Trump Leaves the Option of Quarantine Widely in the Hands of State Governors; What That Means for Bethel

MISHAWAKA – President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, April 1, said that, though he and the members of his cabinet had discussed the issue of a national shutdown, they would ultimately leave the decision of quarantine up to the states and their governors. On the same day, Surgeon General Jerome Adams said, “We trust the governors and the mayors to understand whether or not they feel like they can trust the people in their states to make the right decisions.” 

This being the case, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, at a press conference on Friday, April 3, extended the public health emergency for the state of Indiana for 30 more days, the new end date being May 3.Indiana’s state-wide stay-at-home-order has been extended for two weeks more, continuing through April 20. The Bethel campus will remain closed until that time. 

Though leaving the more definitive decisions to the governors, Trump and his administration have made the general guidelines very clear for all Americans: stay inside as much as possible, work from home if possible and avoid large groups of people. Despite adhering to the nation’s federalist modus operandi, the absence of a response on a national level has some lawmakers and government officials concerned about the spread of the virus, especially considering individuals who, though not exhibiting any symptoms, are still transmitting the virus by being out in public. 

Though all of these official measures are being enacted, they all follow from the same general advice that Bethel University students have undoubtedly been hearing for the past few weeks: practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. The stay-at-home orders and self-isolation practices that both state governors and President Trump are recommending all stem from those basic practices; if students stick to following those rules and any state laws that might accompany them, they will be minimizing their risk and others’ to the virus.