Whitmer Says She Won’t Be ‘Bullied’ into Reopening Michigan Too Soon, Could Reimpose Restrictions

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday that she could reimpose social-distancing restrictions if cases of the coronavirus continue to rise in the state, adding that she refuses to be “bullied” into reopening before it is safe to do so.

“I want to re-engage this economy more than anyone, but I’m not going to do it if it is too risky to do so, and that’s why we’re staying focused on the epidemiology,” Whitmer said in a CNN interview.

“If they keep moving up, we’re going to dial back if we have to,” Whitmer continued. “I’m not going to be bullied into moving back before it’s safe, and if we have to move back, we’re going to.”

The Democratic governor noted that she was heavily criticized when she imposed stringent lockdown restrictions on Michigan residents in early March when the state discovered its first coronavirus case but said she remains prepared to take the steps necessary to ensure safety. Cases of the virus peaked in Michigan in April.