RALEIGH – Is North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper too strict or not strict enough when it comes to his “stay at home” orders?

A new study from financial news and information site WalletHub provides ammuntion on both sides of the argument, concluding that North Carolina ranks almost in the middle among the states and the District of Columbia.

Cooper is expected to spell out next steps for his COVID-19 pandemic response at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

Using data compiled through May 4, WalletHub ranks North Carolina 28th with a score of 24.36 out of a possible 100. The higher the score, the less strict a state was considered.

South Dakota came in first with a score of 89.23 with Utah second at 73.85.

Says WalletHub: “Our data set ranges from limits on large gatherings to the presence of a “shelter-in-place” order and whether restaurants and bars have reopened.”

Most restrictive?

Hawaii with a score of 6.15.

Specific categories considered for the study were:

  • Requirement to Wear a Face Mask in Public
  • Travel Restrictions
  • Large Gatherings Restrictions
  • Statewide School Restart
  • Reopening of Restaurants and Bars
  • Reopening of Non-Essential Businesses
  • Strictness of “Shelter in Place” Order
  • Suspension or Postponement of Legislative Sessions
  • Guidance on Elective Surgery and Medical Procedures

Read the full study criteria online. 

Sources for the study include: National Governors Association, Kaiser Family Foundation, Editorial Projects in Education, National Conference of State Legislatures, American College of Radiology, the COVID Tracking Project and news reports.