Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urges state high schools to voluntarily suspend face-to-face classes, all youth sports games and indoor meetings and rallies for two weeks as her state leads the nation in COVID- 19. But some organizations are backing down.
“As we look at the data and look at the spread of variance, we all need to go beyond the standards we already have in place,” Whitmer said at a news conference Friday. “We all need to step up our game over the next two weeks to reduce the number of cases on the rise.”
The restrictions, which he stressed are not mandated, come as cases increase throughout Michigan, making it the last virus epicenter in the country. The state reported 7,834 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday.
A factor for the rise: a increase in cases for teenagers and children. Since February 19, state data show that virus cases in children under 10 jumped 230%, which is higher than any age group. Residents aged 10 to 19 experienced a 227% increase in infections over the same time period.
“Young people are not impervious to this virus,” Whitmer said.
He advised high schools to temporarily move to remote classes and for restaurant visitors to eat out or choose to bring them in place. The governor also insisted that small meetings be held outside with all the people wearing masks and that all youth sports stop games and practices for the next two weeks.
Contact sports were allowed to resume in Michigan on February 8th. One month later, 13- to 19-year-olds had to take weekly COVID-19 tests.
Office of the Governor of Michigan through AP
The Michigan Department of Education supported Whitmer’s recommendation to delay the sport and called on schools to contribute “to the common good of our state and the health of our residents.”
However, the Michigan High School Athletics Association said all tournaments will be held as scheduled, but individual schools may voluntarily suspend practices and games.
“We will continue to play as safely as possible,” Mark Uyl, the organization’s executive director, said in a statement. “The basketball finals will conclude all winter sports, in addition to finishing all high school sports covered during the school year.
As for the indoor dining room, which reopened in the state on Feb. 1, the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association called Whitmer’s suggestions “misguided” and said the governor was using the restaurant industry as a scapegoat “without evidence or reliable data.”
“We are confident that our operators will continue to provide a safe environment indoors or outdoors in the coming weeks and we trust that Michiganders will do its part to act responsibly and respectfully to help us achieve this result,” he said. the association in a statement.
Michigan schools were initially urged to reopen face-to-face classes on March 1, but the state Department of Education said they supported Whitmer’s suggestions and asked schools to suspend voluntarily. face-to-face classes.
“Michigan educators, students and families have faced the challenge over the past year and I am sure they will continue to do whatever it takes to save lives as we continue to fight the pandemic,” Dr. a statement.
At the press conference, Whitmer urged all residents to take their recommendations seriously and continue to follow existing COVID-19 protocols, such as getting vaccinated, wearing a face mask, and social distancing.
“That has to be a team effort,” Whitmer said. “We have to do it together. Life depends on it. We have to fight variants of COVID-19.”
Max Bayer contributed to the reports.