Whitmer: Michigan remains in a state of emergency

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FRIDAY, May 1 — A state of emergency remains in effect in Michigan despite a denial from state lawmakers yesterday afternoon and as the COVID-19 death toll nears 4,000 statewide, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared today. 

“While some members of the Legislature might believe this crisis is over, common sense and all of the scientific data tells us we’re not out of the woods yet,” Whitmer said at a press conference. “By refusing to extend the emergency and disaster declaration, Republican lawmakers are putting their heads in the sand and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk. I’m not going to let that happen.” 

State legislators refused to OK Whitmer’s request for a 28-day emergency extension yesterday afternoon, instead passing a resolution that authorizes House leadership to pursue litigation against the governor and moving forward with legislation geared at reopening the economy. 

Whitmer has since opted to unilaterally extend the state of emergency through May 28. Instead she voiced plans to veto any bills that would erode her executive authority amid the pandemic — including a Republican plan to reopen bars and restaurants as early as May 15.  

Hours after the Legislature refused to extend the emergency and disaster declaration yesterday, Whitmer’s office announced that she signed three new executive orders. One rescinded the existing state of emergency. The two others put it back into place until midnight May 28. 

That declaration is arguably the only legal authority that enables Whitmer’s other executive orders — like statewide shelter-in-place restrictions — to remain in place until May 15. Some, such as House Speaker Lee Chatfield, argued the recent legislative denial nullified those orders. 

Regardless, with the recent resolution authorizing the Legislature to challenge Whitmer’s authority with legal action, the stage is set for the matter to be decided in court. In the meantime, Whitmer wants to ensure that appropriate protections remain intact statewide. 

Another executive order signed this afternoon enables residential and commercial construction to resume Friday. The order also lifts existing lockdown-related restrictions on both real estate activities and all “work that is traditionally and primarily performed outdoors,” she said. 

The order also requires businesses to adopt new measures to protect workers from COVID-19. Under the order, construction sites must designate a site supervisor to enforce virus prevention strategies, conduct daily health screenings, identify high-risk areas and take other precautions. 

Another executive order signed yesterday also extends Whitmer’s previous restrictions that mandate social distancing procedures at restaurants and ordered other “places of public accommodation,” like dining rooms, bars, theaters, casinos and more to stay closed.  

The order, which also now expires May 28, is largely the same. It still allows for delivery and carryout. Bars and movie theaters still can’t open their doors. Social distancing must be used. 

Whitmer has also announced plans to slowly re-engage the economy. Other businesses, possibly on a region-by-region basis, may also be able to open again soon. 

In the meantime, Whitmer emphasized that her shelter-in-place order — including a requirement that people wear homemade face coverings in enclosed public spaces — remains in effect until May 15. Under the order, residents still cannot leave their homes except to run critical errands, engage in safe outdoor activities or go to specified essential employment. 

In Greater Lansing…    

Cops warned several people to keep their distance from one another at yesterday’s rally at the Michigan State Capitol lawn, but no tickets were issued, police said. Read more here. 

President Donald Trump has since thrown his support behind the recent rally on Twitter. 

“The governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire,” Trump posted earlier this morning, probably tweeting after watching some cable news. “These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal.” 

In response, the Jewish Democratic Council of America said Trump was a “depraved” man. 

The city of Lansing announced a series of $10,000 COVID-19 “Rescue Fund” grants today amid the first phase of the city’s Small Business Recovery Program. Lansing and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership created the fund to provide immediate relief to local businesses. 

“While we are making a substantial investment in Lansing’s business community, we fully recognize it is not nearly enough to address the funding needs of our small businesses,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. “I am committed to continuing to help our local businesses as they navigate the immediate and long-term challenges created by the coronavirus crisis.” 

A second and third phase of grant funding is also planned in Lansing. Additional details about those future financial assistance packages from the city will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit lansingmi.gov/smallbusiness for updates and other resources available within the city. 

Employees at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing had a free lunch today, courtesy of local attorney Jamie White and a $10,000 donation he made to the health care system late last week. 

The East Lansing Downtown Development Authority has invested $250,000 to launch a business relief program for DDA businesses suffering financial hardship amid the pandemic. Brick-and-mortar businesses within DDA boundaries can apply for a total of 100 individual $2,500 grants. Applications are available online from 8 a.m. on May 5 to 11:59 p.m. on May 7. 

Across Michigan… 

Even as restaurants hope to rehire staff and rebuild confidence among customers scared of the coronavirus, they also say they’re bracing for the next struggle: making enough money to stay open. Survival hinges on dining room capacity and carryout sales, reports Bridge Magazine.  

