(WWJ) Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office says she is coordinating with six other governors on efforts to reopen the Midwest region's economy in a way that prioritizes workers' health.
Along with Whitmer, the group includes Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Minnesota Gov, Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
"We look forward to working with experts and taking a fact-based, data-driven approach to reopening our economy in a way that protect families from the spread of COVID-19," the governors said in a joint statement.
The governors said they will closely examine at least the following four factors when determining when best to reopen the economy:
- Sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations.
- Enhanced ability to test and trace.
- Sufficient health care capacity to handle resurgence.
- And best practices for social distancing in the workplace.
"We are doing everything we can to protect the people of our states and slow the spread of COVID-19, and we are eager to work together to mitigate the economic crisis this virus has caused in our region," the governor said. "Here in the Midwest, we are bound by our commitment to our people and the community. We recognize that our economies are all reliant on each other, and we must work together to safely reopen them so hardworking people can get back to work and businesses can get back on their feet."
"Our number one priority when analyzing when best to reopen our economy is the health and safety of our citizens. We will make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor, and education," the governors added. "Phasing in sectors of our economy will be most effective when we work together as a region. This doesn't mean our economy will reopen all at once, or that every state will take the same steps at the same time. But close coordination will ensure we get this right. Over time, people will go back to work, restaurants will reopen, and things will go back to normal. We look forward to working together as one region to tackle this challenge together."
This comes as Wisconsin on Thursday extended its coronavirus stay-at-home order until May 26, and closed its schools for the rest of the academic year. Michigan, meanwhile, remains under a similar order through April 30
The Associated Press reports the Midwest alliance joins two others that were announced earlier in the week: one on the West Coast and one in the Northeast. All together, the 17 states covered by the three pacts are home to nearly half the U.S. population.
