With all states gradually reopening but monitoring for any spikes in COVID-19 cases that would impact their reopening plans, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released updated rankings for the States with the Fewest Coronavirus Restrictions, as well as accompanying videos and audio files.
To identify which states have the fewest coronavirus restrictions, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 16 key metrics. Our data set ranges from whether child-care programs and restaurants have reopened to the presence or absence of a “shelter-in-place” order. Below, you can see highlights from the report, along with a WalletHub Q&A.
Coronavirus Restrictions in New Mexico (1=Fewest, 25=Avg.):
- 17th – Requirement to Wear a Face Mask in Public
- 31st – Reopening of Child-Care Programs
- 45th – Travel Restrictions
- 35th – Large Gatherings Restrictions
- 46th – Strictness of “Shelter in Place” Order
- 23rd – Reopening of Non-Essential Businesses
- 50th – Reopening of Restaurants and Bars
Note: Rankings are based on data available as of 12:30 p.m. ET on Monday, June 22, 2020.
For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-fewest-coronavirus-restrictions/73818/
Q&A with WalletHub
How will 4th of July celebrations be impacted by states’ COVID-19 restrictions?
“States are reopening at different rates, so the degree to which 4th of July celebrations will be impacted depends on the state. Many states are only at the beginning of the reopening processes, so we can expect to see a lot of Independence Day events canceled or heavily restricted in size,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “Americans are planning on staying local for the 4th of July this year, as 74 percent will not travel, according to a recent WalletHub survey.”
How have the recent protests across the U.S. affected states’ reopening plans?
“The recent protests throughout the U.S. could both help and hurt states’ reopening efforts. On the positive side, the protests may prove to people that it’s safer to be outside than they thought, leading to more economic activity sooner. On the negative side, the protests could lead to spikes in COVID-19 cases that might force reopening delays due to public health concerns,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “Even if reopening proceeds without delay in a given area, some business owners will face setbacks unrelated to the coronavirus. The rioting that accompanied protests in some cities caused damage to businesses just as they were starting to reopen. Hopefully, damaged businesses can get back on track through insurance or government assistance.”
What should states be most mindful of when reopening?
“States should be most mindful of limiting close contact between residents even as businesses reopen, which means that state legislatures should transition from guidelines on social distancing to laws, such as requiring mask wearing in public places and limiting the number of people per square footage. States can show extra care to vulnerable populations by making sure they are accommodated with free deliveries of essential goods and exclusive hours at all businesses,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “Most importantly, state governments need to closely monitor the number of coronavirus cases, prepare for a second wave, and adjust further reopening plans if needed to avoid too much of a strain on hospitals.”
Why does South Dakota rank as the state with the fewest coronavirus restrictions?
“South Dakota ranks as the state with the fewest coronavirus restrictions because it has issued no COVID-19-related guidance or requirements for assisted living facilities and has completely removed all limitations on large gatherings,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “South Dakota is among just six states that didn’t tell people to shelter in place order during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is the only state that didn’t require bars and restaurants to close.”
New York has experienced the most coronavirus cases in the U.S. How has that impacted the state’s restrictions?
“New York ranks as No. 5 for the most coronavirus restrictions in the U.S.,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “New York is one of only nine states that still have some form of quarantine in place, and it currently allows gatherings of only 25 people or fewer. New York recommends workplace temperature screenings in order to help catch potential cases of COVID-19, too.”
MORE FROM THE FGGAM MEDIA CENTER:
EGO STANDS FOR EDGING GOD OUT!
Governor Praises Special Session
How long must children suffer, how long must our education system want, how long should our seniors lack care before we decide we must do better. New Mexico has been hurting for decades and we all know it. This Legislative Session has been a perfect example of the lack of leadership. New Mexicans must matter more to Legislators than New York political influence. Let’s work together for our children’s future.
RINGSIDE SEAT Nothing special but the chaos in this session
From Yesterday………..
Here is my response to the FGGAM’s post about the NM Special session: “The lack of a cohesive sense of unity and the fractured leadership at the federal level, and now the state of affairs in our beautiful State of New Mexico, with only one voice ever being allowed to be heard (and in this session, even that was prearranged and not allowed to be reviewed until after the session began) makes me physically sick and spiritually moved. Not one bill from the GOP was even allowed to be considered, let alone passed. I never thought I’d see the day that being proud to be an American is bad, protecting our border is bad, history is bad, oil/gas production and self-sufficiency is bad, integrity in the “sacred” right to vote is bad, and low unemployment is bad. Or that I’d see the day that the freedoms for which so many died are snuffed out, essentially, by a single person predicated upon keeping medical facilities from being overrun, when even after that risk has abated, courts continue to sustain a system where one person tells two million persons how they will be “allowed” to worship, live, work, eat and recreate (and in some cases, die) or face charges. It’s not like we suffered a nuclear attack requiring a civil emergency due to fallout. It’s hard to decide if I should be angry, embarrassed or sad, but of infinitely more importance, if the Truth is a Person (and He is), then let’s seek His guidance in all things, including how civil government views those for whom it has responsibility. Let’s seek the wisdom, reconciliation, compassion, deference and joy (read: our strength) only available through faith in Jesus Christ! Let His power be our power, not our political parties and system or secular humanism.”
