(WWJ) Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to clear a few things up concerning her "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order.
The governor — facing criticism, protests and a petition calling for her removal — on Monday addressed some misinformation that's being passed around online.
Whitmer said there are rumors that Michiganders are banned from buying child car seats, American flag and inset repellant; among other things.
All of those, she said, are altogether false.
"Nothing from this stay at home prohibits people from buying car seats for their children. There's no prohibition on that," Whitmer said, at a news conference.
"You can buy bug spray, you can buy American flags. I have not banned homeschooling. These are a few of the falsehoods that are being disseminated on social media that I wanted to clear up."
This comes after Whitmer addressed another false rumor: That she isn't following her own orders concerning social distancing.
A local TV station last week used old file footage of the governor signing a bill with a crowd gathered around her for a story about $1,000 fines for those who violate social distancing. After the image went viral, WXYZ-TV later published an article to set the record straight — explaining that the image in question shows a bill signing over a year ago and is in no way related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
WHAT ARE THE FACTS?
Some things that some people in Michigan are upset about, however, are true. Under Whitmer's updated "Stay Home" Executive Order, in effect through April 30:
- Michiganders are ordered not to travel to in-state vacation residences.
- Motorboating and jet skiing are not permitted (canoeing, kayaking and sailing are OK).
- Golf courses may not open for business during this time.
- Large stores (with more than 50,000 square feet) must "close areas dedicated to carpeting, flooring, furniture, garden centers, plant nurseries, or paint."
Also new in the updated order, smaller stores (less than 50,000 square feet) have been told to limit the number of people to 25% occupancy.
It's notable that Whitmer's executive action concerning garden centers differs from similar orders in Ohio, Illinois, New York and North Carolina, where the retail sale of plants has been deemed essential infrastructure.
Regardless, Whitmer maintains that all of her orders regarding the COVID-19 crisis are science-based and decided with input from both epidemiologists and businesses leaders.
A road rally called "Operation Gridlock" is planned for Wednesday Lansing to protest the governor's order, which organizers say amounts to "madness."
