Washington went from being the first state with an outbreak to being the 21st state in absolute infection numbers, and 150 new cases/day, down from a peak of 600/day. New York brought daily cases down from 11,000/day, to 500/day.
Whereas, places like North Carolina, Texas, and Florida not even peaked yet. Seems odd to declare victory, when their numbers are steadily climbing.
I wonder, what is the economic cost of people falling sick, and needing medical treatment? Are the red states including that in their accounts of human well-being? Or is it a 'screw you, you're sick, it's your problem now'?
Leadership is about balancing competing concerns, and five states in particular reacted in a way that is increasing human suffering rather than minimizing it. And even after paying a very high cost, they have infection rates similar to the rest of the country.