Whitmer Admin Blames COVID On Michiganders’ Non-Compliance

Data Disputes Whitmer Administration’s Claim, Shows Michigan Death Rate Worse than Florida, Worse Than The Rest Of Great Lakes States

Update: The original release indicated Michigan and Florida had the same death rate. CDC data now shows Michigan’s death rate from COVID-19 is worse than Florida’s rate.

LANSING, MI – While the Whitmer administration blames the people of Michigan for the state’s increase in COVID-19, CDC data shows that Michigan’s COVID death rate of 293 per 100,000 cases is worse than Florida’s rate of 291 per 100,000 cases. Florida has a higher population that is older and imposed fewer restrictions than Michigan.

Today in The Detroit Free Press, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the newer chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, blamed case numbers on non-compliance, saying, “So how we got here, I think, was really people not complying with public health guidance.”

While Florida is growing and its economy is thriving, Michigan is still struggling to recover from Governor Whitmer’s policies. Florida’s unemployment rate in November 2021 was 4.5%, compared with 5.9% in Michigan. Personal incomes in Florida grew by 2.4% in the third quarter of 2021, while income in Michigan declined by 1.8%. Every neighboring state also saw increases in personal income. The latest report from United Van Lines shows Michigan is number six in the nation for outbound moves, while Florida is number five in the nation for inbound moves.

“Governor Whitmer’s administration is quick to point fingers at anyone and everyone but herself for Michigan’s rising COVID-19 case count,” said Tori Sachs, executive director of the Michigan Freedom Fund. “This is the hypocrisy of the Whitmer admin in action – blaming the people of Michigan for violating public health guidance, while Governor Whitmer herself is the biggest violator.

“Yet, despite the Whitmer admin’s draconian and unscientific orders, the lockdowns, multiple school closures, and the damage Whitmer has caused to Michigan’s economy, Michigan has a worse COVID death rate than Florida – a state that embraced freedom and didn’t destroy their economy. Whitmer’s policies made Michigan’s problems worse, and we’ll be reaping the consequences of her decisions for years to come.”

The Michigan Freedom Fund works to advance conservative ideas, hold our government accountable to taxpayers, and protect Freedom, opportunity, and workers’ Constitutional rights. For more information, please visit MichiganFreedomFund.com.

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