I joined Monocle 24’s The Briefing on Wednesday to explain why the Governors of some southern US states, defying medical advice, are easing stay-at-home measures.

I consider the politics around the decisions in Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. I compare that to the actions of other governors who have dealt with the crisis with effective action, despite the lack of Federal coordination, and I briefly explain Trump’s anti-immigrant diversion.

These Republican governors are going to take a political gamble. They know that Donald Trump has encouraged illegal protests and that he wants to lift the stay-at-home orders.

So for them, Trump and his May 1 “Reopen America” date is the way to go in politics, even if it might lead to a Coronavirus spike which is damaging in the long run.

Listen from 9:18: