Source: Town Hall
by Debbie Wuthnow
“At the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, I remember how surreal it felt when state and local officials across the country issued orders to ‘shelter in place’. At that time, we knew so little about the novel coronavirus, but the news coverage of massive deaths in Europe made these government orders seem reasonable, if drastic. Businesses closed. Schools shut down. Churches cancelled. Streets emptied. We were told to wear surgical masks and practice social distancing when in public — only venturing out for ‘essential activities,’ of course. Some cities and counties even threatened fines and jail time for those who didn’t comply. As we grappled with overcrowded hospitals and climbing death tolls, decisions made by local governments regulated our lives longer than we’d ever thought possible in America.” (08/23/25)