Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey Urges Governor to Loosen Restrictions

(April 9, 2020 3:47 PM) Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, today issued the following statement urging Governor Whitmer to revise her stay-at-home order which was extended this afternoon: 

“Michiganders have spent the past three weeks living under an order that severely restricts their ability to work outside their homes, earn a living, and participate in society.  Their lives have been dramatically altered as a result of the presence of COVID-19 in our state.

“Governor Whitmer put the ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ Order in place to protect the health and safety of all citizens and to support healthcare workers on the front lines battling the effects of COVID-19 on our population.  Since that time, case numbers have increased in certain areas of the state, while other regions have seen little to no growth in the number of residents impacted by the virus.

“In times of crisis, swift bold action is often necessary to address immediate needs.  Once that action is taken, the next logical step is a comprehensive evaluation of circumstances followed by commonsense revisions.  Now is the time for Governor Whitmer to make those commonsense revisions to her Order.

 “The Senate Republicans believe a strategic application of “Stay Home, Stay Safe” is appropriate going forward.  Individuals living in regions of the state that are experiencing little to no growth in infection rates should be able to return to their jobs to support their families if proper safety protocols are put in place.  Similarly, businesses that can implement strict health and safety measures should be permitted to remain open and operational regardless of whether they are deemed ‘essential.’ Regions with continued high infection rates should continue to see tighter restrictions. 

“The Senate Republicans have faith in our citizens.  We believe individuals who are made aware of the importance of healthy behaviors will wash their hands, practice social distancing, and wear masks.  We believe business owners will act responsibly and take care within their establishments to clean and disinfect their equipment, protect their workers and customers, and meet strict health and safety standards.  We believe parents will protect their children, clergy will make worship services safe for their congregants, and neighbors will look out for their communities.

“Governor Whitmer’s decision to extend the Order for another three weeks without commonsense revisions will unnecessarily hurt regions of our state and sectors of our economy that can operate, safely.  After an initial three weeks of extraordinary restrictions on their freedoms and their livelihoods, our citizens have earned our trust and our faith in their ability to be an active part of keeping Michigan healthy and safe.”