On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newson issued a statewide “stay at home” order to residents, telling them to leave their homes only when necessary during the coronavirus pandemic. The restriction is the first to encompass all 40 million California residents in the state.
“Californians must do what is necessary to meet this moment and help bend the curve,” Newsom said during a late afternoon briefing. “It’s time for all of us to recognize as individuals and as a community we need to do more,” Newsom added.
The statewide order came just hours after Newsom said he expects the virus will infect more than half of California residents over the next eight weeks. He has asked Congress for $1 billion in federal funds to support the state’s medical response. In a separate letter to U.S. Senate and House leaders, Newsom said the financial aid is critical to the state’s ability to procure ventilators and other medical supplies, activate state-run hospitals, deploy mobile hospitals and meet other healthcare needs.
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