As the coronavirus began to spread across Pennsylvania, state courts went from being entirely operational to almost completely shut down in the span of a week. Federal courts in Pennsylvania, however, have taken a different tack, opting to remain open despite the outbreak and closing only temporarily whenever courthouse workers report having contracted the sickness.

This approach has gotten praise—as well as some criticism—from the legal community, as courts across the country continue trying to find the right balance between protecting constitutional mandates and protecting public health.