LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ/WXMI) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun provided an update Thursday on COVID-19 and the continued efforts to slow the spread of the virus.
Whitmer wore a mask during the address, during which reemphasized the importance of following state health guidelines ahead of the holiday season.
“With the election behind us,” the governor began, “now is the time for us to find common ground and come together.”
“We have a common enemy," Whitmer added. "It is COVID-19. It is not one another.”
Today, the state reported today a record high in the number of single-day cases with 5,710.
SEE MORE: Michigan reports record-breaking number of new COVID-19 cases
SEE MORE: Dr. Khaldun: If things don't change, we could see 100 COVID-19 deaths per day by December
During the address, Governor Whitmer showed a graph depicting the progression of daily outbreaks across the state of Michigan, noting the point on the timeline when the Michigan Supreme Court ruled her executive orders in April unconstitutional and the sudden growth in COVID-19 cases that followed.
Whitmer then stressed the importance of removing politics from the COVID-19 equation. “We’ve got to get the politics out of masking up,” she said.
The governor adds she sent a letter to Republicans requesting a statewide mask mandate. “Something this important…deserves the legislature’s stamp of approval.” Whitmer said.
The governor hopes a relief bill will be passed in Congress when lawmakers reconvene.
Whitmer ended her address by encouraging state residents to take extra precaution going into the holiday season, saying that she plans to avoid family gatherings on Thanksgiving.
To those who intend to celebrate the holidays with others, the governor implores Michiganders to spend time outside whenever possible and to only remove masks to consume food.
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