|
|
|
Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at:
-
Changes in coronavirus restrictions in New Jersey
-
Updated spectator event guidance in Washington
-
Vaccine distribution
-
School closures and reopenings
-
Travel restrictions
-
Federal responses
-
COVID-19 policy changes from this time last year
We are committed to keeping you updated on everything from mask requirements to vaccine-related policies. We will keep you abreast of major developments—especially those affecting your daily life. Want to know what we covered yesterday? Click here. |
|
|
|
BALLOTPEDIA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The next 24 hours
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is changing in the next 24 hours?
Kentucky (divided government): Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced on May 7 that all events and businesses serving fewer than 1,000 people at once can expand to 75% capacity on May 28. On the same day, indoor and outdoor venues with more than 1,000 people can expand to 60% capacity.
New Jersey (Democratic trifecta):
-
On May 28, the state’s indoor mask requirement will be lifted for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Masks will still be required in state offices open to the public, schools and childcare centers, on public transportation, and in health care settings. The six-foot social distancing requirement will end on the same day. Dance floors and standing service at bars and restaurants will also be permitted.
-
On May 26, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued an executive order, effective June 4, lifting requirements for businesses and nonprofits to accommodate remote work as much as possible and reduce on-site staff to the minimum necessary workforce. The order also says businesses closed to the public can allow workers who provide proof of vaccination to not wear masks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Since our last edition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here.
Georgia (Republican trifecta): On Wednesday, May 26, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring proof of vaccination to access facilities or receive services. The order also says no proof of vaccination will be required to enter Georgia.
Indiana (Republican trifecta): On Wednesday, May 26, Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) announced state employees will be required to return to the office by July 6. Holcomb said agency heads and supervisors will return June 7, while other employees should spend at least 50% of their time in the office by June 21.
New York (Democratic trifecta):
-
On Wednesday, May 26, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a vaccine incentive program for 12 to 17 year-olds that would enter them into a random drawing to receive a full scholarship to any New York state public college or university. Individuals in the age group receiving a vaccine starting May 27 will be entered into a random drawing, from which 10 winners a week will be selected over five weeks for a total of 50 winners.
-
On May 26, Cuomo announced businesses can open to full capacity for vaccinated individuals. Businesses can also open to 50% vaccinated and 50% unvaccinated individuals, with social distancing required among unvaccinated people.
Texas (Republican trifecta): On Wednesday, May 26, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that groups of five or more people can now participate in the State Mobile Vaccine Program. Under the program, groups of people can call the state vaccine hotline and schedule a mobile vaccine clinic. Previously, the program had been available only to organizations with 20 or more employees.
Washington (Democratic trifecta): On Wednesday, May 26, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) released updated spectator event guidance. Under the new rules, the occupancy limit for outdoor venues increased from 25% to 50%, with no more than 9,000 spectators allowed. Inslee also removed a requirement that vaccinated spectators have a separate entrance/exit. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vaccine distribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We last looked at vaccine distribution in the May 25 edition of the newsletter. As of May 26, the states with the highest vaccination rates as a percentage of total population (including children) were:
The states with the lowest rates were:
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
School closures and reopenings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read more: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2020-2021 academic year
We last looked at school closures and reopenings on May 20. Since then, no states changed school reopening guidelines. Nationwide:
Nationwide:
-
Two states (Del., Hawaii) and Washington, D.C. had state-ordered regional school closures, required closures for certain grade levels, or allowed hybrid instruction only.
-
2016-17 enrollment: 403,664 students (0.80% of students nationwide)
-
Thirteen states had state-ordered in-person instruction.
-
2016-17 enrollment: 15,432,755 students (30.51% of students nationwide)
-
One state (Ariz.) had state-ordered in-person instruction for certain grades.
-
2016-17 enrollment: 1,123,137 students (2.22% of students nationwide)
-
Thirty-four states left decisions to schools or districts.
-
2016-17 enrollment: 33,628,303 students (66.48% of students nationwide)
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal responses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read more: Political responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
-
On May 26, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to sotrovimab, a single-dose monoclonal antibody therapy for treating COVID-19 in adults and children 12 years and older. GlaxoSmithKline, a British pharmaceutical company, developed the drug with Vir Biotechnology, a U.S.-based biotechnology company.
-
On May 20, the FDA extended the length of time the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can be stored in refrigerators from five days to one month.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This time last year: Thursday, May 28, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020. But it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout March and April, many states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, and changed election dates. Many of those policies remain in place today. Each week, we’ll look back at some of the defining policy responses of the early coronavirus pandemic.
Here's what happened this time last year. To see a list of all policy changes in each category, click the links below.
Thursday, May 28, 2020:
-
Travel restrictions:
-
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) announced she was modifying the quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers to permit some business travel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Access to Ballotpedia is free 365 days per year... but Ballotpedia is not free to operate. Every dollar given to Ballotpedia helps ensure we continue to expand our coverage of all elections in the United States. Provide your support today and give the gift of unbiased political and policy information to all Ballotpedia readers. |
|
|
|
|
|
