With more than 70 million people in three states told to remain in their homes, the mounting nationwide bid to blunt the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic translates to at least one in five Americans being homebound indefinitely.
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California, New York and Illinois led the way in requesting their residents socially distance themselves from the highly contagious virus – which has infected more than 275,000 worldwide and caused more than 11,400 deaths – by remaining in their homes, The Washington Post reported.
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In addition to essentially shuttering three of the largest cities in the United States -- Los Angeles, New York and Chicago -- other states and cities began following suit within hours of these high-profile requests, the Post reported.
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According to the Post and The New York Times, some of the major announcements included:
• California residents awoke Friday to new rules – issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom – closing the state’s nonessential retail shops and strict restrictions limiting outdoor movement.
• New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday ordered nonessential businesses to allow workers to stay home. The executive order takes effect at 8 p.m. Sunday.
• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a statewide “stay at home” order on Friday, requesting all 12 million residents leave their homes only when absolutely necessary.
• Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont issued an order similar Cuomo’s.
• Both Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler signaled on Friday that similar movement-limiting measures are en route for the state’s 4.2 million residents.
• New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a stay at home order on Friday, requesting the city’s 390,000 residents go out for “critical needs only.”
• New Jersey Gov. Philip Murphy is expected to order the closure of all nonessential businesses today.
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