West Central Michigan News

"Don't let the facts get in the way" is the motto Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her political opponents across the aisle seem to live by during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an op-ed in Bridge Michigan.

Both sides have been used the data related to the coronavirus to push their own agendas.

Matt Friedman, a metro Detroit public relations and crisis communications consultant, said it's all part of the current political environment where people disagree about everything, even information that is factual. "Information in the pandemic is viewed through everyone's personal prism," Friedman told Bridge Michigan.

Sen. Mike Shirkey | #MiSenateGOP

As they say, the proof is in the pudding -- or in this case, their view on how the state has handled vaccine distribution. Whitmer has said Michigan is among the best states at giving inoculations, but Republicans have called it a "nightmare" and continue to harp on what they've said are economy-crushing restrictions. 

Michigan currently sits at 17th in the nation when it comes to the number people who've received the first dose of the vaccine, but it didn't start off that way. The state had held 45th place for doses administered per 100,000 residents.

Bridge Michigan reported that Whitmer and other state officials claimed they were doing much better than the numbers suggested. One instance was early on in 2021 when her administration said new data would reveal their top-five position; however, the facts kept Michigan near the bottom. 

One of the biggest battles between Whitmer and the GOP has been over safety restrictions intended to limit the spread of the virus, but which can be damaging to businesses. Whitmer had closed schools, restaurants and other businesses for a second time in November when a spike in cases signaled a second wave of the virus.

The lockdown was extended twice, before only recently allowing eateries and bars to resume indoor service at just 25% capacity. Most of Michigan's economy resumed its operations months ago, but the state still has the 12th highest unemployment rate in the nation. 

Whitmer believes her COVID-19 restrictions have saved lives, but Republicans say she's failed to prove it, specifically when it comes to the restaurant industry and its questionable role in spreading the virus. 

"Overreach by the governor has crippled an entire industry and peripheral supply chain business," Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) wrote in a January tweet, referring to the restaurant and bar industry.