Midwest City, State Officials Set New Restrictions As COVID-19 Spikes Again

Headed into the holiday season — and the next waves of COVID-19 spikes — some city and state officials are urging citizens to stay home and to refrain from gathering in person.

More than a dozen states tracked double the number of new cases of the virus in the past two weeks, many from the Midwest, Reuters reported Thursday (November 12).

The rising numbers mean that many city and state officials are setting restrictions again, or considering doing so.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, for example, announced during an address on Wednesday (November 11) that he is issuing another mask mandate. He is also considering implementing further restrictions whether to close bars, restaurants, fitness facilities and other businesses as the state enters its third wave of the pandemic.

“The real barrier, though, is still staffing,” Emergency Medical Physician Dr. Jeff Pothof, of University of Wisconsin Health in Madison, told Reuters. “We’ve been able to scrape together teams, but a lot of it is really offering bonuses and getting people who are already working too hard to work even harder.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker cautioned that a statewide shutdown could be necessary.

"The numbers don't lie," Pritzker said, according to ABC7Chicago. "If things don't take a turn in the coming days, we will quickly reach the point when some form of a mandatory stay-at-home order is all that will be left. With every fiber of my being, I do not want us to get there. But right now, that seems where we are headed."

The governor has already implemented “resurgence mitigation" efforts, including banning indoor dining, for at least a few weeks in hopes of combatting the rise of COVID-19 hospitalizations and positivity rates.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Thursday that a 30-day stay-at-home advisory would take effect Monday (November 16) at 6 a.m., among other restrictions.

Lightfoot, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady and other officials are also recommending people avoid travel if possible, and to celebrate Thanksgiving virtually.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun made similar remarks as Chicago officials, as COVID-19 cases surge in the state.

"If you are smart now, you may be able to have a safe holiday with your loved ones alive this time next year," Khaldun said.

“We are in the worst part of this pandemic to date,” Whitmer said during a briefing Thursday. “This is the moment that medical experts have been warning us about and dreading since the beginning.”

The Detroit Public Schools Community District also announced that it would transition to online learning until January 11, citing the “rapid increase in the COVID-19 infection rate” in the city.

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