Goal is to buy time so hospitals are not overwhelmed
By David Eggert and Ed White
Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday told Michigan residents to stay at home, in her most sweeping order of the coronavirus crisis, warning that a million people could need hospital beds if they keep mixing with each other and spreading the illness.
Whitmer talked about dire results akin to those seen in Italy if people don’t follow her order. COVID-19 deaths in the state have climbed to at least 15 and the number of people infected with the cornonavirus has topped 1,200 since March 10.
“This disease can’t spread person to person if we’re not out there. ... Too many people are still out and about unnecessarily, so we must do more,” Whitmer said.
The order, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, will prohibit employers from requiring workers to leave their homes unless necessary to protect life or conduct minimum basic operations. It also bars all gatherings of any number outside a single household.
“Don’t play fast and loose with what is essential and what’s not. Don’t try to skirt the rules,” said Whitmer, who added that fines against businesses are possible.
Grocery stores, gas stations, banks and pharmacies will be open, and people can run, walk, hike and ride bikes as long as they stay 6 feet from others.
“Do not panic. Do not hoard,” Whitmer said.
Schools will be closed until at least April 13, extending the statewide shutdown by a week.
The stay-at-home policy comes after governors in California, New York, Illinois, Ohio and other states issued similar orders.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.
Under certain models, it’s possible that more than 70% of Michigan residents — 7 million people — could become infected, and 1 million would need to be admitted to hospitals, unless the virus is slowed down, Whitmer said.
“We have about 25,000 acute beds in Michigan. Think about that,” the governor said.
The goal, she said, is to buy time so hospitals are not overwhelmed and have a “fighting chance” by creating surge capacity, accelerating testing and developing therapeutic drugs.
Whitmer a week ago tried to reduce the spread by limiting crowds at popular gathering spots and closing schools. Bars, fitness clubs and theaters are closed, and restaurants can only prepare food for carry-out.
Even fishing isn’t immune. The state will wait until mid-May before stocking mature trout in the Huron River in Oakland County and Spring Mill Pond in Livingston County. Officials don’t want excited anglers getting close to each other to land a big brown trout.
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