In this analysis at the Harvard Law Review blog, Constitutional scholar Anthony Michael Kreis says state policies implementing de facto travel restrictions on people from other states may raise Constitutional concerns but are likely to be upheld. Last week, PresidentRead More
This article discusses how, unlike China and Italy, United States law requires that states be responsible for most actions taken to address outbreaks. Social distancing measures, such as so-called “safer-at-home” or “stay-at-home” orders, represent one of the most important andRead More
This story describes the city’s new mandate through April 30 that people entering buildings other than their own home take steps to cover their mouth and nose. The city of Laredo, Texas has passed an order requiring that anyone overRead More
This article discusses the President’s Coronavirus Task Force estimate that by strictly following extended social distancing and hygiene-related recommendations nationwide, the number of U.S. Coronavirus outbreak deaths can be held to 100,000, but that number could go much higher withRead More
This article discusses a New Hampshire court decision that found the governor’s emergency powers permit banning gatherings of more than 50 people, even if such actions infringe on people’s speech, assembly, and religious rights. The New Hampshire governor’s Emergency OrderRead More
This article discusses a legal challenge filed against the Houston area stay-at-home order barring large, in-person gatherings for church services. Public health emergency response powers historically have permitted such restrictions. While to date Texas has not implemented a statewide stay-at-homeRead More
The DHS designated firearm shop employees essential, while Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts have challenged. The Department of Homeland Security issued guidance recently designated firearm shop employees essential workers. Last week, a split Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied a petition byRead More
Local law enforcement in Florida and Illinois have arrested individuals for endangering others during the outbreak. A pastor of a Tampa Bay-area megachurch was arrested and jailed by the local sheriff for holding two large live Sunday services at hisRead More
Multiple states (including TX, RI, MA, FL) have adopted policies restricting travel into their states from outbreak hot spots. While Texas has not yet adopted a state-wide shelter-in-place policy, they have established a policy ordering a 14-day self-quarantine for anyRead More
This expert-authored report lays out multi-tiered path out from sheltering-in-place through recovery to reinforcing our response infrastructure. When will it be ok to begin loosening the stay-at-home restrictions currently in place, and when will things get back to normal? ARead More