Michigan Senate leader: Will work with governor, won't back mask mandate

[RandySF]

Lansing — Republican Michigan Senate leader Mike Shirkey described his hopes for a strikingly different response to COVID-19 on Saturday, a day after the the state's high court issued a ruling that will effectively force Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to begin working more closely with lawmakers.

State government should shift its approach away from mandating residents take certain actions, like wearing masks, and toward encouraging and informing them, said Shirkey, R-Clarklake.

"I still think we have a responsibility to consider the health of those around us," he said, adding, however, "There will be no caucus support in the Senate, at least, for state mandates for things like masks."

On Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Whitmer, a Democrat, didn't have the authority to issue dozens of unilateral executive orders after April 30 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those orders have required mask wearing in crowded spaces, capacity limits inside businesses, workplace safety standards, restrictions on public gatherings and the closure of indoor bars.



https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/03/michigan-senate-leader-work-governor-wont-back-mask-mandate/3608588001/

[jorgevlorgan]

1. The president of the United States may die of covid

Because he doesn't believe in masks, yet these clowns think it's a great idea to not enforce them.

[Srkdqltr]

2. And when deaths go up they will hide behind each other.

[idziak4ever1234]

3. Michigan, as much as any state, has fought Covid exceptionally effectively

this was based on mask-wearing and prudent closings. I HATE Republicans and hope they all burn in eternal damnation.

[llmart]

4. +1000

Our Republican legislature has always been a bunch of yahoos.

Our Governor has kept our numbers much lower than some other states with GOP Governors (I'm looking at you DeSantis).