COVID-19 and the Carolinas: State Responses and Federal Legislation to Address the Crisis

Published April 8, 2020

The rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic has brought much of the world to a halt. Increasing infection rates have led to stronger state and local actions to impose social distancing on a grand scale, including cancellation of large gatherings, school closures, restrictions on restaurants and bars for dining in, closures of many types of businesses, and stay-at-home orders in 42 states including both Carolinas.

Abstract

The rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic has brought much of the world to a halt. Increasing infection rates have led to stronger state and local actions to impose social distancing on a grand scale, including cancellation of large gatherings, school closures, restrictions on restaurants and bars for dining in, closures of many types of businesses, and stay-at-home orders in 42 states including both Carolinas. Congress passed three major pieces of legislation in March 2020 to fund public health efforts to stem the spread of the virus, help those impacted by the economic slowdown, and support an economy in freefall. To aid decision makers, the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) and South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health (IMPH) released a joint brief that examines the COVID-19 pandemic and how recent state action and Federal legislation may assist communities and residents in the Carolinas.

Other briefs in this series are available at the following links:

Part II (May 2020)

Part III (February 2021)

Part IV (April 2021)