Flags will be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the more than 10,000 Michiganders who have died from COVID-19 complications.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff for 10 days -- representing one day per 1,000 death. This goes into effect immediately on Tuesday, December 8, through Friday, December 18 to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
State officials say that's more than one out of every 1,000 Michiganders.
“Our nation is grieving alongside each of the families who have an empty seat at the dinner table each night or who will be missing family members during the holiday season,” Whitmer said, in a statement. “Right now, we need to listen to our scientists and medical professionals who are asking us to double down on wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing to prevent an unnecessarily greater loss of life. With a vaccine on the horizon, there is light at the end of the tunnel, but we each need to do our part until then. We will get through this together.”
Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are also encouraged, but are not required, to display their flags at half-staff.
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To lower flags to half-staff, officials flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Saturday, December 19, 2020.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, a total of 410,295 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the state since March, after 5,909 were added to the count on Tuesday.
A total of 10,138 people have died in Michigan, with 191 that added Tuesday -- including 79 deaths that were identified during a Vital Records review.
Get more updates Michigan COVID-19 numbers HERE.
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