Thread by @Dave_Boucher1

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer starts her COVID-19 press conference.

Notes state is in week 2 of 3 of increased restrictions (on dining in-person and in-person classes for high schools and universities) freep.com/story/news/hea…

Whitmer references letter she sent to Michigan lawmakers, asking for them to take up $100 million state aid package for workers and businesses freep.com/story/news/loc…

Whitmer: "It's crucial for us to come together now to pass a targeted, state-based economic stimulus plan of up to $100 million that provide direct financial support to the families and small businesses that have been hit hardest by this pandemic."

Whitmer notes the state faces a possible $1 billion shortfall next year, so acknowledges relief must be very targeted.

Also calling on lawmakers to extend unemployment benefits.

"Let's work together and get this done."

Whitmer notes federal coronavirus relief funds expire at the end of the year

Whitmer: Our school officials are scrambling to make ends meet. Government needs to provide support for schools, including a bi-partisan federal relief package.

Whitmer: If you are shopping for loved ones or friends this holiday season, strongly consider supporting local businesses.

Said her family in NY has baskets of Faygo, Vernors and Better Made chips headed their way

Whitmer says yesterday, she had a call with nurses who have taken care of people during pandemic. She says she also spoke recently with postal workers, business owners who need more governmental support.

"I know everyone is tired of this pandemic. Me too."

Whitmer: "I'm not going to sugar coat this. The last couple of months are going to be hard."

Says last weekend she and state health officials spent time on calls with national health experts.

"Too many people traveled for Thanksgiving," says state COVID numbers will increase

Whitmer: "The good news is there is hope on the horizon." says there is "significant progress" on vaccine development.

"We will continue to work 24-7 to ensure an effective and safe vaccine is distributed safely."

"There is light at the end of this tunnel."

.@DrKhaldun up next.

As of Monday, MI had more than 360K cases, more than 9K deaths.

Case rate is 608 per 1 million people, down over the last week.

Test positivity also down over past week, to 13%. That's down from 14% on Nov. 16, but still way too high

Khaldun says more people have started to wear masks, stopped gathering and observing social distancing. She says that's tied to case rates and positivity rates going down

Khaldun: If you did travel, try to quarantine for 14 days. Stay in touch with anyone you came into contact with over the holidays. If anyone you interacted with becomes sick, go get a COVID-19 test

Khaldun: Michigan has about 20% of inpatient beds with COVID-19 patients.

Khaldun: Statewide, contact tracing is improving. State trying to reach out to more than 4,000 cases on a daily bases.

However, with more than 5K cases per day, surge surpasses the state's ability to reach out to everyone in a timely manner

Khaldun: More than 100 hospitals and local health department facilities are able to store the Moderna vaccine. Fewer are able to store the Pfizer vaccine, which must be stored at much lower temperatures.

Khaldun: Due to limited availability of vaccine in Michigan initially, front line workers at hospitals, EMS, etc. will be prioritized first.

Residents of nursing facilities and others in similar circumstances would likely receive the vaccine next

Khaldun: Even though vaccines may start to be available in the next two weeks, now is not the time to ease up.
- Wear masks
- Avoid gatherings
- Get a flu shot

Whitmer back at podium taking questions.

@emilyjanelawler asks Whitmer if she's considering extending 3-week increased COVID-19 regulations.

Whitmer: At this point and time, it's really too early to say precisely where we'll be. But says nothing pre-determined

Whitmer: The epidemic order was geared toward stopping the spread of COVID by limiting the amount of interactions indoors, where people are maskless and there are many households present.

"If everyone does their part, we'll see these numbers drop."

Whitmer asked again about what goes in to her determination about prohibiting in-person dining at restaurants.

Gov.: I know people are scared, both about not getting a paycheck and about getting/spreading the virus

Whitmer: We've focused on places where people from multiple households are indoors.

"I challenge you to think about even a 10% full restaurant and...how many households are represented there."

Says state continues to look at positivity rates, hospital capacity

Whitmer asked about federal stimulus plan introduced today. (Offered by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, but not leadership usatoday.com/story/news/pol…)

Whitmer: Any help would be a great thing and provide much needed support for families and businesses that are struggling

Whitmer asked again about considerations of extending or changing any future epidemic orders.

Whitmer again says no decisions made yet, notes the orders are coming from state health dept (this is important; avoids any issues with pushback on new executive orders)

Whitmer asked about letter from Andiamo owners urging restaurants to defy state orders (freep.com/story/entertai…)
Whitmer: I understand the frustration + fear. None of these decisions has been easy.
"We know that this virus has taken the lives of over 9,000 people in Michigan."

Whitmer makes 9/11 analogy, saying after attack, US came together.
"We've had over three 9/11s here in Michigan over the past 10 months. It's devastated families."

"I want these restaurants to succeed. I want to do everything in my power to help them through these tough times"

Whitmer says she would discourage anyone from willfully breaking the law.

"I think in this moment, we need to give one another a little bit of empathy and grace and recognize the gravity of this situation."

And with that, presser over. Look for story @freep soon

Story, with @KristenShamus: Gov. Whitmer says no decision on extending COVID-19 restrictions, vaccine is 'hope on the horizon' freep.com/story/news/hea…