To hear the governor tell it, Michigan is doing better than almost any state at administering the coronavirus vaccine, even though Republicans say the rollout is a “nightmare.” And Republicans are claiming that Whitmer’s COVID restrictions have “punished” the economy.
This isn’t new.
In May, Bridge Michigan raised questions about Whitmer’s claims that rural hospitals were nearly full (nope), the role of anti-Whitmer protests in spreading the virus (untrue), and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Joneigh Khaldun’s assertion that COVID restrictions would last into 2021 (well… on second thought.)
In that vein, here’s a look at a few assertions in the past few weeks that, at the very least, deserve some explanations.
Shirkey-tied nonprofit gives $550,000 to Unlock Michigan campaign
Lansing A nonprofit organization tied to Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey gave $550,000 to the campaign to repeal a Michigan law that allowed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to issue unilateral executive orders to combat COVID-19.
Michigan! My Michigan!, a social welfare organization that formed in August 2018 and doesn t have to disclose its donors, is now the second largest funder of Unlock Michigan, the petition campaign to repeal the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act, according to a fundraising report due Monday. We were grateful for the support of Michigan, My Michigan, as we were of all our other supporters and donors, said Fred Wszolek, spokesman for Unlock Michigan. They were one of our larger supporters, but as you know, we received contributions from literally thousands of Michigan citizens who supported our mission to Unlock Michigan.
Hour Detroit Magazine
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
One measure of just how long, painful, and exhilarating but also terrifying the past year has been for one Gretchen Esther Whitmer is what finally, after more than an hour of interviews over the course of a week, prompts a real laugh. With the more than 12,000 COVID-19-related deaths in Michigan, a horrific alleged plot by right-wing kooks to kidnap her, constant legal and political attacks on her authority, and a wrecked state budget and economy, the 49th governor of Michigan has found precious little to make light of lately.
But then our topic turns to the massive, mostly maskless rallies Donald Trump held across the state in the waning days of his losing presidential reelection bid, events that violated the state’s restrictions on large public gatherings as well as the advice of medical experts. Why were they allowed to take place?
Award the state s electoral votes by congressional district in lieu of the current winner-takes-all system
Curtail and/or end mail-in voting
Liming mail-in voting to those who cannot physically reach a voting precinct
Limit voting centers in each county according to the population size
Require mail-in ballot envelopes to be notarized or returned in-person
Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, was sharply critical of House Bill 2720, which was introduced by GOP state Rep. Shawnna Bolick and would allow the legislature to overturn the election results. It is a punch in the face to voters, Hobbs said in an NBC News interview. It absolutely, 100%, allows a legislature to undermine the will of voters.
COVID-19 numbers alone shouldn’t trigger Michigan reopenings, Whitmer says. Critics want a plan.
Updated Jan 30, 2021;
Posted Jan 30, 2021
Many restaurants have resorted to setting up plastic igloos as outdoor dining spaces because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
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Much like the dining igloos popularized by the pandemic, business reopening plans in different states range from transparent to opaque.
In Illinois, Washington and New Mexico, businesses and residents watch state COVID-19 data to see if the numbers trigger reopenings or closings.
In Michigan, the process involves watching Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s press conferences and praying for good news.