Gretchen Whitmer: I Have Made Gut-Wrenching Choices to Keep People Safe

[brooklynite]

New York Times

Since the first positive coronavirus cases were discovered in the United States, governors across the country have made tough choices to protect their citizens. From the beginning, Democratic and Republican governors took action because the health and well-being of our families and neighbors are our No. 1 priority.

When it comes to fighting this virus, we are all on the same team. Right now, mankind has a common enemy, and it’s Covid-19.

Governors have made gut-wrenching decisions in the face of a threat unlike any we’ve seen before. We have had to close school buildings for the rest of the academic year and to direct small-business owners who have spent a lifetime building their businesses to close their doors. We’ve had to close restaurants, movie theaters and barbershops and to limit in-state travel.

I never imagined having to use the levers of my office this way to protect the people I serve. Each action taken weighs heavily on me. Each action has been informed by the best science and epidemiology counsel there is. These choices have been tough. They haven’t always been popular. And we will never know precisely how many lives were saved as a result.

[Johnny2X2X]

1. She's been great here

The majority of the state approves of the way she's handled this crisis, only Trump's base is upset. She's at 57-37 for approval for her job during this crisis, considering the difficulty of the decisions she's had to make that is remarkable. No one is happy stuck at home, but the majority understand it.

[CottonBear]

2. She is an amazing, competent and caring Governor.

Unfortunately, I’m in Georgia where Brian KKKemp (R-Governor Georgia) is forcing small and minority owned businesses, which are staffed by mainly poor (white, brown & black) workers, to open or lose out on rescue funds, and cause employees to be unable to claim unemployment benefits if they don’t go back to work in a dangerous setting.

[llmart]

3. We are very lucky to have her as Governor at this time.

Can you just imagine if Snyder was still in office? He had no problem poisoning one of our biggest cities - Flint, so I'm quite sure he'd have no problem with opening up the floodgates to this new threat and let it run amok throughout Michigan.

Thank you, Governor Whitmer! So glad I voted for you.

[gibraltar72]

4. best vote I ever made inside Michigan.

I've met her and talked to her. In a handshake over Trump I'd take her. She's something.