In her third State of the State Address, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said overcoming the Coronavirus pandemic is going to take a lot of work, and a lot of vaccinations.
“Every eligible Michigander who wants a vaccine will get on. This process is like a locomotive will be cumbersome and slow in the beginning, but it will get faster and smoother as we go.”
Logistical issues might not be the only hurdle.
Republicans have signaled they will block her appointees and will not allocate federal coronavirus-relief dollars meant for schools and vaccine distribution – unless the state health department reopens high school sports and restaurants.
Republican Senator Ken Horn of Frankenmuth says Whitmer is to blame for the economic impacts of the pandemic.
A recent analysis by the Washington Post showed that the coronavirus itself is more responsible for job losses. People were staying home – and away from restaurants – before health orders were introduced.
Republicans will offer more formal response in a press conference later this morning. (11a-m)