UP Gazette

There have been approximately 6,400 COVID-19 deaths in Michigan, with 2,005 of those deaths being residents of long-term care facilities, according to Michigan House Republicans.

When the virus first surfaced in March, many long-term facilities quickly made changes and restrictions, including not allowing outside visitors. This was done to protect residents from being exposed to the coronavirus. 

But when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order mandating these centers to accept coronavirus patients, the situation got worse, infecting patients who were housed in the same facility, which previously had no exposure to the virus. This put all nursing home patients at risk.

Rep. Greg Markkanen | Michigan House Republicans

Elders are already at a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus and experiencing complications from it. They tend to have weakened immune systems and many have health conditions as well, all of which contributes to making them more vulnerable. 

Many objected to Whitmer's executive order, which was put in place without receiving input from other lawmakers. Data on senior citizens and the coronavirus go directly against this decision. After implementing the executive order, which is considered a mistake by many Michiganders, the governor has been sticking by it. 

Michigan has one of the highest nursing home patient deaths from COVID-19 in the county, which could be an outcome of Whitmer's executive order.

"How many more of our loved ones will get sick before we end this policy?" Rep. Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) said in a column he wrote for Michigan House Republicans. "The vulnerable people in our nursing homes need people to stand up and be their voice. That’s why my colleagues and I recently approved a plan in the Michigan Legislature to end the governor’s reckless policy and replace it with a safer, smarter strategy."

Senate Bill 956 would protect nursing homes from the governor's executive order. Those who've tested positive for the coronavirus won't be allowed to stay in a nursing home, unless the facility has a separate building dedicated to COVID-19 patients. 

"Michigan’s most vulnerable residents deserve better," Markkanen wrote in his column. "They never should have had to worry about contagious COVID-19 patients being brought into the facilities they call home. I am hopeful the governor will take time to listen to the concerns of legislators and the families we represent. This isn’t a partisan issue. She should sign Senate Bill 956 and put protections for the residents of our long-term care facilities into state law."