Monroe Review

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer believes there is still much to be done in Michigan to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but at least one House Republican believes her stay-at-home order goes too far.

"One person unknowingly carrying COVID-19 can infect another 40, who can then infect thousands more," Whitmer said, according to 3WWMT. “This is a challenge unlike we’ve ever confronted. That’s precisely why we have to do everything we can to protect each other and save lives.”

Whitmer said that the stay-at-home order needs to be followed and that the state would continue working on addressing unemployment claims and access to health care.

“It is essential we remove barriers as quickly as possible to ensure more Michiganders have access to lifesaving health care," Whitmer said, reported by 3WWMT. "We’ve already taken steps to expand access through increasing the ability for people to have telemedicine, but we need the federal government to agree to open up this special enrollment period.”

Whitmer is one of about one dozen governors asking the federal government to open up a special enrollment period on the federal health exchange to help those who don't currently have health insurance or have lost their health insurance due COVID-19-related job loss.

House Rep. Jason Sheppard (R-Temperance) doesn't agree with Whitmer, according to a column he shared on Michigan House Republicans. He says Whitmer's stay-at-home order puts the state's economy in a state of peril.

"I joined my colleagues in the Legislature in discussions with Gov. Whitmer, asking her to consider adopting the latest guidelines issued by the federal government’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which were revised to provide clarity and address critical seasonal jobs that can be done safely outdoors," Sheppard said in the column. "Unfortunately, not only did the governor ignore our request, she decided to move us in the opposite direction -- placing more restrictions on people and job providers throughout Michigan."

Sheppard said Whitmer's orders to stop selling nonessential items and block off those areas in stores is frustrating. He also said he doesn't agree with her closures of some businesses that were deemed nonessential.

"We’re not talking about jobs that would compromise public health," Sheppard said in the column. "This is about making commonsense adjustments that can help get our economy headed back in the right direction. Business owners help drive our state’s economy, and their success depends on adapting to constant changes."

Sheppard says COVID-19 is no different from any other threat that requires adaptation, and he believes Whitmer should provide flexibility for business owners and not use a "one-size-fits-all" approach.