Pandemic Politics: A Case Study of State Responses

This chapter critically examines the varied responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, focusing on the contrasting strategies employed by red and blue states. It highlights the role of political affiliations in influencing public health measures and the resulting impact on mortality rates, while also addressing the absurdities in pandemic management prior to vaccine availability. The analysis emphasizes the importance of context and timing in understanding these patterns, underscoring the complexities and polarization that emerged during the pandemic.