News

California & New York Residents Ordered To ‘Stay At Home’ To Slow Coronavirus Spread

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) ordered his state’s nearly 40 million residents to stay home in order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus on Thursday night. On Friday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) ordered New York residents to stay at home unless they are required for essential work.

At 1,095 cases and 21 deaths, California has both the third most reported cases and coronavirus deaths in the U.S., behind New York and Washington.

The unprecedented statewide order in California came after several San Francisco-area counties ordered a “shelter in place,” and will remain in effect until further notice.

CHECK CURRENT DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY DELEGATE TOTALS HERE!

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“This is a moment where we need some straight talk,” Newsom told reporters Wednesday. “As individuals and as a community, we need to do more to meet this moment.”

The “stay at home” order went into effect Thursday at midnight, but Newsom reassured the public they will not be arrested if they go outside.

“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement that it’s appropriate just to home-isolate, protect themselves,” Newsom said. “We are confident that the people of the state of California will abide by it and do the right thing.”

The order effectively shuts down all non-essential businesses, such as sit-down restaurants, gyms and large venues. Grocery stores, pharmacies and other “essential” businesses will remain open.

Newsom’s order came a day after he requested a U.S. Navy medical ship from President Donald Trump to help fight the virus.

“We project that roughly 56% of our state’s population — 25.5 million people — will be infected with the virus over an eight-week period,” he wrote Wednesday in a letter requesting the usage of the USNS Mercy hospital ship through September 1.

Those estimates are worst-case scenarios and do not factor the “shelter in place” and “stay at home” orders currently in effect.

Those who do need to go outside for work or essential travel should maintain social distance from those around them. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends maintaining at least six feet of space in order to lower the chances of contracting the virus.

“Go about the essential patterns of life, but do so by socially distancing themselves from others and do so using a common sense,” Newsom said. “Home isolation is not my preferred choice, but it is a necessary one. This is not a permanent state; it is a moment in time.”

Katherine Huggins

Recent Posts

Democrats Attack Green Party Nominee Jill Stein In New Ad

A new ad about Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been released by Vice President Kamala Harris'…

16 hours ago

Jennifer Lopez Says Trump ‘Offended Every Latino In The Country’ With MSG Joke At Harris Rally

https://youtu.be/inbJpo6D4BQ Jennifer Lopez, campaigning with Kamala Harris on Oct. 31 in Nevada, said Donald Trump’s…

16 hours ago

Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Says ‘Gates Of Hell’ Will Be Opened On Opponents If Trump Is Reelected

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn declared that the "gates of hell" would be unleashed if former…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Kamala Harris Hugs First Person In Line For Her Ellipse Rally, Chats With Her Mom

https://youtu.be/JQCdk-71tG0 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with the woman who was the first in…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Harris Vows To Put ‘Country Above Party’ In Front Of 75,000 People At The Ellipse

https://youtu.be/xc72fdqkaVc Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to put “country above party and above self” as…

3 days ago

Trump-Friendly Judge Aileen Cannon In The Running For Attorney General If Former President Wins Second Term

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has reportedly been placed on a list of potential attorney general candidates…

3 days ago