The Extreme State Lockdowns. The California and New York orders to stay at home are unsustainable.

Wall Street Journal ^ | March 20, 2020 | WSJ Editorial Board

[karpov]

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered the state’s some 40 million citizens to “shelter in place,” meaning they shouldn’t leave their homes except to perform essential activities such as picking up food or medicine.

Then on Friday Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York ordered all non-essential businesses to keep their workers home, as did Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. Governor Philip Murphy of New Jersey said he would do so on Saturday. These actions got a federal imprimatur when Dr. Anthony Fauci of the White House’s response task force endorsed the degree of shutdown ordered by Governors Newsom and Cuomo.

The speed at which the government-ordered clampdown has escalated is remarkable. Last week most businesses were still operating albeit at reduced capacity as people heeded public health recommendations to social distance. Restaurant reservation website OpenTable reported that year-over-year reservations were down 38% in California, 43% in Connecticut and 49% in New York as of March 12.

Then on Monday these Governors ordered gyms, restaurants, casinos and bars to close and banned social gatherings of more than 50 people. It makes sense to limit opportunities in which people can transmit the coronavirus to large groups of people. But we wonder if such massive public lockdowns as these Governors have ordered are warranted by the available data on the virus’s course.

Mr. Newsom warned that more than half of California’s population could be infected within eight weeks, but that obviously frightening assertion assumes no social distancing or other precautionary public health measures.

We praised Mr. Cuomo in these pages for pushing back this week against New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s suggestion that New York City residents would soon be told to “shelter in place,” which caused panic across the city. Now the Governor has ordered a statewide shutdown

[Keyhopper]

I’m sorry for your loss.
Key

[Think free or die]

"I remember the pictures of nearly empty store shelves, taken in eastern bloc countries; and commented about them to whomever would listen at Walmart yesterday."

My parents fled Europe in 1950 after their government fell to communists. For decades we weren't allowed to visit, but once we could, I went to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins every few years. It wasn't the harshest of the communist regimes, but it was very sad to see what had been done to a vibrant central European nation. It was dingy, air quality was poor, and the shops were pretty limited. When people saw a queue, they got in it without knowing what was being sold. The reasoning was that if people were willing to stand in line, there must be something at the other end. They always had food, but variety and quality were absent. The highest quality food production went to the bigwigs in Russia, as did nicer consumer goods. People learned to supplement a lot on their own, whether through windowsill gardening, barter, sewing or pilferage. People who ask for socialism have no idea what they are asking for. One of the few positive things I can say about that time is that for many people, it built strong families. Hardship and oppression can have that effect.

[cactusflower]

So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and your family at this time.

[JustaCowgirl]

That’s awful. Prayers for you and for some relief from the isolation.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

Heartbreaking, so very sorry for your loss and the restriction to honoring her as you desire. Prayers up

[vpintheak]

Yep.

[Sun]

Short excerpt of new info., I believe by Cuomo’s Executive Order, that I received from New York State Senator Tedisco via e-mail:

“..* Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;

* Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced; ..”

Looks like we New Yorkers better not stand on the sidewalk and talk with our neighbors.

[thecodont]

Very sorry to hear this. May God comfort you in your time of loss.

[AbolishCSEU]

My husband has an HVAC biz so he still has to go out on calls.

I work for the county IT dept. supporting 911 and the Sheriff dept so I am told to work from home.

I also have a vacant rental I am rehabbing. Ran out to Ollies yesterday to grab stair treads before they shut down.

[bugman]

My sister lives in Uganda. They are under some sort of shelter command. Nobody is paying any attention to it because hunger comes first.

[Quilla]

How are you doing sir? Just wanted you to know you are in my prayers.