UP Gazette

Throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration has touted its response and the effect that Michigan's lockdowns and restrictions have had on the number of coronavirus cases in the state.

Although Michigan was able to maintain a lead in controlling the number of cases when the pandemic began, due to its incredibly strict guidelines and restrictions, its progress has slowed in recent months, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

In addition, many constituents have been critical of the messaging put forth by Whitmer and her colleagues.

Gongwer News Service, "Michigan's home for policy and politics," has asserted that the measures taken by the state have helped it to have lower case numbers and deaths than the surrounding states. The problem is that current data does not suggest that that is true anymore.

Despite continued assertions that the state is leading the region, Wisconsin, Minnesota and other nearby states are pacing very close to Michigan when it comes to COVID-19 case counts.

When compared with other states, it appears as though Michigan is not performing much better. However, it is also becoming clear that the indoor dining bans that have been enacted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are damaging the economy and costing thousands of people their jobs, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

Michigan Republicans are calling on the governor to lift these restrictions and make it easier for the state's economy to recover as the COVID-19 vaccine is expected to become more widely available over the next few months.

Whitmer shows no signs of retracting the restrictions right now, which her administration claims are keeping the state ahead when it comes to coronavirus cases. To add to the confusion, there appears to be conflicting data and varying importance placed on the data, with some metrics being considered more important than other metrics, depending on whom you ask.

For the most part, the issue of COVID-19 restrictions and business closures continues to be split down party lines.