Among the states where the spread of the virus is most worrisome now, Illinois recorded its highest daily case count of the pandemic on Friday, and its highest death toll since June.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who was lauded for tamping down the virus in the spring, voiced frustration on Sunday that the public seemed to be giving up on safety guidelines.
People are not following the mitigations, he said on the CNN program State of the Union.
Governor Pritzker, a Democrat, faulted President Trump for modeling bad behavior by not wearing a mask in public and by holding rallies without safety precautions. The president has made it nearly impossible for states to open up any more than they are now, he said.
He also argued that restaurants and bars that did not enforce safety guidelines were fostering a false sense of security. When people stop by and they see that, well, no one else is wearing a mask, maybe thats OK, he said. Its not OK.
Even so, the governor declined to say whether the state would reimpose tighter restrictions statewide to fight the surge in cases.
Other officials appeared to share his struggle, imploring the public for voluntary compliance while holding back from ordering mandates. The strategy, meant to minimize public blowback, has not appeared to be particularly effective at slowing the virus.
Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, a Republican, has issued emotional pleas week after week for residents to wear masks, but has refused to make the practice mandatory. The Associated Press reported that even some of his supporters want him to take more aggressive action against the virus.read more
As the Virus Surges, Stark Differences Over What Is Around the Corner
