Whitmer: “There Are Glimmers of Hope” With Coronavirus Pandemic

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has recently extended the state’s stay-at-home order until the end of April.

“There are glimmers of hope here. And if this is sustained, then it will be safe to take some steps to start to reengage the economy.” — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

The move also included new guidelines on what constitutes an essential business, as well as stricter policies around movement throughout the state.

The order has received push-back from those saying that it goes too far and could damage the state’s economy. 

Listen: Governor Gretchen Whitmer explains her extension and expansion to the stay-at-home order. 

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says her most recent order was guided by the urgent need to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan.

The essential business classifications in her order were determined with public safety and workers’ health in mind, she says.

“It’s not flipping the switch and we’re all back at Little Caesar’s Arena.”

The current stay-at-home order expires on May 1^st, leaving many wondering what life will look like after that deadline and if the order will be extended. Gov. Whitmer says re-engagement has to be carefully considered and will not happen all at once.

“It’s not flipping the switch and we’re all back at Little Caesar’s Arena all crammed together,” says Whitmer. “It is certain sectors, it is, maybe, at smaller capacity, some re-engagement. We are working on exactly what those phases of responsible re-engagement looks like.”

She says there are “glimmers of hope” with recent state data showing a downward trend in new confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 in Michigan. But she says that trend will need to be sustained before the state can take any steps toward re-opening the economy.