Guest Commentary: Local emergency ordinances have been used before

Here is some historical context for where we find ourselves, a small community responding to a global crisis and the issue of civil liberties. The Clausen Museum recently found and posted on Instagram a Petersburg newspaper clipping from November 1919, which read: "Notice: Until further orders no small boats will be allowed to leave town of Petersburg for any other town. Board of Health, by order of the Governor."

In World War II civilians needed military permission to travel to and from Alaska. Fishing boats and tenders were requisitioned for the war effort. Individuals in Petersburg needed p...