Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2020
Volume
323
First Page
3127
Abstract
The president and all 50 governors have declared health emergencies to counteract the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While researchers race to develop vaccines, officials are implementing physical distancing, including orders to stay at home, restricting travel, and closing nonessential businesses (see eFigure in the Supplement). To limit cross-border spread, more than a dozen states have issued mandatory quarantines for interstate travelers. Some models suggest physical distancing would have to persist for 3 months to mitigate the peak effects on health systems and could be required on an intermittent basis for 12 to 18 months.What legal powers do governments have? What is the role of the courts? How can public health be balanced with personal and economic rights?
Recommended Citation
Lindsay Wiley,
Governmental Public Health Powers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stay-at-home Orders, Business Closures, and Travel Restrictions,
323
Journal of the American Medical Association
3127
(2020).
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/facsch_lawrev/1860