It would seem that the latest casualty of the coronavirus is the U.S. Constitution.
From Florida:
“Late-night revelry simply will not be allowed” in St. Petersburg as long as the COVID-19 coronavirus is a threat, Mayor Rick Kriseman said Monday.
The mayor’s comments came while he was announcing a state of emergency for the city of St. Pete. His order, which goes into effect immediately, means no public events, weddings, sporting events, or any other gatherings that draw more than 50 people will be permitted on public or private property.
From Illinois:
The mayor of Champaign, Illinois, gave herself the power to ban the sale of guns and alcohol after declaring a citywide emergency to address the coronavirus.
Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen signed the executive order on Thursday declaring a state of emergency for the city. That executive order, which is in line with municipal code, comes with extraordinary powers for the mayor to enact over a short period of time as the city combats the spread of the coronavirus.
Among the powers Feinen gained after signing the executive order was the power to ban the sale of guns, ammunition, alcohol, and gasoline. Feinen could also cut off access to individuals’ gas, water, or electricity. The city also has the ability to “take possession of private property” or order the temporary closing of all bars or liquor stores.
Just two examples from two states, and that’s already half the amendments broken. I could go on, but I’m guessing your Twitter and Facebook feeds have been a constant barrage and you don’t need me adding to it.
But I wonder how long until you’ll be able to watch from your window as tanks and heavily armed National Guard troops march down our deserted streets. Not long, it would seem.
Don’t worry, the government has everything under control – and they are doing this only with the public good in mind.
The House of Vines 
There’s a time and place for populism and a rebellious attitude. I cannot avoid to feel this is not that place. In Europe the coronavirus spread to pandemic proportions because people did not take the situation seriously enough at first, when safety measures were far less limiting … and they exploited the temporary suspension of school and other work related activities to massively gather in bars and commercial centers… this resulted in a massive contagion wave and a lot of people suffering unnecessarily. It is sad we are asked to go along with such drastic measures but really it cannot be said it has not proved necessary, at this point.
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I actually agree with a lot of the government’s recommendations and in some cases think swifter and more decisive action was called for. The other stuff makes me really uncomfortable, especially when it’s not introduced openly but as riders on emergency legislation. (The most egregious example being the measures concerning abortion they tried to include.) And while I get what you’re saying about this possibly not being the best time for a debate on constitutional integrity, etc. I’m not sure I agree. These are precisely the times when we are most tempted to trade our liberty for the sake of security (or even just the illusion of it) and once that happens it becomes much harder to undo, which is why we’re still stuck with shit like the Patriot Act.
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