COMMITTEE TO ELECT BARTHOLOMEW JAMES LOWER issued the following announcement on April 23.
I have been listening to the people of Lenawee County and I know this has been an unspeakable struggle over the past month. Our community has not been spared from the coronavirus shattering the health of so many across Michigan. Likewise, our friends, families and neighbors have not been spared from lost jobs, lost opportunities and lost hope.
The questions on everyone’s mind: What comes next? How do we recover? How do we regain and hold on to hope?
Our recovery and comeback, as a community and as a state, is a team effort – absolutely everyone must do their part to limit the spread of COVID-19 by continuing social distancing, remaining vigilant with washing of hands and surfaces, and looking out for the vulnerable in our community. As we continue those safe practices, we must work together, realizing a future with brighter days ahead. Through our efforts and the work of our courageous health professionals, we will stop the spread of this virus and rebuild our lives.
There are real reasons for hope and optimism, as we stand together with a united resolve to recover. First, there is a flattening of the curve and lower caseloads in many areas of the state. In addition, I have been working with colleagues in the Legislature on a “roadmap” for Michigan’s successful comeback and this plausible, prudent plan was released this week.
The strategy calls for a rolling restart of Michigan’s economy based on region of the state, recognizing COVID-19 prevalence varies by county.
The approach would include the creation of a ‘transition task force’ to place counties into one of three tiers, based on coronavirus activity and other factors, such as hospitalization rates and capacity. Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties – which have nearly 80 percent of COVID-19 cases in the state – would be in the tier with strictest restrictions. Other counties would be placed in tiers with fewer restrictions.
The same task force would help determine which jobs and activities could be resumed safely, starting from the premise of federal CISA guidelines, which are already being used in many other states and are not as restrictive as the prohibitions now in place in Michigan. The task force would make frequent recommendations to the governor to reflect changes in coronavirus activity.
Thousands of people across Michigan are suffering. I know the governor wants to protect public health and I share that critical mission with her. Yet, I believe some of her restrictions have gone too far and have prevented some from going back to work and other activities when they could do so safely. There are small businesses able to operate safely, meaning their employees and customers are safe because of proper social distancing and aggressive health protocols. They should be allowed to return to work. It is time to look forward together.
The end of the governor’s current ‘stay home’ order is on May 1. As that date approaches, I am hoping the governor will work in partnership with the Legislature and take a fresh, data-driven look at a solid and safe plan for our state. This crisis has sadly hurt many people, but we can get through this together and we can rebuild together.
If too many worksites are shut down for too long, many across Lenawee County and our state may not have jobs to return to at all. Non-profit organizations and the vulnerable among us need Michigan to safely get back to work. Governments and community organizations won’t have the resources to support those who are struggling and those harmed by coronavirus – because the tax dollars that pay for those important efforts will have faded away and dwindled.
If people can return to work safely – and I emphasize safely – we must allow that to happen sooner rather than later.
We must begin this part of the fight against coronavirus. We must resolve – together – to begin this recovery.
Original source here.
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