Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: February 5, 2021


Documenting America's Path to Recovery by Ballotpedia

The next 72 hours

What is changing in the next 72 hours?

  • Alabama (Republican trifecta): Individuals age 65 and older and certain frontline essential workers (including corrections officers and grocery store staff) will be eligible to receive vaccinations starting Feb. 8. Currently, appointments are limited to individuals age 75 and older.
  • Colorado (Democratic trifecta): Individuals age 65 and older and school staff will be eligible to be vaccinated starting Feb. 8. Currently, only people age 70 and older are eligible.
  • Indiana (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Feb. 4, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box announced that new quarantine rules for schools will take effect Feb. 8. The new rules allow teachers and students exposed to someone with the virus to forgo a 14-day quarantine if they were at least three feet apart and wore a face covering.
  • Louisiana (divided government): Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced individuals age 65 and older will be eligible for the vaccine starting Feb. 8. Currently, appointments are limited to individuals age 70 and older.
  • Massachusetts (divided government): On Thursday, Feb. 4, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced the state would ease some coronavirus restrictions beginning Monday, Feb. 8. On that day, the capacity limits placed on businesses like bars and gyms will increase from 25% to 40%. 
  • Michigan (divided government): On Thursday, Feb. 4, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) announced she was easing restrictions on high school indoor contact sports beginning Monday, Feb. 7. The order specifies that masks must be worn during play. If students do not wear masks, they’re required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing. 
  • South Carolina (Republican trifecta): Gov. Henry McMaster (R) announced individuals age 65 and older will be able to schedule vaccination appointments starting Feb. 8. Currently, appointments are limited to individuals age 70 and older.
  • South Dakota (Republican trifecta): On Feb. 3, the South Dakota Department of Health announced that people age 75 and older will be eligible for vaccination starting Feb. 8. Previously, Phase 1D only allowed people age 80 and over to receive a vaccine. 

Since our last edition

What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here.

  • Florida (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Jan Feb. 4, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced a new interfaith vaccine campaign that will include synagogues and Islamic centers. The state has previously held vaccine clinics at churches around the state.  
  • Nevada (Democratic trifecta): On Thursday, Feb. 4, Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) announced the Equity and Fairness Initiative, which he said “will work with Clark County Emergency Management and Southern Nevada Health District to clarify prioritization lanes, support fair access to vaccines through site selection, and equitable allocation across communities.” 
  • New Jersey (Democratic trifecta): Food and drink establishments and entertainment and recreational venues (like casinos and gyms) can increase capacity from 25% to 35%, starting Feb. 5. The order also lifts the 10 p.m. nightly indoor dining curfew, which had been in place since Nov. 12. 
  • New York (Democratic trifecta): On Feb. 3, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the Yankee Stadium mass vaccination site is beginning to administer vaccines to Bronx residents who meet the state’s Phase 1a and 1b eligibility requirements starting Feb. 5. The site will offer 15,000 appointments during the first week.
  • Utah (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Feb. 4, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) announced that people age 65 and older will be eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines on March 1. He also announced that Utahns age 18 and older with specific, state-identified medical conditions, such as HIV or certain kinds of cancers, will also become eligible. 
  • Wisconsin (divided government): On Thursday, Feb. 4, the Wisconsin state Assembly voted 52-42 on a resolution to end the statewide mask mandate and coronavirus public health emergency. In response, Gov. Tony Evers (D) immediately issued two new orders reestablishing the public health emergency and mask mandate. All Democrats and seven Republicans voted against the resolution. The Assembly was set to vote on the resolution last week, but Speaker Robin Vos (R) postponed the vote after a memo was released that said repealing the public health emergency could jeopardize federal funding for the state’s food stamps program. To avoid that possibility, Republicans included an amendment that allows Evers to issue public health orders for the purpose of securing federal funding. The Senate planned to vote on adopting the amendment Friday, Feb. 5.