With Covid-19 infections surging to new highs, and many states’ health facilities overwhelmed, Washington state imposed a new 4-week closure on many businesses and gatherings, and the complaining started immediately.
Business owners who’ve gone to the work and expense of implementing Covid-19 safety measures are understandably frustrated. They deserve government financial support, but shouldn’t dictate health policy.
We just held a referendum on the Covid-19 issue, with mixed results. Voters fired the man who’s been mismanaging the Covid-19 crisis, but left Democrats without congressional majorities (subject to 2 undecided races in Georgia). That suggests only limited, if any, federal Covid-19 relief for businesses and workers will be fothcoming, no one knows when, with none for cash-strapped state and city governments.
Republicans want a special legislative session to address Covid-19 issues, but public health shouldn’t be negotiable; with lives at stake, those decisions ought to be based on the advice of health experts, not partisan legislative bargaining. Moreover, the governor doesn’t need legislative approval for these orders.
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The Federal Government role in Corvid 19 is limited. Trump has actually used all the levers he has, and the Biden plan is just the Trump plan. Congress could authorize more funds, but thus far has not put a bill on the Presidents desk for signature.
State government that has policing power may shut down business, but it has come with steep costs to the businesses and to the state in loss of tax income. No public employees have lost their jobs, but that is coming. Though the governor enjoys his salary soon he maybe laying off police, fire fighters and teaches. Loss of tax money eventually means the state takes it in the shorts.
Public health has to be balanced with citizens other needs, such as the need to make a living. [The rest of the comment was deleted by the editor pursuant to Commenting Policy Para. M.]