In the first such decision rendered since the coronavirus pandemic first struck the U.S. back in March, a federal court in Pittsburgh ruled early this week that a statewide shutdown and stay-at-home order issued by the governor of Pennsylvania is unconstitutional. U.S. District Court judge William Stickman IV found that despite being well-intentioned, the order by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine violated the right of the citizenry to free assembly, due process and equal protection under the law, all guaranteed by the United States Constitution. In the decision, Stickman recognized the Governor’s actions as well-intentioned, but still found that “[G]ood intentions toward a laudable end are not enough to uphold governmental action against a constitutional challenge.” The decision specifically prohibits the state limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings as well as the business shutdowns and stay-at-home mandates but has no impact on the state’s mask mandate or many other restrictions. Wolf is appealing the decision and has asked that Stickman allow the restrictions to remain in effect during the appeal. Oregon, Louisiana and Ohio are among a host of other states where similar challenges government pandemic mandates are pending on one issue or another. We’ll watch for more decisions coming soon.