Chuck Akeley
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Here is what Chuck is referring to……….
Santa Fe- Today is Monday, June 22, the fifth day of the 2020 special legislative session. The House of Representatives could possibly be here through Wednesday. The Senate on the other hand, finished their work on Saturday afternoon.
The session has been marred with confusion, lapses in public transparency, and has revealed cracks in the cohesion within the majority’s ranks. This has caused the Speaker to resort to “breaking arms” behind closed doors to ensure party discipline.
The special session was scheduled following three months of excuses by the Governor as to why solving our historic budget crisis was delayed. It appears the Governor is more interested in preserving her record 20% increase to state spending rather than trying to address the $2 billion revenue shortfall.
Prior to the special session, the Governor and progressive legislators tried to frame the session as an opportunity to provide hyper-focus on fixing the budget and addressing the serious economic ramifications following the Governor’s forced shutdown of the economy. Yet, just hours before the session was to begin, the Governor revealed a slate of hyper-partisan legislation designed to enhance the Governor’s power and further her radical agenda.
The public and legislators alike, were not allowed to read the text of any of the legislation the Governor deemed worthy of consideration until nearly three hours after both chambers gaveled in to begin their work. Much of the session was derailed by significant technical issues that prevented public webcasting; further limiting public access following a decision to prevent the public from entering the building to watch committee and chamber debates.
“I think lawmakers and the public are both in shock that this special session has been marred by such partisan tactics while our economy implodes,” said House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (Artesia). “The Speaker should be embarrassed that we will waste more taxpayer funds to finish work that the Senate completed in three days. People are struggling to make ends meet, fighting to get government assistance, and businesses are closing. We were elected to make tough decisions and the only tough decision I saw made was to allow legislators to be paid while they sit at home.”
The main budget bill was passed without House Republican support due to bipartisan concerns that the continuing economic ramifications will be far worse as the year continues and will lead to massive cuts in government spending while setting the stage for significant tax increases on New Mexicans.
The only win for New Mexicans thus far has been to prevent the tax department from levying fines and penalties on taxpayers due to the Governor’s shutdown of essential government agencies and the private sector.
“There is a reason why Republicans call this session smoke and mirrors. We simply did not do enough to protect New Mexicans from massive tax increases that the majority obviously plans for January,” said House Republican Whip Rod Montoya (Farmington). “The real losers of this session are the businesses, workers and law enforcement who will pay the price for this lack of leadership.”
From earlier today……..
Just to be clear, the Legislative Session did not end last night for the House of Representatives. We tried to end it but the progressives wanted to continue wasting a few more dollars. (The estimated cost for the session is about $50,000 per day).
Every Republican Bill was never heard. The speaker sent those Bills out of order to the Rules Committee to die. He never allowed the Rules Committee to reconvene. Purposely ignored the constituents of those representatives districts to force his political pressure, I am sure as he was instructed to by the Governor.
The Speaker ignored rules to advance his personally sponsored and promoted Bills. For example, House Rule 11-14-2 requires the Speaker to send Bills with appropriations to House Appropriations Committee for review. He knows that, he chose to ignore the rules so his political agenda could be quickly advanced.
On another occasion, 14 democratic legislators voted with Republicans to oppose a politically charged election bill change. That is when all hell broke loose. The speaker immediately picked up his phone called one of his Chairmen and had them move to Reconsider the Bill and adjourned to a Caucus meeting. Two hours later those legislators, with their heads held low, filed into the Chambers and enough of them changed their votes to Pass the Bill.
This is a perfect example of why New Mexico is so far behind the curve. In almost every ranked category; education, deployment of capital, seniors well being, children living in poverty New Mexico is ranked nearly last out of all 50 States and has been for years and years and we will continue being ranked last until change occurs and the people of New Mexico are allowed to speak through their representatives.
So on Monday morning, the House of Representatives will go back into Session alone, the Senate adjourned last night and went home, the House will reconvene and hear a memorial and a couple of other progressive bills and possible adjourn.
Representative Bandy of San Juan, on his last day of attending the Legislature, he is retiring, made the motion to Sine Di, but in unison that side looked to their progressive leader to see how to vote and followed their political orders as instructed. I’ll be glad, when the will of the people is more important than to whims of political leaders then and only then will the well being of New Mexicans be better.
Remember in November and vote for a change, vote for New Mexico, together we can make a difference that improves the lives of every New Mexican.
I am so very thankful that I have my Sharon and the kids and Daisy and my Church family and the many friends we have through FGGAM……many Americans do not have a Church family for one reason or another.
One more thought…we were talking at Church yesterday about social media…… we all agreed that social media is 50% bad….or more? It sure can spread hate and fake news…..here at FGGAM we stay on social media because God says to shine his light, to bring the truth!
Watch Joni’s Latest Video!As our nation confronts injustice and brokenness, God sees our pain, and he is touched by our tears. The Lord longs to give healing and hope. Watch Joni’s Latest Video! |
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