April 14, 2021
Report: Whitmer’s New Health Director Also Defied Travel Warnings For Spring Break Vacation
MIRS News reports that Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel vacationed in Gulf Shores, Alabama last week as Michigan led the country in new COVID cases. The report of Hertel’s vacation follows news that Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s COO Tricia Foster also defied the travel warning for a trip to Siesta Key, Florida.
MIRS: DHHS Director Among Those Vacationing Out Of State Last Week
“Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director Elizabeth HERTEL traveled to Gulf Shores, Ala., last week with her immediate family, but was regularly updated on Michigan’s growing COVID-19 case numbers and was available to issue any new public health orders, if necessary, MIRS has learned.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer warned against spring break travel and Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail urged that “delaying travel is the safest course of action.”
Whitmer appointed Hertel to lead the health department after the previous director resigned as was given over $155,000 in taxpayer dollars to not speak of his time leading the department. Michigan’s health director has the unique authority to issue emergency COVID restrictions after the Supreme Court ruled against Whitmer’s orders.
When Whitmer was asked about Foster’s vacation, the governor said, “We all need to show one another a little bit of grace. We’re all eager to get out,” during a MIRS podcast interview.
Whitmer’s call for “grace” comes as the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued over 200 COVID-19 violations. A Michigan restaurant owner, whose arrest violated court guidelines was jailed over COVID-19 rule violations.
“Whitmer’s newly appointed Health Director and COO both defied suggestions against traveling as Michigan leads the country in new COVID cases,” said Tori Sachs, executive director of Michigan Rising Action. “Whitmer’s request to give her vacationing aides a ‘little bit of grace’ falls flat when the state is handing out hundreds of citations and even arresting people for COVID-19 rule violations. The rules for thee but not for me mentality needs to end immediately.”