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A growing number of states are ordering the closing of bars and restaurants to combat the coronavirus

As of Sunday night, Washington state, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, and California are trying to enforce "social distancing" by calling for the closure of bars and restaurants.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced Sunday that he is "banning all on-premises eating and drinking at all restaurants and bars throughout the state, but will still allow establishments to offer food for takeout or delivery."

On the other side of the country, California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the closure of all Golden State bars, nightclubs, and wineries because they are "a non-essential function."

Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti went further, also closing all movie theaters, entertainment venues, and gyms until March 31. 

But not everyone in the Golden State supports these precautions. Republican Rep. Devin Nunes on Sunday urged Americans to “stop panicking," arguing "it's a great time to go out."

“There’s a lot of concerns with the economy here because people are scared to go out," Nunes said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Features."

"One of the things you can do if you’re healthy, you and your family, it’s a great time to just go out, go to a local restaurant.”

This contradicts the advice of Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health Anthony Fauci, who said on Sunday:

"I would like to see a dramatic diminution of the personal interaction we see in restaurants and in bars. Whatever it takes to do that, that's what I'd like to see."

There are now more than 3,000 cases of the novel coronavirus in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Should more states close bars and restaurants?

For a politics-free guide to how to protect you and your loved ones from corona, click on over to our Coronavirus Info Center.