We have a kind of experiment taken place in America.

[shockey80]

Northeastern, western states have formed their own coordinated response to the pandemic. A mini national response if you will. They are not going to listen to Trump.

Southern, midwestern states are all doing their own personnel response to the pandemic. They are listening to Trump.

It will be interesting to see the result of this experiment over the next two, three months. Let's see what the pandemic map looks like in a couple of months.

[CTyankee]

1. It makes you wonder if "bringing us together" is impossible once you get the rabble raised.

Mixed with grinding poverty, some or no proper health care, and fear of immigrants, we have all the ingredients of horrific clashes and the specter of violence and rage.

[MineralMan]

2. There is also a midwestern coalition of states.

Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and some others. Our Governor Walz is part of that. They are doing the same things as the other coalitions. You are incorrect in not mentioning the Midwest coalition.

It is not a regional thing at all. What it is is a Democratic thing. States with Democratic Governors are banding together. States with Republican Governors are not. It is political, not regional.

[shockey80]

6. Thank you, I did not know about the midwestern states.

But the premise of my post is correct.

[MineralMan]

8. Actually, your premise is faulty, due to the regionalism.

Yes, it's an experiment, but it is a political experiment.

Like many, you appear to think that the midwest is one, right-wing region. It is not. Not by any means.

[Yavin4]

12. This is happening because we've allowed one political party to go to the extreme

We have accepted the extreme politics of the Republican party as normal. We then fall back on custom when it comes to challenging them on their politics.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. You must have missed how MN, WI, IL, MI, OH, KY and IN are working together, and

definitely not listening to Trump.

[MineralMan]

4. Thanks. I posted the same thing. This is not a regional issue.

It is purely political. Blue states are banding together. The Red States are following Trump's lead. That's a very important distinction that the OP appears to have missed, altogether.

[central scrutinizer]

10. OH has a Republican governor

DeWine apparently is not following the Drumpf playbook. There may still be rational republicans, who knew?

[MineralMan]

11. Not all Republicans are nutbags.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

14. Yep.

I’m thankful that DeWine has deferred to science on many of the decisions here in Ohio.

Republicans have become so anti-science in general, I was actually surprised by the “early” shut-downs here.

[Girard442]

5. Unfortunately, the Northestern and Western State coalitions will be under attack the whole time.

It won't look good for Trump if they succeed while the Trump loyalists slam into the iceberg. Since he's incapable of doing anything constructive, he will do the next best thing (for him) and attempt to shiv the people that (he thinks) made him look bad.

[Dave in VA]

7. The DMV*

is also working together.

*
The District (Washington, DC, Bowser, Democratic Mayor)
Maryland (Hogan: Republican Governor)
Virginia (Northam: Democratic Governor)

[murielm99]

9. This is one I did not know about.

Mineral Man is correct to point out the coalition in the Midwest. Some of our Midwestern states have very red areas, but we elect blue majorities consistently. I am most familiar with the strong Democratic leadership in Illinois and Minnesota. Of course, there is Michigan and Whitmer!

[LizBeth]

15. Maryland Republican has spoken out against Trump. I knew about the other 3, but not this one.

Thanks. And excellent.

[MadLinguist]

13. Louisiana under governor John bel Edwards (D) is not listening to Trump

With some of the highest fatality rates per confirmed cases in the country, he's not about to start either. The governors of crazy Texas to the west, murderously insane Mississippi to the east, ass-kissing toady Arkansas to the north, Louisianans are grateful to be on the gulf coast.