Biosecurity

America begins drinking at home

Tuesday is St. Patrick’s Day, but millions of Americans will have to tip their glasses in their apartments and houses.

A succession of states joined other parts of the country Monday in announcing closures of restaurants, bars and other venues, further disrupting the lives of everyday Americans and businesses as governors take increasingly more drastic measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

The swift action follows the implementation of similar measures in Ohio, Illinois, California and Massachusetts and weekend guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending the cancellation or postponement of events with crowds larger than 50 people for the next two months.

While New York, New Jersey and Connecticut took joint action as a unified region, other states like Michigan, Maryland, Indiana, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Washington state moved independently to shutter dine-in service at bars and restaurants and patronage at other popular venues.