States, Cities Jump In With Virus Decrees As U.S. Holds Off (1)

California demanded an on-board quarantine for 3,400 passengers and crew on a cruise ship. Ohio scrapped most of a fitness convention. And Austin, Texas, canceled the popular SXSW conference that typically draws 150,000 people.

The actions on coronavirus shows that in the U.S., states and localities take the lead in combating epidemics. Federal authorities follow.

“The state and local public health departments are the leaders in the country on any type of response like this,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azartold reporters. “We get our information from them. They’re experts. We provide background support. We surge in to ...