[Washington Examiner] Cities and entire states have gone on lockdown in the past week as officials work to stem the rapid spread of the coronavirus, sequestering at least 75 million people in their homes.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a statewide stay-at-home order Thursday night, and other governors followed suit within hours. Andrew Cuomo of New York, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, all Democrats, issued similar orders Friday, telling people to stay in their homes unless to go to "essential" businesses only, including pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, gas stations, and child care services.
President Trump applauded Govs. Cuomo and Newsom in Friday’s White House press briefing for taking "strong, bold steps" to stem the outbreak, while National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci said he "strongly supports" the governors’ actions.
Meanwhile, officials in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Washington state, and more have ordered all bars and restaurants to close.
The most recent announcement came from Pritzker, who told reporters in Illinois that the order would last until April 7.
"I fully recognize that, in some cases, I am choosing between people’s lives and saving people’s livelihood," Pritzker said in a news conference. "But, ultimately, you can’t have a livelihood if you don’t have your life." 
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