With coronavirus cases spiking across Michigan, meetings and hearings were canceled for members of the Michigan House of Representatives Thursday over a reported outbreak among legislators caused by an Election Day party.
State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) said all committee meetings and sessions were canceled by Republican leadership, reportedly over an outbreak. Exactly how many people were infected is unknown, though Koleszar said Republican legislators are known for not wearing masks around the state Capitol, in meetings, hearings and on the House floor.
WWJ's Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reported two or three Republican members of the House tested positive, causing the meeting shutdown Thursday. Republicans have fought bitterly with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over mask mandates and shutdowns, saying keeping the economy going at full speed is the most important thing, even during a health crisis.
Wednesday, the Michigan House Republicans tweeted that Whitmer and the Legislature need to get on the same page to find "sensible solutions" in the fight against COVID-19. "Our highest court, and the millions who voted last week, want the gov and Legislature at the same table. So let's find sensible solutions. Together," the House GOP tweeted.
Meanwhile, they've been silent on the reported outbreak in the legislature. "They need to quarantine, this isn't just the safety of members and staff, but this also affects everybody's families, as well," Koleszar told WWJ's Charlie Langton.
A post-election party attended by 10 Republican members of the House may have spread the virus, Skubick said.
Meanwhile, another 6,008 coronavirus cases were reported in Michigan yesterday, bringing the state total to 229,000. Another 44 people died from COVID-19 yesterday, bringing Michigan's total death count to 7,700.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is set to discuss the latest on coronavirus at 2 p.m. Thursday. Skubick reports that some believe she will call for stricter rules at restaurants and bars, but another full shutdown across the state is unlikely.
State Rep. Jack O'Malley (R-Manistee) told a local TV station that another lockdown would be foolish. He represents Manistee, parts of Benzie County and the Ludington and Leelanau area in northern Michigan.
"A lockdown will not work. We need to protect the vulnerable. We need to social distance, we probably need to…heading into Thanksgiving, probably not have 400 people over to your house," said Rep. O'Malley. "I'm not 'for' lockdowns. There will be people who say I'm the devil, where all I'm saying is, let's be reasonable about this, and use common sense."
