LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Lana Theis released the following statement on Thursday after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-42 was issued to extend her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order until April 30.
“Earlier this week, I voiced my support for extending Michigan’s emergency declaration, in part because it is necessary for our state to continue to receive support from the federal government. I also agree that, for most, a stay-at-home order makes sense at this time and is beneficial to mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
“However, like many residents in Livingston and Washtenaw counties, I am extraordinarily frustrated by restrictions on private businesses that are preventing people from working who could safely be doing their jobs. This includes workers who, in the course of doing their business, do not come into contact with others in a way that would violate CDC guidelines. As is the case in neighboring states, there should be exemptions in Michigan for workers in construction, landscaping, and other lines of work where there is little interpersonal contact.
“Thousands of people are now seeking unemployment benefits when they would like nothing better than to get back to work. If they can do so safely, they should be allowed to. We need to strike a better balance of protecting public health and getting Michigan back to work safely. I am hopeful that the governor will rethink this order and make commonsense revisions as a first step to getting our state back in business.”
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