Congressman Fred Upton and his Republican colleagues on the Michigan delegation are voicing alarm over Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s most recent update to her Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order, and told her so in a letter dispatched overnight.
Last night, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Congressman Paul Mitchell (MI-10), Congressman Fred Upton (MI-06), Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07), Congressman John Moolenaar (MI-04), and Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) sent a letter to Governor Whitmer expressing their serious concerns with her most recent updated orders. In the letter, the Republican delegation also encourages the Governor to make common sense modifications to the order.
The Michigan Republican Delegation writes:
“Unfortunately, your latest order is far too restrictive and includes provisions that seem arbitrary and internally inconsistent. For example, within individual stores some entire sections are closed, while customers can still access other areas of the same building. Some prohibited activities that never require close contact with other individuals during normal operations are now prohibited entirely.
“We believe there is a better approach. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – in fulfilling its defined federal constitutional duties – has issued clear guidance to mitigate the transmission of the virus, guidance that was developed by health experts. By following this guidance businesses can ensure people remain six feet apart, properly sanitize, set up sneeze guards and protective barriers, promote proper handwashing and cleaning techniques for their employees, while also protecting customers with similar guidelines. Individuals can practice proper social distancing and mitigation techniques while avoiding activities that jeopardize the health of themselves or others. If businesses fail to establish and enforce proper social distancing or if citizens’ actions begin to endanger each other, then the state could take additional well-defined action. But most people recognize the dangers of coronavirus and will act responsibly.
“Instead of needlessly shutting down large sectors of the economy and further restricting the lives of residents, we believe amending Executive Order 2020-42 can achieve our shared goal of protecting public health while also beginning the slow process of resuscitating our economy.”
The delegation’s entire letter to Governor Whitmer is available by clicking this link:
