Patchwork Approach to Reopening States Reveals a Red-Blue Divide
A counterprotester (left) is seen near Capitol Square in Richmond, Va., during an April 22 rally to demand that Governor Ralph Northam lift restrictions that have closed certain businesses amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Photographer: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/ Getty Images
Several weeks after the adoption of social distancing and stay-at-home measures in the U.S., the big question is how and when to restart the economy without setting off a spike in infections.
The White House’s approach to reopening has been contradictory. President Trump urged swift action and insisted on April 13 that he had “total” authority over the process. He then seemed to pass the buck to governors on April 16, offering them guidelines with broad latitude. Yet just a day later he encouraged protests against social and business restrictions by tweeting to his followers to “liberate” states where protests took place.