HACKER Q&A
📣 quietthrow

Why is CA not closing it’s borders?


Federal govt is too busy trying to get re-elected. Their answer to everything is money and “economic stimulus”. States like NY are still debating if a shelter in place is worth it. Meanwhile Ststes like CA that are ahead of the curve (shoutout to Gov Newsom for his leadership and decisive action) will be impacted due to incompetence of leaders in other states.

Italy has shown what happens when you act even a little late. US are currently number 5 or so on countries with most infection. The rate at which we are going as a nation we will pass Italy in number of infections in the next few days.

Does CA have the right to close it’s borders or is that a federal govt decision that cannot be made by a state?


  👤 twunde Accepted Answer ✓
The federal government is in charge of managing interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, so legally CA probably doesn't have the right to close its borders (this was used in Katzenbach v McClung as legal justification for the federal government banning seperate whites and colored sections in restaurants https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katzenbach_v._McClung). Additionally some of the border traffic is for critical items such as food, medical supplies, gas, etc.

👤 wsh
Aside from the legalities, with COVID-19 already circulating in the neighboring states, would the practical benefit of closing California’s borders, to stop a few people still traveling for non-essential reasons, outweigh the costs?

Enforcing a closure at the land borders would tie up numerous law enforcement or National Guard personnel, who could be performing other important duties, such as enforcing health regulations and maintaining public order.

If the closure weren’t total—and given the interstate supply chains for food and medical supplies, I doubt one could remain so for long—it would also create highway congestion, impeding the movement of these and other essential goods. There are only so many trucks and drivers, and they need to be kept moving, not held up in long lines at checkpoints.


👤 ohiovr
I suggested to the governor of Ohio in an email that he consider shutting Ohio's borders down like the EU is trying to do with member states. I bet reading that gave DeWine shivers. But unpopular actions are going to be necessary to slow this down. My suggestion alone would cause economic disaster. Cuomo said this is going to be a test of character for all of us. I pray people can come together in one mind for the nation.

👤 yongjik
California has 1,044 patients, Oregon 114, Nevada 109, Arizona 63.

Are you saying CA should close its borders to stop the virus spreading to neighboring states?


👤 fsb
Not sure where you’re getting ‘fed govt is too busy trying to get re-elected’ from. The Fed has been out in front of this since Dec, way before the states started acting.

Newsome can do whatever he wants, practically, without waiting on the Fed. The fact that he hasn’t done that yet means it’s not easy to do and even harder to enforce. I would have no idea how he could even enforce something like that.