The number of cases of Covid-19 fell in most states from the January highs, while the distribution of vaccination increased, but life in most of the US did not return to normal. Americans came out less in January, February and early March compared to the same period in 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the state to blockade. The number of times people spent 10 minutes or more away from home fell by 6 percent in the United States, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. In some states, including Mississippi, Alabama and Dakota, people have ventured at almost the same pace as they did in early 2020.
The traffic data analyzed by The Wall Street Journal shows that many people have returned to restaurants, but are much less enthusiastic about cinemas. Fewer people fill the congregation’s pews in every state except Wyoming. North Dakota’s gyms are busier than before the pandemic, but fewer people jumped on treadmills everywhere. People nationwide spend less time in traffic and stay closer to home compared to the beginning of 2020.
Americans generally visit places of worship and non-essential businesses, such as gyms and movie theaters, on average 19% less often than before the pandemic. In Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota, these units returned almost completely. The three states are also among the 11 states where people drove more miles than before Covid-19, while the national median fell by 6%.
In Dakota, which had fewer restrictions than most states, bars were crowded and weddings and large gatherings took place. Public schools have been largely open for personal learning since September. South Dakota and North Dakota had the two highest daily rates of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people as of April 2.
In Arizona and North Carolina, walking traffic to non-essential businesses and houses of worship in January, February and early March was closer to the national median. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper eased restrictions in late February, allowing retail stores, gyms and restaurants to open at 50 percent capacity. On March 23, the state announced that it would raise the closing time from 11 pm for alcohol service and increase occupancy limits for non-essential businesses. Arizona bars, gyms, restaurants and theaters were allowed to operate at full capacity in March.