Since
Covid-19 hit US shores, Republican governors in the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains have largely taken a hands-off approach. The results of that strategy have been poor. When adjusted for population, no states have had more new Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths over the past seven days than North and South Dakota. The nearby states of Iowa, Wyoming, Nebraska and Idaho are not far behind.
This surge has pushed hospitals to the brink even as businesses have struggled to keep up a healthy work force. In response, several of these governors have acknowledged the failures of their permissive strategies and pushed for stricter health rules and mask mandates to prevent the virus's spread.
"We've relied on people to be responsible," Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said Friday, "and they're being irresponsible."
Yet other governors, including in South Dakota, have continued to resist taking actions like requiring masks.
Here's a look at how these governors have dealt with the fall surge.
