American life is grinding to a halt during the coronavirus outbreak as people are being urged — or even being ordered by state and local governments — to stay inside as much as possible.
In both New York City and Los Angeles, bars and restaurants have been ordered to close almost completely, with service only for delivery or takeout. Movie theaters in both cities have also been shut down.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has just ordered similar restaurant closures on a statewide basis. And in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered a reduced occupancy of 50% in restaurants and is urging people over 65-years-old or with chronic health conditions to stay inside.
Schools are also closing across the country, which could place a secondary strain on doctors and nurses in need of child care services. In many places, the school closings could potentially go all the way through the academic year.
Disney World has also shut down — though as a promotion of sorts, the company is releasing the hit movie Frozen 2 onto its Disney+ streaming service three months ahead of schedule to help keep all those parents and children entertained.
Despite the growing list of changes to everyday life in the U.S., there are still voices in right-wing media who claim this is all a giant conspiracy to hurt President Donald Trump or to destroy America and its freedoms, instead urging people to ignore guidance from “big government” and medical experts to practice social distancing:
Former Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Sheriff David Clarke
Former New York City police commissioner and recent Trump pardon recipient Bernard Kerik
Racist media figure Katie Hopkins
Right-wing radio host Todd Starnes
The Wall Street Journal’s Matthew Hennessey
Anti-Muslim bigot Pamela Geller
Right-wing radio host Mark Simone
Former NRATV host Grant Stinchfield
American Family Radio’s Bryan Fischer
Conservative Review’s Daniel Horowitz
Right-wing radio host Bill Mitchell
Pro-Trump conspiracy theory blog The Gateway Pundit
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