Small businesses in Michigan have been struggling during the pandemic and government-mandated lockdowns and closures. | Shutterstock
Small businesses in Michigan have been struggling during the pandemic and government-mandated lockdowns and closures. | Shutterstock
Receiving criticism of her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the way that she wields power in Michigan is nothing new for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Throughout the pandemic, Whitmer has been targeted for her handling of the situation for everything ranging from closures of small businesses en masse, wielding of political power beyond her constitutional rights and inconsistencies when talking about how Michigan is doing in comparison with other states. And now, things are coming to a head for the embattled governor.
Spinning numbers is nothing new for any politician, but Whitmer appears to be taking things to new heights. On three separate occasions, she has insisted that Michigan ranks 6, 10, or 11 in terms of vaccine distribution, according to Bridge Michigan. According to the CDC, Michigan is actually 17th in terms of first doses administered.
Sen. Mike Shirkey
| #MiSenateGOP
For a state that has had well over 14,000 deaths from coronavirus, some residents are growing restless that they are unable to get consistent information from their government, starting at the top.
Another source of frustration is Whitmer's apparent insistence on keeping the economy closed. The state's restrictions have been borderline unconstitutional, depending on whom you ask. Business owners and residents in the state are growing increasingly frustrated with the governor and her administration as a result.
“Like many Michiganders, we are listening to the governor’s speech tonight in the hopes of hearing answers," Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said, referring to Whitmer's State of the State address, which was delivered Jan. 27, according to Bridge Michigan. "Putting Michigan back to work is long overdue. Tonight we want to hear Gov. Whitmer acknowledge it is time to lift her unnecessary restrictions."
There is a growing feeling in Michigan that in a time when the state is supposed to be recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, economically speaking, things are only getting worse by the day. This all bodes poorly for an administration that needs to figure out how unite the people of Michigan going forward.
Alerts Sign-up