASER: From March 7 Through March 16, Maryland Saw A 10.1 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.
- From March 7 Through March 16, Maryland Saw A 10.1 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.“Percent change of the 7-day average of new cases on March 9 and March 16, 2021 […] Maryland 7-day average of new cases […] Change: +10.1%” [Axios, 3/18/21]
MISSISSIPPI
SHOT: March 2: Mississippi’s Governor Ended The State’s Mask Mandate.
- March 2: Mississippi’s Governor Ended The State’s Mask Mandate. “Republican Gov. Tate Reeves announced the end of Mississippi’s statewide mask mandate on March 2. Tate Reeves: Starting tomorrow, we are lifting all of our county mask mandates and businesses will be able to operate at full capacity without any state-imposed rules. Our hospitalizations and case numbers have plummeted, and the vaccine is being rapidly distributed. It is time! March 2, 2021.” [NBC News, 3/5/21]
CHASER: From March 7 Through March 16, Mississippi Saw A 19.5 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.
- From March 7 Through March 16, Mississippi Saw A 19.5 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.“Percent change of the 7-day average of new cases on March 9 and March 16, 2021 […] Mississippi 7-day average of new cases […] Change: +19.5%” [Axios, 3/18/21]
MONTANA
SHOT: February 12: Montana’s Governor Ended The State’s Mask Mandate.
- February 12: Montana’s Governor Ended The State’s Mask Mandate. “Montana’s statewide mask mandate that had been in place since July was lifted Friday by Gov. Greg Gianforte, but some cities and counties are keeping local mask requirements because they think the governor’s move was premature. Gianforte, a Republican, promised the day after assuming office in January that he would lift the state’s mask mandate once there were liability protections in place for businesses and health care providers, and once enough vulnerable Montana residents were vaccinated against COVID-19.” [Associated Press, 2/12/21]
CHASER: From March 7 Through March 16, Montana Saw A 33.8 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.
- From March 7 Through March 16, Montana Saw A 33.8 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.“Percent change of the 7-day average of new cases on March 9 and March 16, 2021 […] Montana 7-day average of new cases […] Change: +33.8%” [Axios, 3/18/21]
NEW HAMPSHIRE
SHOT: March 12: New Hampshire’s Governor Announced A Removal Of COVID Restrictions Including Lifting The Capacity Limits On Retail Stores And The Eliminating The Quarantine Requirement For Out-Of-State Travelers.
- March 12: New Hampshire’s Governor Announced An Easing Of COVID Restrictions Including Lifting The Capacity Limits On Retail Stores And The Eliminating The Quarantine Requirement For Out-Of-State Travelers. “New Hampshire is easing some of its COVID restrictions on businesses and travel. […] New Hampshire is also easing some restrictions there. The state will no longer require out-of-state travelers to quarantine when they arrive, but it’s still recommended. […] The governor also says retail stores can now operate at full capacity but says the mask mandate will remain in effect.” [Yahoo News, 3/12/21]
CHASER: From March 7 Through March 16, New Hampshire Saw A 25.5 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.
- From March 7 Through March 16, New Hampshire Saw A 25.5 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.“Percent change of the 7-day average of new cases on March 9 and March 16, 2021 […] New Hampshire 7-day average of new cases […] Change: +25.5%” [Axios, 3/18/21]
NORTH DAKOTA
SHOT: North Dakota No Longer Has A Mask Mandate In Effect.
- North Dakota Does Not Have A Mask Mandate In Effect. “Gov. Doug Burgum instituted a statewide mask requirement on Nov. 14 amid a rapid rise in the state’s COVID-19 case count. After extending the mandate in December, Burgum allowed it to lapse when it expired Jan. 18, citing a decline in case numbers. Most of North Dakota’s largest cities, including Fargo, Bismarck and Minot, have face-covering orders in place.” [AARP, 3/16/21]
- When North Dakota’s Mask Mandate Was Ended The State’s COVID Restrictions Were Lifted. “These Seven States Have Dropped All Covid-19 Restrictions […] North Dakota: The state opted not to renew its mask mandate, first enacted in November, when it expired in January 2021, ending North Dakota’s restrictions (the state averaged 78 cases and 0.4 deaths each day over the past week).” [Forbes, 3/11/21]
CHASER: From March 7 Through March 16, North Dakota Saw A 14.2 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.
- From March 7 Through March 16, North Dakota Saw A 14.2 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.“Percent change of the 7-day average of new cases on March 9 and March 16, 2021 […] North Dakota 7-day average of new cases […] Change: +14.2%” [Axios, 3/18/21]
WEST VIRGINIA
SHOT: March 6: West Virginia’s Governor Began Allowing Bars, Restaurants, Retail Stores, Gyms, And Movie Theaters To Operate At 100 Percent Capacity.
- March 6: West Virginia’s Governor Began Allowing Bars, Restaurants, Retail Stores, Gyms, And Movie Theaters To Operate At 100 Percent Capacity. “As of midnight Saturday morning, bars and restaurants can now seat indoors at 100 percent capacity. The same is true for retail stores, gyms, and movie theaters. West Virginia’s rapid decline in key COVID-19 numbers is the reason for the full re-opening.” [WOWK, 3/5/21]
CHASER: From March 7 Through March 16, West Virginia Saw A 29.4 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.
- From March 7 Through March 16, West Virginia Saw A 29.4 Percent Increase In COVID Cases.“Percent change of the 7-day average of new cases on March 9 and March 16, 2021 […] West Virginia 7-day average of new cases […] Change: +29.4%” [Axios, 3/18/21]