Capitol News

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has re-imposed statewide restrictions to respond to a spike in COVID-19 cases, but some state residents disagree. 

On July 1 she ordered all indoor bars and most nightclubs and strip clubs closed in most of lower Michigan, including Detroit. On July 10, she issued an executive order mandating masks in all indoor public settings.

“The heroes on the front lines of this crisis have gone hours without taking their masks off every day — doctors, nurses, child care workers, grocery store workers," she said. "We owe it to them to wear our masks when we’re on a trip to the grocery store or pharmacy. 

"Masks can reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19 by about 70 percent. By wearing masks we can save lives and protect our family, friends, and neighbors from the spread of COVID-19. And by wearing masks now, we can put our state in a stronger position so our kids can return to school safely in the fall. For the sake of your loved ones, let’s all mask up, Michigan.”

Not everyone agrees that such drastic steps are needed. Jason Howland, a business owner who lives in Clinton Township but was born, and grew up in Grand Rapids, has his doubts. He said her July 9 news conference failed to convince him.

“First, Whitmer is very retaliatory,” he told Capitol News. “The articles and press coming out in days previous to her conference were pointing out criminal complaints and investigations into the nursing home killings. The underlying message was: Do what I say or I’ll continue to make it worse.”

The governor told CNN she has taken a great deal of criticism for her actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and is willing to absorb more by doing what she thinks he is right.

“We’re going to continue to monitor the numbers,” Whitmer said during an interview with CNN's ‘New Day’ on July 7. “If they keep moving up, we’re going to dial back if we have to. And it’s the last thing any of us wants. I took a lot of heat. When we brought that curve down, we saved thousands of lives. I’m prepared to take heat if that’s what it’s going to take to keep people safe.”

Howland said Whitmer is trying to lead by ultimatum.

“She was absolutely threatening to go back to Phase 3 or even 2 — lockdown,” he said.

Howland said he is a husband, father and patriot “who’s never run for office and does not have plans to do so at this time because he feels he can have a bigger influence without being tied to the restraining of the political world.”

Howland was in Lansing in April protesting the governor's orders. He live-streamed the protest and the video had hundreds of thousands of views. There was strong opposition to some of Whitmer’s decisions, and armed men and women gathered at the state Capitol three times as a sign of strength.

Howland said the governor is being hypocritical by setting strict guidelines on public gatherings when she appears at crowded Black Lives Matter protests.

“Her reaction is completely unjustified,” he said. “This is purely political. When you see the governor in pictures at Black Lives Matter riots, clearly not ‘social distancing’ as they call it, you know this isn’t about a virus.”