Michigan has More COVID Deaths Per 100K than Florida, Florida’s Economy has Recovered to Pre-Pandemic Levels While Michigan Lags Michigan has More COVID Deaths Per 100K than Florida, Florida’s Economy has Recovered to Pre-Pandemic Levels While Michigan Lags - Michigan Rising Action

Michigan has More COVID Deaths Per 100K than Florida, Florida’s Economy has Recovered to Pre-Pandemic Levels While Michigan Lags

Michigan has More COVID Deaths Per 100K than Florida, Florida’s Economy has Recovered to Pre-Pandemic Levels While Michigan Lags

January 5, 2022

Lansing, Mich., January 5, 2022 – Throughout the pandemic, Gretchen Whitmer has claimed “science and data” was the rationale for her restrictive lockdowns of businesses and schools. On the other hand, Florida has been far less stringent with its COVID rules over the past two years. New numbers from the CDC reveal that Michigan’s COVID deaths per 100,000 are now higher than Florida’s, despite the Sunshine state’s older population and far less extreme restrictions. Many Michiganders wonder what science the Governor is following as COVID cases surge and our economy lags.

Using Florida as a reference, it is evident that Whitmer’s actions have had little, if any impact. Death rates are lower in Florida, and economic indicators such as labor force participation rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Michigan’s stagnating labor participation rate further reinforces the fact that Whitmer’s restrictive policies have devastated our economy. Michigan’s economy and COVID lockdown fatigue are manifesting into crime rates as well, with the most recent FBI data showing violent crime up 8.2% in Michigan but only 1.4% in Florida.

“I believe Gretchen Whitmer when she says she has always followed the science and data – that being political science and polling data,” said Eric Ventimiglia, Executive Director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “Gretchen Whitmer’s restrictive policies have done nothing to save lives while hindering the education of Michigan students and kneecapping our economic recovery. Whitmer’s disastrous handling of this pandemic will have a devastating impact on our state’s students, economy, and crime rates for years to come.”

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