(WWJ) Michigan is in good shape in its fight against COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said during a press conference on Tuesday, despite an outbreak tied to Harper's Bar in East Lansing and an uptick to 200 new infections reported a day.
The state is on track to reopen its K-12 schools this fall with extra safety precautions.
"We can't let our guard down now," Whitmer said during a Tuesday press conference where she revealed a 63-page report on safety protocols and expectations for the next school year.
The plan, entitled the MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap, restricts in-person instruction when the infection rate is high and loosens it when case numbers drop.
Safety measures include:
- Staff and teachers would have to wear face masks at all times.
- All students would have to wear face masks in hallways and common areas and on buses.
- Every student would have to use hand sanitizer before getting on the bus.
- Students in grade 6 through 12 would have to wear face masks at all times; younger students wouldn't have to wear face masks in classrooms.
- It would be recommended that desks be placed six feet apart and students and teachers social distance, even in the classroom.
- Schools would have to work with local health departments on screening protocols.
- No indoor assemblies with students from more than one classroom would be allowed.
- Most meals should be served in the classroom or outdoors, with meal times staggered to allow social distancing.
- Spectators at school athletics would be allowed if they are wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing.
"Our students, parents, and educators have made incredible sacrifices during our battle with COVID-19," Whitmer said in a statement. "Thanks to our aggressive action against this virus, the teachers who have found creative ways to reach their students, and the heroes on the front lines, I am optimistic that we will return to in-person learning in the fall. The MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap will help provide schools with the guidance they need as they enact strict safety measures to continue protecting educators, students, and their families." SEE THE ENTIRE ROADMAP FOR SCHOOLS HERE.
Whitmer said she will also allocate $256 million to help schools cover the costs. That's different from the Republican lawmaker plan announced last week that called for $1.3 billion in federal funding to be used for one-time boosts of $800 per pupil to K-12 schools -- plus and an extra $500 stipend for teachers who have been working through the pandemic. Another $80 million, under the Republican plan would go to schools to pay for distance learning plans and increased safety protocol for in-person instruction.
This plan comes after Whitmer appointed a 20-person Return to Learning Advisory Council in May to develop best practices. And it follows the governor saying last week that she was not moving the the state into the next phase of her economic recovery plan as she'd hope to do so, due to rising case numbers. Casinos, gyms, indoor movie theaters and more would be allowed to reopen in Phase 5.
Speaking live on WWJ Newsradio 950 on Monday, Whitmer said she would not rule out another lockdown if the case count continues to grow.
"I don't want to predict if that's likely or not, I can just tell you if people drop their guard and we see exponential growth, it increases the possibility that it might be necessary. That's why I'm asking people to please mask up," Whitmer said. "This is a holiday weekend, I know you're going to want to be out and about. Wear that mask. Get a beautiful patriotic one, or make one. Public health is not a political question, it's about being smart and smart people wear masks. And we can do this."
