|
|
|
Gov.
Whitmer
takes
action
to save
lives,
with
executive
order
requiring
mask use
in all
Indoor
public
spaces
Following
uptick
in
COVID-19
cases,
Governor
Whitmer
Says
“Mask
Up,
Michigan!”
LANSING,
Mich. --
Today,
Governor
Gretchen
Whitmer
signed
executive
order
2020-147,
which
reiterates
that
individuals
are
required
to wear
a face
covering
whenever
they are
in an
indoor
public
space.
It also
requires
the use
of face
coverings
in
crowded
outdoor
spaces.
Most
significantly,
the
order
requires
any
business
that is
open to
the
public
to
refuse
entry or
service
to
people
who
refuse
to wear
a face
covering,
with
limited
exceptions.
Governors
in the
states
of
Kansas,
Maine,
Nevada,
Pennsylvania,
and
Washington
have
imposed
similar
requirements
on
businesses.
Governor
Whitmer
signed
this
executive
order in
response
to
rising
COVID-19
cases in
Michigan
and
across
the
country.
Executive
Order
2020-147
reinforces
and
expands
upon the
governor’s
previous
executive
orders
on
safely
restarting
Michigan’s
economy
and
ensuring
workplace
safety.
“The
heroes
on the
front
lines of
this
crisis
have
gone
hours
without
taking
their
masks
off
every
day –
doctors,
nurses,
child
care
workers,
grocery
store
workers.
We owe
it to
them to
wear our
masks
when
we’re on
a trip
to the
grocery
store or
pharmacy,”
said
Governor
Whitmer.
“Masks
can
reduce
the
chance
of
spreading
COVID-19
by about
70
percent.
By
wearing
masks,
we can
save
lives
and
protect
our
family,
friends,
and
neighbors
from the
spread
of
COVID-19.
And by
wearing
masks
now, we
can put
our
state in
a
stronger
position
so our
kids can
return
to
school
safely
in the
fall.
For the
sake of
your
loved
ones,
let’s
all mask
up,
Michigan.”
Over
the past
week,
every
region
in
Michigan
has seen
an
uptick
in new
cases,
and
daily
case
counts
now
exceed
20 cases
per
million
in the
Grand
Rapids,
Detroit,
and
Lansing
regions.
Research
confirms
that a
big part
of the
reason
is
spotty
compliance
with the
governor’s
requirement,
issued
in prior
orders,
that
individuals
wear
face
coverings
in
public
spaces.
Studies
have
shown
that
wearing
a mask
can save
lives
and
significantly
lover an
individual’s
chance
of
spreading
COVID-19.
A study
on
different
regions
in
Germany,
for
example,
suggests
that the
adoption
of
mandatory
mask
ordinances
decreased
the
daily
growth
rate of
COVID-19
infections
by 40%.
Modeling
from the
University
of
Washington
similarly
indicates
that
more
than
40,000
lives
would be
spared
nationwide
if 95%
of the
population
wore a
mask
while in
public.
Furthermore,
a study
conducted
by
Goldman
Sachs
concluded
that a
federal
mask
mandate
could
save the
U.S.
economy
from
taking a
5% hit
to our
GDP.
“Michigan's
fight
against
COVID-19
is
nowhere
near
over,
which is
why it’s
so
important
that we
all do
our part
and wear
masks
when
we’re
out in
public,”
said
Chief
Medical
Executive
and DHHS
Chief
Deputy
for
Health
Dr.
Joneigh
Khaldun.
“Wearing
a mask
or face
covering
can
significantly
decrease
the
chance
of
spreading
COVID-19
and save
lives.
It’s
important
that all
Michiganders
wear
masks
properly
- not
down
around
the
neck,
not only
over the
mouth,
but
correctly
over the
mouth
and
nose.
Please
everyone
stay
patient,
and
remain
vigilant.”
Under
the
governor’s
order,
businesses
that are
open to
the
public
must
refuse
entry
and
service
to
individuals
who fail
to
comply,
and must
post
signs at
all
entrances
instructing
customers
of their
legal
obligation
to wear
a face
covering
while
inside.
Those
who are
exempt
from
wearing
a mask
in
Michigan
businesses
include
people
younger
than
five
years
old,
those
who
cannot
medically
tolerate
a face
covering,
and
those
who are
eating
or
drinking
while
seated
at a
food
service
establishment.
The
executive
order
takes
effect
at
12:01am
on
Monday,
July 13.
A
willful
violation
of the
order is
a
misdemeanor
subject
to a
$500
criminal
penalty,
but no
term of
confinement
may be
imposed
on
individuals
who
violate
the mask
requirement.
No
individual
is
subject
to
penalty
under
the
order
for
removing
a mask
while
engaging
in
religious
worship
at a
house of
religious
worship,
although
consistent
with
guidance
from the
CDC,
congregants
are
strongly
encouraged
to wear
face
coverings
during
religious
services.
To
view
Executive
Order
2020-147,
click
the link
below:
EO
2020-147
Emerg
order -
Masks.pdf
|
|
|
|
|
|