LANSING, MI – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) is asking state residents to voluntarily lock themselves down for a two week period. Under that voluntary lockdown, residents are to avoid indoor dining, schools should go to all-remote learning and sports should cease all games and practices.
“We all have to step up our game for the next two weeks to bring down rising cases. And that’s why I’m calling on high schools to voluntarily go remote for two weeks past spring break, calling on youth sports to voluntarily suspend games and practices for two weeks,” Whitmer said. “And I’m strongly encouraging all Michiganders to avoid dining indoors and avoid gathering with friends indoors for two weeks. Support your local restaurants by eating outside, or getting carry out instead of dining indoors. Opt for small, outdoor gatherings with masks.”
She made it clear these were not executive orders or enforceable mandates…yet.
Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Joneigh Khaldun echoed the governor’s request.
“As a parent and former student-athlete myself, I understand how important athletics are to our children’s physical and mental health. However, parents and athletes need to understand the risk involved with youth sports if they choose to participate,” Dr. Joneigh said. “We’ve seen that the younger population has played a significant role in transmission during this most recent spike. I urge youth sports organizers to pause in-person activities for the next couple weeks, and as always, mask up, wash your hands, social distance and get your safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are able.”
“Policy changes alone won’t stop the spread,” she said reminding residents there is still a mask mandate. “We still have a mask mandate.”
She cited the state’s rise in cases was a compliance problem and blamed the Biden administration for not supplying the state with enough vaccinations from Johnson and Johnson as promised. She also blamed snowbird senior citizens for bringing mutant variations of the virus back to Michigan as they returned.