Lansing, MI – After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Sunday that her Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) director issued a new emergency order reinstating several COVID-19 restrictions, such as shutting down in-person instruction in high schools, indoor dine-in service at restaurants and bars, high school athletics and other businesses effective Nov. 18 until at least Dec. 8, Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Ida, issued the following statement:
“The health of Michigan families is our absolute top priority. Like much of the nation, Michigan is experiencing a fall surge in COVID-19 cases. A crisis like this requires teamwork, but unfortunately, Gov. Whitmer is once again going it alone.
“Apparently, while we were talking with health care leaders and the governor’s administration about the best way to combat the latest virus surge, the governor was preparing to go it alone again and issue these new restrictions with no input from the people’s representatives.
“I am especially disappointed for high school student athletes who have worked so hard to meet the governor’s health policy, just to have the rug pulled out from under them. It’s another disappointment for students, families and the communities who have been playing sports with the proper safety protocols in place. If there is data that suggests sports is a spreader of the virus, then the governor should provide it. Evidently, collegiate and professional sports are not a spreader because they can continue playing.
“Gov. Whitmer is once again shutting down small, family-owned businesses that provide thousands of jobs — many of which may now be lost. Some businesses may never reopen their doors again after this latest shutdown. If there is data that shows these businesses are the cause of this most recent surge, then the governor owes it to everyone to share that information with the people of Michigan.
“I call on the governor to stop blaming others and circumventing the spirit of the Michigan Supreme Court ruling that encouraged her to work with the Legislature. I urge her to start communicating with her legislative partners before this state is in real ruin, and I remain ready to get to work together with her on this critical issue.”
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