LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — After an uptick in new COVID-19 cases over the past three weeks, Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-151, which extends the governor’s emergency and disaster declaration until August 11, 2020 at 11:59pm.
Citizens should note that the state of emergency is not the same as the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, which was lifted last month.
The state of emergency was originally set to expire on July 16.
“COVID-19 has now killed more than 6,000 people in Michigan. That’s more than 6,000 of our parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors. And the rising numbers we’ve seen over the past few weeks prove that this virus is still a very real threat in our state,” Governor Whitmer said. “Today, I signed new emergency and disaster declarations using independent sources of statutory authority to continue saving lives and ensure that the brave men and women on the front lines of this crisis have the tools they need.”
Daily COVID-19 case counts now exceed 20 cases per million in the Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo regions. The increase in cases reflects a national trend: COVID-19 cases are growing in 39 states and in some are surging uncontrollably.
Two days ago, Florida recorded 15,300 new cases in a single day, the highest one-day total for any state so far during the pandemic.
“Throughout this crisis, the vast majority of Michiganders have done their part, but we must remain vigilant and continue to do everything we can to protect our loved ones,” Whitmer said. “That means wearing a mask over your mouth and nose and practicing safe physical distancing when going out in public. If we all do our part now, there is a greater chance that schools can resume in-person learning in the fall. Be smart, be safe, and mask up.”
Chief Medical Executive and MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun is also weighing in.
“COVID-19 still poses a threat to families across Michigan, and it’s crucial that Governor Whitmer continue to take swift action to save lives,” Dr. Khaldun said. “Michiganders should all continue to do their part by wearing a mask and practicing safe physical distancing. We will get through this when we work together.”
The Michigan Department of Treasury predicts that this year the state will lose between $1 and $3 billion in revenue. At the same time, continued federal support is by not assured, according to Whitmer’s office.
Unless it is renewed, for example, Congress’s emergency infusion of money into the unemployment system will cease at the end of this month.
The health, economic, and social harms of the COVID-19 pandemic remain widespread and severe, and they continue to constitute a statewide emergency and disaster.
Though local health departments have some limited capacity to respond to cases as they arise within their jurisdictions, state emergency operations are necessary to bring this pandemic under control in Michigan and to build and maintain infrastructure to stop the spread of COVID-19, trace infections, and quickly direct additional resources to hot-spots as they emerge.
To view Executive Order 2020-151, click the link below:
