Much of life as we know it in the United States has drastically changed over recent weeks.

Local and state authorities have closed many businesses and mandated that residents

stay at home or limit the size of gatherings.

And yet how these restrictions are implemented across the country varies widely.

Furthermore, even in areas where restrictions can carry legal penalties, enforcement is rare.

The United States is, of course, set up this way.

States have the power to work independently in coordination with the federal government.

But it means our country's response to the novel coronavirus pandemic is much more

patchy and localized than in other countries responding around the world.

And so here, state and local variations and guidance have caused quite a bit of confusion

about what exactly is allowed during this time and where.

It's also raised questions about the federal government's role in instituting social

distancing measures nationwide.

How likely are we to see greater enforcement against breaking social distancing roles?

Can the president order the entire country to shelter in place?

And for that matter, if President Trump wants the country to resume normal life soon,

as he has both suggested publicly and offered guidelines for in a recent letter to governors,

can he force local or state governments to make that happen?

We've got answers.

This is can he do that?

A podcast that explores the powers and limitations of the American presidency?

I'm Allison Michaels.

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