As coronavirus surges, GOP lawmakers are moving to limit public health powers

Eighteen months ago, few people expected an infection that was so fatal, so secretly spread, or so disproportionate to certain groups like the coronavirus. Because the responsibility for protecting public health historically rested with state and local governments, many governors turned to general emergency powers intended for disruptive but short-lived events such as forest fires or tornadoes. As the pandemic persisted, they strengthened their powers and many GOP lawmakers resisted.