Once an easy sell in the hardest-hit COVID-19 nation, US citizens are now telling governments they’ve had enough of lockdown
In the coronavirus disaster zone of New York, lockdown and social distancing are accepted as part of the “new normal”. But some smaller states are demanding to be allowed to “open up”.
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In the states where this virus has wrought its worst damage, lockdown has been a relatively easy sell.
An announcement this week by New York’s governor that it was now illegal to leave home without a mask barely raised an eyebrow.
With more infections than any nation, New York State knows exactly what it’s dealing with. For weeks it has been a reflex to cross the street if possible to avoid contact, a rare trip for groceries sees most standing well away from each other and many retailers are rationing entry, with long lines of masked and gloved shoppers waiting outside.
Even the local group of mums who until last week were sharing a regular frontyard quarantini happy-hour with their BYO lawn chairs set 2m apart have now ceased their get-togethers, although there are whispers the party may have shifted out the back.
People might not like it, but now that so many of us have had COVID-19 or know someone who has suffered, New Yorkers are taking it seriously.
For the rest of the United States, particularly those where authorities acted early to mitigate, the long pause is starting to chafe.
Take Michigan, where Governor Gretchen Carlson is a prominent Democrat who is being openly considered to join Joe Biden’s ticket as vice president.
After early praise that she had acted fast to tamp down the coronavirus spread, some Michiganders this week protested the continued stay-at-home order.
Given that an unhealthy percentage of Americans like to take to the streets with semiautomatic weapons strapped to their chests, this led to some particularly chilling photos and video of armed survivalist-types chanting it was time to open up the state.
Ohio, North Carolina and Oklahoma have also seen widespread protests at the continuing lockdown, some staying in their cars and honking their displeasure.
However one state that has so far refused to institute “draconian” restrictions is now paying a price that could impact the diet of most Americans.
South Dakota has seen a six-fold increase in infections since April 1 and is now home to the country’s worst outbreak, with more than 500 workers at one factory infected with the disease.
But the Sioux Falls meat processing plant is not just any factory. Responsible for five per cent of bacon-loving America’s pork production, the Smithfield Foods outlet closed indefinitely amid dire warnings from the company’s CEO.
“The closure of this facility, combined with a growing list of other protein plants that have shuttered across our industry, is pushing our country perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply,” said Kenneth Sullivan.
Originally published as Once an easy sell in the hardest-hit COVID-19 nation, US citizens are now telling governments they’ve had enough of lockdown