Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged residents to remain calm while following her executive order temporarily requiring people to stay in their homes during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
Less than two weeks after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Michigan, the governor banned all non-essential travel and ordered the closure of most businesses to slow the coronavirus’ exponential spread across the state. Whitmer said access to critical services like health care, food, medicine, gas and banks will remain available, but acknowledged the vast impact her order will have on daily life in Michigan.
“Your grocery stores will be open,” Whitmer said. “I have checked on our whole supply chain for food and it will be accessible. Do not panic. Do not hoard."
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“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do,” the governor added. “Michigan and this country has been in crises before, and we’ve called on our countrymen and countrywomen to step up to the challenge to meet the need. Right now we are calling on everyone to do your part ... Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives.”
The order goes into effect after midnight on the morning of Tuesday, March 24 and ends at midnight on April 13. Violation of the order is punishable by a misdemeanor, though Whitmer said there won’t be any ramp of police enforcement.
“This is not a recommendation,” Whitmer said. “This is an order, and we take it very seriously.”
Too many people aren’t following public health guidelines, Michigan’s governor said, especially young people. Forty percent of the hospitalizations and positive cases are among people between the ages of 20 and 40, with many more carrying the coronavirus without exhibiting symptoms.
The number of confirmed cases has grown from zero to 1,232 since March 10. Fifteen people have died, according to Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, with “dozens” more being treated in intensive care units.
Whitmer said the executive order was necessary to prevent people from gathering against the recommendation of public health officials.
“If it were possible to wave a magic wand and make all Americans freeze in place for 14 days six feet away from one another the whole epidemic would sputter to a halt,” she said.
COVID-19 is an easily-transmittable infectious respiratory disease with no vaccine. Whitmer said the critical order buys Michigan’s health care system more time to stock up on supplies and prevents hospitals from being overwhelmed by a surge in patients.
Whitmer said models project 70% of the state’s population -- roughly 7 million people -- could be infected if the current trend continues. That could translate to 1 million people in need of hospitalization, she said.
“Let me give you a little perspective here,” Whitmer said. “We have about 25,000 acute care beds in Michigan. Stopping the spread of this virus is really the most important tool that we have right now to keep our communities safe.”
Simply put, Whitmer said more people will get sick and die if “aggressive measures” aren’t taken.
The governor advised Michiganders to keep in contact with their loved ones, get fresh air and try to stay productive while the order remains in effect.
“I know this is hard. I know this is going to be disruptive,” Whitmer said. “It’s certainly going to be hard on our economy as well. But our action will save lives. Doing this now shortens the time our academy suffers. When we look back at this we’ve got to be able to say we did everything we could.”
PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home ( door handles, faucets, countertops ) and when you go into places like stores.
Complete coverage of coronavirus in Michigan.
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