Gym owners, bowling alley proprietors, and theater operators who have been closed for more than half of the year to date failed to get the green light today from Governor Gretchen Whitmer has had been predicted by multiple news outlets who fully anticipated that she would finally pave the way for some form of re-engagement. Instead, the governor said nothing on the matter until a final comment ahead of opening the press conference to a few questions. That final comment crushed the hopes of all who had waited to hear good news from her.
Here is what she had to say today:
“A few words about gyms and organized sports. A lot of people are feeling anxious, our students, and parents and coaches and small business owners. I also know that Michiganders and me included, love sports. We love to compete, it’s in our DNA, and it’s a part of what makes this state so special. When it comes to battling COVID 19, we all need to be on the same team. I want people to understand that we are working around the clock, and have been throughout the duration, to ensure that every determination is made with the best expertise, the best protocols and following the best science. That’s what we’ve continued to do and that’s how we will continue to operate. It’s also what has contributed to Michigan being in the strong position that we are relative to the rest of the country, and we have to get this right. We take this very seriously, and the decisions that I will make in the coming days, and announce, will be made in a way that protects athletes and families, and coaches and patrons, and our small business owners as well. People’s lives are at stake. COVID-19 is still a very real threat all across our state, and I will continue to treat it like that. For now I want everyone to know that I will have more to say on this topic very soon, so stay tuned, keep your eye on the ball, and keep working to fight this virus together.”
Probed on the matter by reporters who reacted to her statement last week that she would “not be bullied” into a decision, Whitmer said, “I know that there are strong feelings, I know that there are legitimate anxieties out there. Much sacrifice has been made and I respect the business owners who are worried about how and when they can safely re-engage. That’s something that is really important, and this has been a really hard time for everyone. I want to make sure that we get this right. The phrase that I used is simply meant to communicate that. I’m not going to be pushed, or encouraged or ‘tweeted’ into making a decision that isn’t supported by the science or fails to hold up the proper protocols. We’ve made a lot of progress in our state with containing COVID 19, as we look to engage additional sectors, it’s going to be really important that we continue to watch the science, and as I said, we will be making some determinations in the very near future.”
Asked about how casinos could be considered safer or different from those businesses that are still closed, Whitmer said, “I hear the argument about the casinos being open as well, and I think that the appropriate response is that what we have seen in Michigan is our tribal nations have been in operation much longer than the three Detroit casinos. They are sovereign nations and they are able to do that, and we’ve worked very closely with them, and have been learning from and sharing information with them and lending support when necessary. The fact of the matter is that they’ve been re-engaging in a way that we have not seen a big outbreak, so working with the Detroit three casinos, recognizing that 15-percent (capacity) is a very small number when you consider how many people aren’t in the casinos, we thought that was an appropriate step to take because we have seen in practice that it can be done safely. Unfortunately I think in these other spaces there has been ample evidence that if not done in an appropriate way, they can be spreaders, and that’s why we wanted to make sure that we get the protocols correct. I think that we’ve got an idea of what that looks like, and as I’ve said in the very near future there will be more to be said on that front.”
Using her own words that the state is faring better than many, the governor was asked how she felt about the fact that some of those same states have, in fact, allowed sports to resume and opened gyms, fitness centers and the like. She reiterated, “There will be more to come, but I would just acknowledge that the reason we are in a stronger position is because we’ve been following the science and have been very smart about promulgating protocols. We’ve been working with leaders in these various parts of our economy to ensure that when they are engaged they can do so safely. With our numbers, as Dr. J. articulated moments ago we’re seeing levels in regions 6 and 8 that are concerning, and being very mindful of following the science and continuing to do what we’ve done to get us in this strong of a position is going to be important for our long term health and our long term economic security. This is a space where there will be more to come in short order on this front, but the thing that is so important is that people continue to do what it takes to be safe, and that means mask-wearing. No one wants to engage additional things in our economy more than I. This has been a tough time for every single one of us. The more normalcy we can have, the better for all of us but, it is absolutely hand-in-hand with the number of cases of COVID across the state, and whether or not we all mask up. So, if we want to continue to keep this economy engaged and engage further, and keep our kids getting their education, and the possibility of sports, we’ve got to mask up so that we don’t see these numbers go up.”
When reporter Tim Skubick wondered if the governor backed off on opening the remaining closed sectors because she might look as if she had caved to pressure, she responded simply “No,” and regarding Skubick’s follow up on the potential for the virus to spread through airborne transmission, replied, “We know that COVID 19 spreads through respiratory means, and that’s why mask-wearing is so important. When somebody’s breathing heavily in an enclosed space and close to other people, those are the conditions where you see the virus spread, and that’s why we’re being so thoughtful about how we re-engage this in a safe manner and at the appropriate time.”
Asked about the Michigan High School Athletic Association seemingly “punting the ball” back to her regarding high school football, Whitmer said, “I think that there are leaders in various roles that are struggling to figure out the right thing to do as the science is incredibly important that we stay focused on that, and that we work together, and I think that crises really reveal true character, it has been said, and I think we see that happening. I will continue to work with the MHSAA to make sure that the steps that are taken are tethered to the best science and keep our athletes and their families and our educators safe.”
So, for your return to fitness, gyms, bowling alleys and the movies…you’ll just have to stay tuned again.
