"New restrictions" as cases "soar"

The Wall Street Journal's front-page headline screams, "States Order New Restrictions As Covid-19 Soars Nationwide."

The nearby map, on the other hand, shows cases "soaring" (shown by medium or dark red ) only in about 10 Midwestern or Plains states - aside from a few atypical counties scattered in some other states. Out of every million residents, the red sections of these states experienced more than 60 new cases in the past week. In about four-fifths of all states, however, new cases were not "surging" but simply rising at a pace similar to recent experience.

The Map reproduced above was titled "Covid restrictions imposed across the U.S. as cases surge." Yet only 7 of the 50 states are highlighted with black lines to show which states have supposedly imposed tougher restrictions. Of those 7, only 2 (Minnesota and Iowa) show as having large red sections. Some of the newly restrictive states have no new hot spots in major population centers (California's red zone appears to be next to Reno NV).

The "new restrictions" in 7 states often consist of minor issues such as mask mandates in Utah and Ohio, or limiting the size of social gatherings (as if that's feasible or legal in private homes) in Minnesota and North Carolina. There are local limits on bars and restaurant capacity in parts of California, maybe Ohio. Maryland is cutting restaurant capacity to 50% from 75%. Chicago is advising people to stay home when possible - not closing businesses.

So, an accurate headline should have read "Seven states order minor new restrictions as cases soar in ten (mostly different) states - all but a few of which not changed restrictions at all."

As a matter of journalistic punch, that would be a truly terrible headline. But it's the truth.