Government Response to Covid-19: Federal Responsibility or State Issue

In light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Americans are anxiously waiting governmental action. Naturally, many Americans look to President Trump as a barometer of the federal response to implement measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 and eventually bring the pandemic to a halt. However, many misunderstand that state governments play an arguably important role. Possessing the police power of government, the states are properly situated to not only order isolation and quarantine measures, but empower state officials to close restaurants, businesses, and even mobilize their National Guard. Thus, the purpose of this presentation is to carefully analyze the powers given to both the federal government and the states, to argue that any invocation of mandatory quarantines, or even martial law, by the federal government would be an unprecedented use of national force.