As the race for the Republican presidential nomination heats up, many of the GOP hopefuls are taking aim at the efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Several of the candidates have suggested rolling back the restrictions on businesses and individuals put in place by the current administration. They argue that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been too great and that the restrictions are preventing individuals and businesses from taking the necessary steps to recover and thrive. They also argue that the restrictions infringe on basic civil liberties. Other Republican candidates are advocating for more localized control of the pandemic measures, asserting that local governments and individuals should be empowered to make decisions on what type of public safety measures should be taken. Additionally, the candidates are in agreement that the federal government should provide more support to individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic, such as by aid from the CARES Act.
