While recent changes in the pandemic orders from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services have set aside much of the proposed “MI Vacc to Normal” plan proposed by her administration, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist today have issued statements now that Michigan has reached 60-percent of the population age 16 and older having received at least a first dose of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.
The governor’s office says that Michigan has now administered more shots per 100,000 people than Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina and Georgia.
Governor Whitmer says this morning, “Thanks to every Michigander who stepped up to keep themselves, their family, and their community safe. We can all feel a sense of optimism thanks to the tireless efforts of countless frontline workers who put their own safety on the line to keep the rest of us going. And we are tremendously grateful to the medical community who kept us all safe and created the safe, effective vaccines, all miracles of modern science. As we cross the 60-percent milestone in vaccinations, we are seeing cases, deaths, and hospitalizations continue to fall fast, which has helped to poise our economy for a strong recovery. I know that we can give Michigan the economic jumpstart it needs with the billions in available federal funds and our multi-billion dollar budget surplus. We will emerge from this once-in-a-century pandemic stronger than ever, and I am confident that we can make lasting, transformative investments in our schools, small businesses, and communities to help them thrive.”
For his part, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II says, “I am pleased to see that so many Michiganders are continuing to make the choice to get vaccinated. Thank you to every person who has had a conversation with someone in their life to encourage them to get vaccinated, and the professionals and volunteers who have made vaccines available everywhere in our state. These safe, effective vaccines are our best shot to end this pandemic on our own terms. As more Michiganders make that choice, we come closer and closer to confidently growing our economy across the board, and setting our path toward a stronger Michigan. As we reach these vaccine milestones, we’re able to hug our families, return to offices, enjoy a dinner out at our favorite restaurant, and safely spend time with friends.”
