(WWJ) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday signed a new executive order, which strengthens her previous order requiring all Michiganders to wear masks in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces.
The new order, Executive Order 2020-153, clarifies that businesses may not assume that an unmasked customer cannot medically tolerate a face covering, though they can accept a customer's verbal representation to that effect.
It also requires public safety officers to wear a face covering unless doing so would seriously interfere in the performance of their responsibilities, and clarifies that wearing a mask at a polling place for purposes of voting in an election is not required, but strongly encouraged.
"Wearing a mask is the right thing to do to protect our families, our businesses, and our economy," said Whitmer, in a statement. "If everyone in Michigan masks up, we can save thousands of lives and put ourselves in a better position to send our kids back to school in the fall. For the safety of our loved ones and our dedicated first responders on the front lines: mask up, Michigan."
"COVID-19 is far from over — people are still getting sick and dying," said Katie Scott, RN, vice president of the Michigan Nurses Association. "As a nurse, I'm worried that many people are not taking the pandemic seriously enough. Don't wait until COVID happens to you or a loved one to take action. Wearing a mask is a simple step that protects everyone."
There are a handful of exceptions to the mask rule.
Although a face covering is strongly encouraged even for people who are not required to wear one, the requirement to wear a face covering does not apply to people who, among other things:
- Are younger than 5 years old;
- Cannot medically tolerate a face covering;
- Are eating or drinking while seated at a food service establishment;
- Are exercising when wearing a face covering would interfere in the activity; or
- Are at a polling place for purposes of voting in an election.
Under the order, like the previous version, anyone found to be in violation could face a misdemeanor charge, with a $500 criminal penalty. No jail time.
Over the past two weeks, every region in Michigan has seen an uptick in new cases, and daily case counts now exceed 20 cases per million in all but one region in the state, according to the health department. The state says research confirms that a big part of the reason is spotty compliance with the governor's requirement that individuals wear face coverings in public spaces.
Studies have shown that wearing a mask can save lives and significantly lover an individual's chance of spreading COVID-19. A study on different regions in Germany, for example, suggests that the adoption of mandatory mask ordinances decreased the daily growth rate of COVID-19 infections by 40%. Modeling from the University of Washington similarly indicates that more than 40,000 lives would be spared nationwide if 95% of the population wore a mask while in public.
A study conducted by Goldman Sachs concluded that a federal mask mandate could save the U.S. economy from taking a 5% hit to our GDP.
Read the complete, updated order HERE.
This come as hundreds of new, confirmed coronavirus cases are being reported by the state again today. Health officials said Friday there are 660 news positive cases, and seven new deaths. In all, more than 72,500 cases have been confirmed in Michigan since the start of the pandemic. A total of 6,108 people have died.
See a complete breakdown of COVID-19 stats from the state at this link.
