The Advisory

On Nov. 13, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a travel advisory by live your aloha in light of recent coronavirus spikes. This past week, the state of California reached a total of 1 million cases, and chances are that it will continue to climb. Governor Newsom describes that it has increased pressure on hospitals, which can lead to greater risks for “seniors, essential workers, and vulnerable Californians.”

This advisory urges people traveling from out of state or internationally to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. Furthermore, it recommends Covid-19 screening in Los Angeles and limit interactions with immediate household.

In addition to this, the advisory defines “essential” and “non-essential” travel for reference. It states that “travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature” to be non-essential. Meanwhile, essential travel includes “work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate health care, and safety and security.”

Regulate or Recommend?

A constant trend through the entirety of the pandemic is the debate over regulation. Especially during the early months of the pandemic, many protested the closing of businesses, lockdowns, and even masks. It is likely because of its controversial nature, that states like California issued simply an “advisory” rather than a mandate.

The question this raises is whether this is the reason why cases persist, or if it is simply impossible to have such requirements in a nation like the U.S. Recent reports state that Australia recorded 0 cases for the first time in five months. It is primarily because of their strict lockdowns and their citizens’ compliance that they have begun to completely reopen their major cities. So, what makes this so difficult in the United States?

This mostly stems from both how large the U.S. is as well as the culture established. Given the size of the U.S. in addition to 50 different state governments, it is difficult to establish nation-wide mandates. In addition to this, the mindset on individual rights among many in the nation creates strong opposition towards full regulation.

With this in mind, the future of the pandemic in the U.S. remains uncertain. Although, the travel advisory likely signals increased directives in California to combat this new wave. However, with a new vaccine on the horizon, there is hope for the end across the globe.