Throughout the pandemic, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has implemented a number of executive orders in order to help slow the spread and outbreaks of COVID-19 and to make sure the hospitals do not become overwhelmed with the amount of COVID-19 patients. Some believe that executive orders are necessary for public health and the safety of others. However, others think that the executive orders have hurt the economy and small businesses and they need to be lifted. As a staff, we believe that executive orders are important to make sure people stay healthy and safe during this uncertain time. 

   On March 10, 2020, Gov. Whitmer declared a state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, Gov. Whitmer enforced Executive Order 2020-20, which stated that all non-essential businesses have to close (restaurants, bars, theaters, libraries, gyms, etc.), but essential businesses (hospitals, grocery stores, etc.) are allowed to stay open and provide their services to the public. 

   During the beginning of the pandemic and the strict executive orders the governor put into place, cases in Traverse City and other cities around the state stayed low and hospital beds were open. But, people began to travel around the state. Cases began to sore in Traverse City. Munson Medical Center’s COVID unit began to fill up and they had to create another COVID unit in order to support their patients. The comparison between these two situations demonstrates how the executive orders kept citizens safe, and what happens when those executive orders are eased. 

   Even though we believe that executive orders keep us and the public safe, there are others that believe that these restrictions are detrimental to the economy, hurt small businesses, and do more damage than good. While that might be the case for some, it is not for all. The government has granted many small business relief, like loans and guidance to help them through the pandemic. Is going out to eat and spreading COVID more important than preventing deaths?