Frankly, I intend to ignore Democrat Governor Dan McKee’s latest executive order, issued late yesterday, and make informed decisions for my own health and those with whom I come into contact.  All five of the “whereas” clauses — which are supposed to explain and justify this sort of resolution — are purely generic.  There is no new information or explanation of why this order is necessary right now.

Most of the text consists of his commands.

First, “any person who has been clinically diagnosed with COVID-19 by a licensed health care practitioner by assessment of symptoms or by laboratory testing must immediately self-isolate.”  That means a positive test, with no symptoms whatsoever, means 10 days as a prisoner in your home.

Second, fully vaccinated people who have come in close contact (spending at least a cumulative 15 minutes over 24 hours within 6 feet of somebody who tested positive, with or without symptoms) “must get tested 3-5 days after the date of exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until he or she receives a negative test result.”  You are mandated to get tested if somebody who know tests positive or if the state Department of Health calls you to tell you somebody said you were a close contact.

Third, people who are not fully vaccinated “must get tested immediately after being identified as a close contact and, if negative, get tested again 5-7 days after last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop during quarantine” and “immediately self-quarantine for 10 days following the close contact” (seven days with a negative test taken on day 5), unless he or she tested positive for COVID within the past three months.

Fourth, close contacts “in a congregate care setting… must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and immediately self-quarantine for 14 days.”

Then comes enforcement.  The governor has left it entirely up to the director of the Department of Health “to take any action and make and enforce any rules and regulations necessary to implement this Order” and “assess civil penalties, and enact rules and regulations in furtherance of such penalties, for violation of this Executive Order.”  Power doesn’t get any broader or more arbitrary than that.

Enough is enough.