Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is appealing to state high schools to voluntarily discontinue personal classes, all youth sports games and indoor eateries and events for two weeks as her state leads the country in COVID-19 affairs. But some organizations are pushing back.
“While we look at the data closely and observe the distribution of variance, we all need to go beyond the rules we already have in place,” Whitmer said at a news conference Friday. “We all need to sharpen our game for the next two weeks to reduce rising business.”
The restrictions, she stresses, are not mandated, come as cases rise in Michigan, making it the country’s latest virus epicenter. The state reported 7,834 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.
One factor for the boom: a increase in business for teens and children. Since 19 February, state data show that virus cases for children younger than 10% have increased by 230%, which is higher than any age group. Residents aged 10 to 19 years saw a 227% increase in infections during the same period.
“Young people are not impervious to this virus,” Whitmer said.
She advised high schools to temporarily move to remote classes and that restaurant goers should eat outside or rather wear. The governor also insisted that small gatherings be held outside with all individuals wearing masks, and that all youth sports be suspended for the next two weeks.
Contact sports in Michigan were allowed to resume on February 8th. One month later, individuals aged 13-19 had to be tested weekly for COVID-19.
Michigan Governor’s Office via AP
The Michigan Department of Education supports Whitmer’s recommendation to postpone sports and calls on schools to contribute to the overall well-being of our state and the health of our residents.
However, the High School Athletics Association in Michigan has said that all tournaments are held according to schedule, but individual schools may suspend exercises and games voluntarily.
“We will continue to play as safely as possible,” Mark Uyl, the organization’s executive director, said in a statement. ‘The basketball final will conclude all winter sports, as well as the completion of all indoor sports for the school year.
As for the indoor dining room, which reopened in the state on Feb. 1, the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association calls Whitmer’s proposals ‘misleading’ and says the governor uses the restaurant industry as a scapegoat ‘without proof or reliable data’.
“We trust that our operators will continue to provide a safe environment inside or outside in the coming weeks, and we trust Michiganders to do their part to act responsibly and with respect to help us all achieve the outcome, “the association said in a statement.
Michigan schools were initially called upon to reopen personal classes on March 1, but the state Department of Education said they supported Whitmer’s proposals and called on schools to discontinue personal classes voluntarily.
“Educators, students and families in Michigan have taken up the challenge over the past year and I am confident that they will continue to do what is necessary to help save lives as we continue to fight the pandemic,” he said. State Attorney Michael Rice said. a statement.
At the news conference, Whitmer called on all residents to take her recommendations seriously and to continue with the following COVID-19 protocols, such as getting vaccinated, wearing a face mask and wearing social distance.
“It has to be a team effort,” Whitmer said. “We have to do it together. Life depends on it. We have to fight back against COVID-19 variants.”
Max Bayer reported.