The State or Federal Government: Who’s in Charge During a Pandemic?
Apr 3, 2020
While both Joe and Jane Citizen and various virus experts alike continue to cry out for a national lockdown to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, Americans need to pause and consider the system of federalism on which our republic is built. One must quickly be able to answer this all-important question: Is it up to the federal government to take such measures, or is this really a question for individual states?
“In a republic, most things that fall under the purview of government can and should be done at the most local level possible in part because local officials know best what their communities need but also—and more importantly—because local residents can better hold local officials accountable for their actions. This is as true during a pandemic as it is in normal times, maybe more so,” writes John David Danielson of The Federalist.
Walter Olson, who writes for the Wall Street Journal, seems to agree. The subhead for his recent “Federalism and the Coronavirus Lockdown” article reads, “Trump can’t order the country back to normalcy by April 30 or any day. That’s for states to decide.”
Can we get an Amen?
As Fox News explains, the executive branch may be where the buck stops, but the executive branch doesn’t just include the president of the United States; it includes state governors. The conclusion from Fox is that “only a state government, with all of its personnel and resources, can apply the measures needed to stop the spread of the disease.”
In deciding for our state, on Thursday, Governor Bill Lee revised an executive order issued on Monday that closed nonessential businesses and “urged” Tennesseans to stay at home through April 14 except to address “essential activities.” Thursday’s executive order now requires rather than urges people to stay at home, again except for essential activities.
In a press conference on Thursday, Governor Lee noted, “April stands to be a very tough month for our state. COVID-19 is an imminent threat, and we need you to understand that staying home isn’t an option. It’s a requirement for the swift defeat of COVID-19 in Tennessee.”
Hopefully, we as Tennesseans can help flatten the curve.
The Coronavirus Is Making (State) Borders Great Again
The Federalist
Federalism and the Coronavirus Lockdown
Wall Street Journal
Yoo and Dhillon: Federalism vs. coronavirus — who has the power to fight pandemic?
FOX News
Gov. Bill Lee gives a coronavirus update
Tennessean’s YouTube Channel
Gov. Lee orders statewide 'Safer-at-Home' order closing nonessential businesses amid COVID-19
News Channel 5
Executive Order 22
Tennessee Secretary of State
Executive Order 23
Tennessee Secretary of State
Gov. Bill Lee orders Tennesseans to stay at home as state continues to fight spread of coronavirus
Tennessean
NOTE: FACT provides links to external websites for educational purposes only. The inclusion of any links to other websites does not necessarily constitute an endorsement.
“In a republic, most things that fall under the purview of government can and should be done at the most local level possible in part because local officials know best what their communities need but also—and more importantly—because local residents can better hold local officials accountable for their actions. This is as true during a pandemic as it is in normal times, maybe more so,” writes John David Danielson of The Federalist.
Walter Olson, who writes for the Wall Street Journal, seems to agree. The subhead for his recent “Federalism and the Coronavirus Lockdown” article reads, “Trump can’t order the country back to normalcy by April 30 or any day. That’s for states to decide.”
Can we get an Amen?
As Fox News explains, the executive branch may be where the buck stops, but the executive branch doesn’t just include the president of the United States; it includes state governors. The conclusion from Fox is that “only a state government, with all of its personnel and resources, can apply the measures needed to stop the spread of the disease.”
In deciding for our state, on Thursday, Governor Bill Lee revised an executive order issued on Monday that closed nonessential businesses and “urged” Tennesseans to stay at home through April 14 except to address “essential activities.” Thursday’s executive order now requires rather than urges people to stay at home, again except for essential activities.
In a press conference on Thursday, Governor Lee noted, “April stands to be a very tough month for our state. COVID-19 is an imminent threat, and we need you to understand that staying home isn’t an option. It’s a requirement for the swift defeat of COVID-19 in Tennessee.”
Hopefully, we as Tennesseans can help flatten the curve.
News Sources
The Coronavirus Is Making (State) Borders Great AgainThe Federalist
Federalism and the Coronavirus Lockdown
Wall Street Journal
Yoo and Dhillon: Federalism vs. coronavirus — who has the power to fight pandemic?
FOX News
Gov. Bill Lee gives a coronavirus update
Tennessean’s YouTube Channel
Gov. Lee orders statewide 'Safer-at-Home' order closing nonessential businesses amid COVID-19
News Channel 5
Executive Order 22
Tennessee Secretary of State
Executive Order 23
Tennessee Secretary of State
Gov. Bill Lee orders Tennesseans to stay at home as state continues to fight spread of coronavirus
Tennessean
NOTE: FACT provides links to external websites for educational purposes only. The inclusion of any links to other websites does not necessarily constitute an endorsement.
