The big news here in Chicago is described in this report from WGN TV:
CHICAGO – A video going viral on social media reportedly shows people attending a crowded house party in Chicago early Sunday in violation of the state’s stay-at-home order.
Posted live to Facebook by Tink Purcell, the video appears to show people partying and listening to music while standing shoulder-to-shoulder inside a home in the early hours of Sunday morning.
While some people in the video are wearing masks, most are not, and everyone in it is breaking social distancing recommendations issued by the state to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Chicago Police Department could not confirm the exact location of the party, but many residents told WGN it possibly took place on the West Side. On Sunday afternoon, CPD issued the following statement:
We are aware of a video circulating on social media depicting a large house party inside of an alleged Chicago residence. While we cannot authenticate the nature or location of the gathering, we want to remind everyone of the social distancing requirements in place. CPD will disperse crowds in violation of social distancing requirements, and if necessary, issue citations or as a last resort, enforce via arrest.
I don’t think that what’s going to happen if the “stay at home” directives stay in place long enough is that people will become depressed. I think that people will stop complying with the “stay at home” directives. We’ve already been under such a directive for about six weeks. The rules have always been too arbitrary. Lawn services are an “essential business”? Non-emergent city tree-trimming is essential? Non-compliance by city workers is widespread if not universal. Mayor Lightfoot, clean up your own house.
“. I think that people will stop complying with the “stay at home†directives.”
Agree. It is a shame that we have not had the leadership to take advantage of this time.
Steve
And its over?
Judge apparently ruled that the Governor’s emergency authority lapsed on April 9th. It will be appealed, perhaps directly to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Another case in point of our lazy, incompetent legislature. Basically, they just don’t give a damn as long as they get re-elected.
Unless there’s an emergency stay, that would mean that nothing the governor did under his emergency powers after April 9 was legitimate.
The lockdowns are over everywhere. Ohio will phase in a release over May 1 through 12. Texas will do something similar. Other states will see widw spread civil disobedience.
This may well lead to more deaths, but it will save the economy. No Great Depression II. Thank God!
Will you please get an edit function for comments? Please?
Test edited
I commented that ordering the lockdown would not be legally challenged… it would be when to lift it.
Given how clear the letter of the law is; could officials be stripped of qualified immunity in any civil lawsuits over actions after April 9th?
I haven’t seen the order, but it sounds like the judge ruled that the current stay-at-home order remains in effect, but the one set to begin May 1st is temporarily restrained. So, he may not have ruled that on April 9th, the emergency power lapsed, which was the plaintiff’s theory. Also, the Plaintiff’s standing was based upon the injury from the stay-at-home order, so it may only be the extension of that order which was at issue. So without seeing the order, the bottom line appears to be that the relief is narrow (the future order), but the implications may be much larger. And of course an appeal is promised.
Proceed at your own risk.
I suppose it’s worth saying one more time. Non-compliance for any number of reasons was predictable from day one, and doomed the strategy. If it’s not human nature it’s certainly American nature. It’s kind of like slow motion herd immunity taking hold, except with disastrous side effects.
In a country of ~330 million you will find anything if you look hard enough. There’s a lot of selection bias going on thanks to social media and a press that chases clicks and outrage. One house party in a metro area of ~9 million isn’t that big of a deal, but queue the outrage.