HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has repeatedly appealed to Michigan residents to stay home and stay safe — minimizing their exposure to COVID-19, which has, so far, killed 417 in this state, more than 6,000 nationwide, and at least 54,000 globally.
A Detroit bus driver, Jason Hargrove, died from the illness after warning people of the dangers of using public transportation. His video includes a statement that he got ill after one o f his passengers boarded while coughing.
Rep. Debbie Dingell announced yesterday that she has at least 12 friends who have died from the aggressive upper-respiratory illness,and many more in Southeast Michigan with the virus, either hospitalized or quarantined at home, trying to recover.
On Thursday, April 2, 2020, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon issued an emergency order enacting a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for those violating the order — and possible license sanctions for non-essential businesses operating in violation of Whitmer’s stay home order.
“A person can have coronavirus without knowing it,” Gordon said. “They can spread the disease to others who can spread it to others. The only way to stop the spread is social distancing. A civil penalty and potential licensing actions send a strong message to Michiganders that social distancing is essential to saving lives.”
The Emergency Order requires every person to comply with these rules:
No large gatherings or events, recreational vehicle travel (driving, boating, motorcycle riding, etc.)
No in-person work, unless necessary to sustain or protect life.
Schools buildings closed; online education is set to be underway for most K-12 schools.
Limits to access for places of public accommodation. Some state parks have been closed after crowds of people showed up; municipalities and school districts have ordered parks and playgrounds closed, because equipment cannot be appropriately sanitized.“There is not a vaccine or a recognized treatment for COVID-19 and our healthcare system is being severely taxed by this pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We need people to heed the Stay Home, Stay Safe order as well as other orders issued by the Governor to protect the health and safety of all Michiganders.”
While places of religious worship, when used for religious worship, are exempt from the emergency rules, most — if not all — in Michigan have adopted online streaming or video services, or endorsed a pray-at -home practice.
The state order allows local police and health department officials to enforce the order, including allow police to bar access to businesses and other operations violating the order.
County prosecutors are authorized to enforce the order in the interest of public health, according to the order. The complete text of the order is online.
COVID-19 figures change daily. Learn more at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
