Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations’ leading infectious disease expert and member of the president’s coronavirus task force, says he doesn’t understand why all states have not issued stay-at-home orders in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.

Alabama is one of a handful of states that have yet to issue formal stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders. Citing economic concerns, Gov. Kay Ivey has resisted instituting an order but the state has closed “non-essential” businesses and restricted public gatherings.

“The governor’s priority is protecting the health, safety and well-being of all Alabamians, and their well-being also relies on being able to have a job and provide for themselves and their families," Ivey spokeswoman Gina Maiola said. “Many factors surround a statewide shelter-in-place, and Alabama is not at a place where we are ready to make this call.”

Speaking on CNN’s town hall Thursday night, however, Fauci says he didn’t “understand why (stay-at-home orders are) not happening.”

“If you look at what's going on in this country, I just don't understand why we're not doing that. We really should be,” said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

He stopped short of calling for a national order, however.

"You know, the tension between federally mandated versus states' rights to do what they want is something I don't want to get into," he said.

Currently, every state surrounding Alabama has issued a stay-at-home order.

Coronavirus: What is a stay-at-home order? Shelter in place?