Are mask mandates working? It's hard to tell for sure. | stock photo
Are mask mandates working? It's hard to tell for sure. | stock photo
Opposition or support of mask mandates and indoor dining restrictions seems to fall along party lines in Michigan.
A lack of data suggesting whether restrictions are impacting COVID-19 infection rates makes it difficult to determine whether the economy should take precedence over public health.
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, the top three ways to slow the spread of coronavirus are: wearing a mask, social distancing of at least 6 feet and avoiding crowds of people who are not from your household, all of which may be difficult in a dine-in setting like a restaurant or bar.
Sen. Mike Shirkey
| #MiSenateGOP
Michigan has decided to heed the warning of scientists and close indoor dining and some nonessential establishments to protect the public -- but it comes at a cost.
Among the Great Lakes states, Michigan has the lowest coronavirus infection rate at approximately 405 infected per one million people. But the unemployment rate is 6.9%, which is one of the highest in the region, according to Bridge Michigan.
“The pause is working,” Robert Gordon, director of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told Bridge Michigan. “Michigan is clearly in the best position of any state in our region.”
While Gordon believes the low infection rate in the state is proof that business restrictions are working, Bridge Michigan took a look at the data, which suggests the link between restrictions and infections rates is not definitive.
Lindsey Leininger, clinical professor of business administration at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, said there isn't enough data at this time to confirm whether business restrictions are the reason infection rates are comparatively low in the state.
“To attribute cause and effect is a tough thing to do,” Leininger told Bridge Michigan.
Michigan and Illinois have enforced restrictions that have impacted the jobless rates in each state. But Minnesota also enforced a ban on indoor dining, and its unemployment rate is the lowest in the region at 4.4%, according to Bridge Michigan.
“There is definitely a tradeoff between restricting activity and the labor market situation,” Don Grimes, an economist and senior research specialist at the University of Michigan, told Bridge Michigan. “The question for policymakers is whether or not it's worth it, because of the lives and illnesses saved.”
Michigan Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) believe bans and mandates are detrimental to the state's economy and the use of informative, inspirational messaging to persuade the public to wear masks and do what is in their best interest is key to getting the health crisis under control.
“Use targeted actions. Fine-tuned messaging," Shirkey said, according to Bridge Michigan. "Enough is enough. Open the economy. Punish the bad actors, but don’t destroy jobs.”
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