Republicans raise the specter of widespread COVID-19 mandates, despite no sign of their return

Republicans are responding to a late summer spike in COVID-19 by raising familiar fears that government-issued lockdowns and mask mandates are on the horizon. GOP presidential hopefuls including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former President Donald Trump have spread this narrative in the last week. And yet there is no sign that anyone in federal or state leadership is even considering widespread COVID-19 restrictions or mask requirements despite the recent rise in hospitalizations. A spokesperson for President Joe Biden's administration and spokespeople for several Democratic governors said such measures aren't being considered.