Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has become a target for Republicans over her strict stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Democrat has faced protests and lawsuits over the order that has some of the toughest restrictions in the nation, including banning people from traveling to their vacation homes and or buying seeds for their gardens. On Friday, President Trump weighed in with a “LIBERATE MICHIGAN” tweet.
“Michigan, right now, has the third-highest death count in the country,” Whitmer told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, adding, “We need to take a uniquely aggressive action to protect people. Our actions are working. You know, my stay-home order is one of the nation’s more conservative, but the fact of the matter is, it’s working. We are seeing the curve start to flatten. And that means we’re saving lives.”
CNN’s Jake Tapper pointed out that some residents have expressed confusion over why they’re allowed to use a kayak but not a Jet Ski.
“The vast majority of Michiganders understand that not going to the gas station to fill up your boat so that you can go tooling around is a sacrifice, but it’s one that is worth it because who among us wouldn’t rather forgo jet skiing or boating right now if it’s going to save your grandparent or your neighbor’s life?” the governor replied. “That’s precisely what the, the trade-off is in this moment.”
