The Pandemic’s Odd Legacy: A Look Back at Divisive Mandates and Unexpected Consequences
Five years have passed since the initial nationwide lockdowns that marked the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period now remembered for everything from toilet paper shortages to a confusing array of government mandates. Fox News Digital revisited some of the most controversial of these measures, those that sparked fierce debate and, in some eyes, defied common sense.
The face of the pandemic response, Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was a constant presence throughout both the Trump and Biden administrations. A veteran of the government since 1968, having been appointed to his NIH position by President Ronald Reagan, Fauci often found himself the target of criticism for what many perceived as inconsistent or questionable guidance.
One of the most significant points of contention revolved around mask-wearing. Critics frequently highlighted apparent shifts in Fauci’s stance, emphasizing the certainty with which he announced each seemingly contradictory development.
In March 2020, during an interview with "60 Minutes," Fauci cautioned against the widespread use of masks, citing the potential for "unintended consequences." He suggested that frequent touching and adjusting of masks could actually increase the spread of germs and viruses. "People keep fiddling with the mask and they keep touching their face," he explained, warning of the risks associated with excessive fidgeting.
However, soon after this initial statement, and for much of the remainder of the pandemic, Fauci became a staunch advocate for universal mask-wearing in public settings. He even suggested the possibility of "doubling up" on masks, a recommendation that drew criticism from some physicians who argued that excessive face coverings could impede breathing.
"If you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective," Fauci stated to CNBC.
This statement was met with skepticism and even derision. National Review writer David Harsanyi quipped, "No, thanks, Dad." Then-Secretary of State Marco Rubio also weighed in, stating, "Dr. Fauci is a very good public-health official. His job is to advise policymakers and inform the public, but his job is not to decide what we can do, where we can go or which places can open or close. His job is not to mislead or scare us into doing the [supposed] right things."
Beyond the debate over masks, other mandates also sparked outrage and ridicule. In New York, then-Governor Andrew Cuomo’s attempt to define what constituted "substantive food" for bars to remain open ignited a firestorm, particularly among fans of Buffalo wings. Cuomo declared that bars needed to offer more than just hors d’oeuvres, including "soups, sandwiches," implying that chicken wings did not meet the requirement.
This perceived slight against a beloved regional dish was met with immediate backlash. A New York state communications official attempted to clarify Cuomo’s comments, arguing that the phrase "more than just hors d’oeuvres" was an interjection and that chicken wings were intended to be included with "soups, sandwiches." But the damage was already done.
In response, bars began creatively circumventing the edict by offering minimal food items, such as a single slice of deli meat or a handful of croutons, for a nominal fee, allowing patrons to legally order alcoholic beverages.
Neighboring Pennsylvania saw similar restrictions, with Governor Tom Wolf implementing a mandate requiring the purchase of a meal to order alcohol. State police actively enforced these regulations, threatening small-town bars with the loss of their liquor licenses.
During a period when many restaurants were closed for dine-in service, several Pennsylvania lawmakers staged a protest outside the Taste of Sicily Italian Restaurant in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. These lawmakers, including State Representatives Russ Diamond and Frank Ryan, joined Senator Doug Mastriano and the restaurant manager in condemning the "stop the spread" orders that were crippling local businesses.
Diamond quoted the Pennsylvania Constitution, emphasizing the people’s right to alter or abolish their government. "You can exercise your constitutional right to abolish the interminable b—- of this government, which happens to be the governor’s obtuse, stupid and bass-ackward orders," he declared.
Wolf and Health Secretary Rachel Levine became familiar faces on television, announcing lockdown provisions and color-coded maps that dictated varying levels of freedom for residents in different counties. Early in the shutdown, the Wolf administration invoked a decades-old law aimed at combating syphilis as justification for some of its orders.
One woman in York County was charged under this law after going for a Sunday drive. Anita Shaffer was initially stopped for a broken taillight but was ultimately issued a ticket for violating the Disease Prevention and Control Act of 1955, described to her as the "stay-at-home-act." She pleaded "not guilty."
Then-York County District Attorney David Sunday, later elected Pennsylvania Attorney General, publicly opposed the lockdown orders and stated that he would not prosecute businesses deemed "nonessential" that chose to reopen before being authorized to do so by the state.
The Pennsylvania state rest stops were briefly closed to "stop the spread." Mastriano described his shock at seeing rest areas along Interstate 81 barricaded, forcing truck drivers to park dangerously on the shoulder of the highway.
In another controversial measure, cities across the country, from California to New Jersey, began dumping sand into skate parks, playgrounds, and other public spaces to prevent gatherings. Tons of sand were poured into skate parks in Los Angeles, infuriating skateboarders.
Professional skater Paul Rodriguez acknowledged the severity of the situation but expressed concern about the city’s response. "I was like, damn, that’s aggressive… But as a human, I’m like, we’re going through a pandemic, I mean, we’ve got to do what we got to do," he said.
Skate bowls in San Clemente, California, were also filled with sand after skaters disregarded "No Trespassing" signs. In Pittsburgh, skaters reportedly climbed over fences and cut locks to access closed skate parks. Other cities removed basketball hoops or nailed boards over baskets to discourage people from playing.
The pandemic lockdowns also had a notable impact on alcohol consumption, particularly in the Northeast. As states began to relax restrictions, some states maintained strict control over alcohol sales through state-run stores. Pennsylvania continued to keep its state stores closed for some time, prompting residents to seek alternative sources of alcohol.
Delaware, with its tax-free shopping and availability of liquor in large stores like Total Wine, became a destination for residents of higher-tax and socially-stricter states.
As Pennsylvanians crossed the state line to purchase alcohol, Delaware instituted a travel ban, and then-Governor John Carney authorized police to stop vehicles with out-of-state license plates. The parking lot of the Total Wine near the state line became a hub for thirsty Pennsylvanians.
DSP Cpl. Michael Austin stated that the Delaware State Police aimed to inform the public and promote compliance with the mandates to ensure public safety and health. This cross-border dynamic mirrored situations across the country.