A coalition of Michigan renters groups have called on Whitmer to temporarily suspend rent payments for tenants across the state as the coronavirus pandemic continues, reports MLive. 

Attorney General Dana Nessel has told law enforcement to “proceed with caution” on enforcement of Whitmer’s stay-at-home order while her office continues to review the effects of the latest gubernatorial mandates, according to recent reports from Bridge Magazine.  

Inmates from various Michigan prisons have filed a class action lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections, calling exposure to the coronavirus cruel and unusual punishment and hoping for additional precautions to prevent the spread, according to reports from MLive. 

Whitmer also recently signed an executive order to clarify that all K-12 school buildings will remain closed for instructional purposes for the remainder of the school year, providing further guidelines for remote learning and suspending other early childhood programming. 

The order also suspends certain requirements for teacher evaluations and clarifies that teachers with individualized learning plans will need to be provided an annual performance evaluation, but administrators can only use data that was available prior to schools being closed statewide. 

All mandatory attendance requirements and truancy enforcement has also been suspended. 

Michigan also qualified for nearly $390 million in federal elementary and secondary school emergency relief earlier this afternoon. The funding was allocated under the CARES Act. 

Pure Michigan, MLive Media Group and “Under the Radar Michigan” announced plans today to host a virtual concert series to benefit the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association Education Foundation’s Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund. 

“Come Together: A Relief Effort for Tourism Workers” will stream live 7-8 p.m. Monday thru Friday next week. on Facebook. Donations collected online will go directly to the new relief fund. 

The Detroit Free Press reports that the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee has added Whitmer to its large collection of more than 6,500 iconic bobbleheads. 

And in the numbers… 

At least 14 COVID-19 cases and three deaths were tracked across Greater Lansing today, including two deaths in Ingham County and a 10th death in Clinton County. The regional death toll stands at 29 with 736 coronavirus cases reported to date across the tri-county area. 

Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail noted that the two latest deaths were both women in their 70s or 80s who were being treated at a hospital with confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Details were not immediately available about the latest death reported in Clinton County.  

Michigan tracked another 977 confirmed coronavirus cases earlier this afternoon with another 77 virus-related deaths, edging up the number of cases past 42,000 with nearly 3,900 deaths. 

Here are the latest statistics for Greater Lansing, Michigan and the country: 

Ingham County                            

Cases — 485 (+12)    

Recoveries — 155                

Recovery Rate — 32%         

Deaths — 13 (+2)      

Fatality Rate — 2.7%               

At least 121-130 cases are in southwest Lansing in zip code 48911. Much of the rest of south Lansing, Mason, East Lansing, Meridian and Bath townships each tally 41-60 cases in zip codes 48910, 48823 and 48854. Zip codes 48864, 48842 and 48906 each track 31-40 cases. Zip codes 48912 and 48915 each track 21-30 cases. Zip codes 48840, 48895, 48917, 48285, 48819, 48827, 48892, 48909, 48933, 49251, 49264 and 49285 each track 10 cases or less.       

Eaton County                            

Cases — 133 (+2)    

Recoveries — 90                

Recovery Rate — 67.7%              

Deaths — 6                     

Fatality Rate — 4.5%                 

Clinton County                            

Cases — 118             

Deaths — 10 (+1)       

Fatality Rate — 8.5%                        

The Mid-Michigan County Health Department does not report recovery statistics.                 

Michigan                            

Cases — 42,356 (+977)    

Recoveries — 8,342 (as of 4/24/20)              

Recovery Rate — 19.7%            

Deaths — 3,866 (+77)    

Fatality Rate — 9.1%              

State reports show  71% of cases (and 81% of deaths) are from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, including Detroit. Other hotspots include Genesee County with 3.8% of cases, Kent County with 3.8% of cases, Washtenaw County with 2.6% of cases, Saginaw County with 1.6% of cases, Ingham County with 1.1% of cases and Kalamazoo County with 1% of cases statewide. At least 3.7% of cases, or 1,560 cases (and 42 deaths) have also been reported among state prisoners.     

Caucasians account for 34% of cases and 48% of deaths statewide. Despite accounting for a smaller segment of the population, African Americans account for 32% of cases and 41% of deaths in Michigan. Those of an unknown race accounted for 21% of cases and 6% of deaths.               

U.S.                          

Cases — 1,091,038 

Deaths — 64,203 

Fatality Rate — 5.9%         

Source: CNN                     

As of this afternoon, Michigan still has reported the seventh most cases in the country, behind New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Michigan also ranks third in most virus-related deaths, behind only the states of New York and New Jersey.