Even with a functioning White House, it is likely that governors would have had a critical role at this moment. Governors are crisis managers.

But when the White House cares only about theatrics and petty feuds, governors are that much more important. https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/coronavirus-covid-19-regional-pact-states-governors-tom-wolf-phil-murphy-andrew-cuomo-20200414.html

Govs of NY, NJ, PA all stepped up. But there are differences. It took 10 days following 1st case in PA for Wolf to close schools statewide, Cuomo waited 18. PA closed all businesses statewide 12 days after its first case, NJ 17 days after, and NY after 22. https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/coronavirus-covid-19-regional-pact-states-governors-tom-wolf-phil-murphy-andrew-cuomo-20200414.html

It will take time to evaluate how much Gov. Wolf’s overall actions contributed to Pennsylvania’s infection rate being less than a fifth of New York’s and less than a third of New Jersey’s. There are many other factors to consider. https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/coronavirus-covid-19-regional-pact-states-governors-tom-wolf-phil-murphy-andrew-cuomo-20200414.html