.@GovWhitmer delivering her latest presser on COVID-19 now. Watch live here: freep.com/story/news/loc…
Whitmer's presser comes a few hours after the Senate GOP unveiled its own plan for how to use federal relief funds.
The plan is different than her plan, but also different than the House GOP plan.
Differences = delays in allocating money freep.com/story/news/pol…
The plan is different than her plan, but also different than the House GOP plan.
Differences = delays in allocating money freep.com/story/news/pol…
Whitmer: We are seeing an increase in vaccines provided by the Biden administration.
"It's not nearly as fast as we would all want, but it's headed in the right direction and we are grateful."
"It's not nearly as fast as we would all want, but it's headed in the right direction and we are grateful."
Whitmer: The greatest threat to our forward progress remains the lack of resources.
Hits #mileg for not allocating federal COVID-19 relief funds yet.
Again, House and Senate GOP don't currently agree w/each other or Whitmer on how to do this freep.com/story/news/pol…
Hits #mileg for not allocating federal COVID-19 relief funds yet.
Again, House and Senate GOP don't currently agree w/each other or Whitmer on how to do this freep.com/story/news/pol…
Whitmer: Congress did their part. Now we need our state Legislature to do theirs.
Whitmer: One month ago, set goal of all school districts offering option of in-person classes by March 1.
"The value of in-person learning...is immeasurable, and we have to do everything we can to get them safely back in the classroom so they can get the education they need."
"The value of in-person learning...is immeasurable, and we have to do everything we can to get them safely back in the classroom so they can get the education they need."
Whitmer: Michigan has received funding from the federal government to help districts return to in-person learning.
Again returning to billions offered by Congress that lawmakers have yet to allocate. Points to her COVID-19 relief plan freep.com/story/news/pol…
Again returning to billions offered by Congress that lawmakers have yet to allocate. Points to her COVID-19 relief plan freep.com/story/news/pol…
Whitmer: Three weeks out from our March 1 goal, state and federal dollars could make all the difference in ensuring students are safely in class.
Continues to, politely, scold lawmakers.
"Every day that goes by is a missed opportunity in the lives of our kids."
Continues to, politely, scold lawmakers.
"Every day that goes by is a missed opportunity in the lives of our kids."
Whitmern repeats call for masking up, social distancing, washing hands and getting the vaccine.
Dr. Khaldun up next
Dr. Khaldun up next
Khaldun:
- 144 cases per million, down 81% from mid-November peak
- 4.5% test positivity rate, continues to decline
- 6% of hospital beds for COVID-19, down substantially from December.
Still, "very concerned" with COVID-19 variants.
- 144 cases per million, down 81% from mid-November peak
- 4.5% test positivity rate, continues to decline
- 6% of hospital beds for COVID-19, down substantially from December.
Still, "very concerned" with COVID-19 variants.
Khaldun: In-person learning can be done safely, and in many districts this is already happening.
State data trackers recently noted majority of districts/students have some option for in-person learning freep.com/story/news/edu…
State data trackers recently noted majority of districts/students have some option for in-person learning freep.com/story/news/edu…
As we've noted for months, the decision to offer in-person classes is one made at the local level. Local districts/superintendents make this call, not the governor or the state department of education
Khaldun: About a quarter of all Michiganders 65 years old and up have been vaccinated.
Khaldun: We know there are not enough vaccines in the state for those who are eligible, but anyone who wants one will eventually get one.
Acknowledges it's trying to attempt to get appointments for older family members/loved ones
Acknowledges it's trying to attempt to get appointments for older family members/loved ones
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Poston, speaking at Whitmer's presser, reiterates call for lawmakers to appropriate federal relief funds
Whitmer asked about House/Senate GOP plans that take a piecemeal approach to giving out federally allocated funds.
"The Legislature has so much ability to be a partner here and oversee how the dollars are spent...this isn't about me, this is about the people of Michigan."
"The Legislature has so much ability to be a partner here and oversee how the dollars are spent...this isn't about me, this is about the people of Michigan."
Whitmer: Meting it out in tranches is foolish, because it undermines our ability to keep Michigan at the top of the list for supply chain for COVID needs.
Next question for Khaldun about variants, impact on possible new COVID restrictions.
Whitmer: No one wants to take steps backward...we still know how to beat these variants of the virus, as long as we continue to wear masks and follow safety protocols
Whitmer: No one wants to take steps backward...we still know how to beat these variants of the virus, as long as we continue to wear masks and follow safety protocols
Khaldun: I'm concerned, but masks, socially distancing, washing hands, those things work.
Notes COVID-19 trends are heading in the right direction.
Notes COVID-19 trends are heading in the right direction.
Whitmer asked about possible vaccine lost if state doesn't use all of federally allocated funds.
"It's hard to put a specific number on it"
It's this problem that will create an issue where there will be a longer period of time before people are vaccinated, she says.
"It's hard to put a specific number on it"
It's this problem that will create an issue where there will be a longer period of time before people are vaccinated, she says.
Whitmer asked about #mileg efforts to curb executive authority.
"Ultimately, the buck will stop with the governor, and I will be judged by the voters when I am up for re-election."
"Ultimately, the buck will stop with the governor, and I will be judged by the voters when I am up for re-election."
I asked for an update on negotiations between governor and #mileg leaders on compromise for allocating fed. funds.
Whitmer said she made her pitch again today in a mtg, but wouldn't call it a negotiation.
"That hasn’t really happened in any meaningful way at this juncture."
Whitmer said she made her pitch again today in a mtg, but wouldn't call it a negotiation.
"That hasn’t really happened in any meaningful way at this juncture."
Story, w/@KristenShamus: Whitmer scolds lawmakers for failing to allocate billions in federal COVID-19 relief funds, says delays could threaten future vaccine supplies freep.com/story/news/hea…
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
