Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey
Update, 7:41 a.m. Friday: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday that she hopes for some relaxing of the state's "stay home" order on May 1.
Appearing on ABC's "Good Morning America," she gave no specifics on what would happen two weeks from today. She emphasized that easing the order depends on science and data, which is subject to change.
Meanwhile, on Thursday Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, NAACP president of Detroit branch, said in a statement the state of Michigan is not ready to go back to business as usual during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“To open up before the state is ready would be disastrous. It would set back the current progress that is being made to fight this disease,” Rev. Wendell said. “We need more tests, greater access to healthcare throughout the community, more PPE for healthcare workers, and a government that is committed to ending the socio-economic and racial disparities existing in Detroit and other urban areas.”
Original post, Thursday:
Michigan Senate Republicans on Thursday released a plan to reopen the state's economy in phases, just after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced she would team up with midwestern governors for a coordinated regional response.
According to The Detroit News, the five-phase plan will first allow the reopening of businesses that would currently be able to operate under federal guidelines. Whitmer has barred some from operating, like landscapers and housing construction workers.
Phase two would allow "lower exposure risk" businesses to open with distancing and other safety protocols in place. It would kick in when cases and deaths fall for five days within a seven day period and hospital systems drop below 75-percent capacity.
Social activity would still not be permitted in the initial phases.
Whitmer has not outlined specifics of a reopening. A joint statement says she'll coordinate with the governors of Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, but adds that does not mean they will all restart their economies on the same date.
The governors say they'll "make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor, and education."
Four factors will inform the decisions, the statement said:
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Sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations.
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Enhanced ability to test people and trace conbtacts of those who're positive.
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Sufficient health care capacity to handle resurgence.
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Best practices for social distancing in the workplace.
President Donald Trump was expected to announce new federal guidance on a reopening Thursday.
