Kalamazoo Times

Michigan's governor moved the state "in the wrong direction" and "put even more restrictions on Michigan workers" when she expanded and extended her stay-at-home order, a Republican state representative said.

Michigan Rep. Beth Griffin (R-Mattawan) was critical of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's extension of her "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order to the end of May. Whitmer's extension came as Michigan reported the third-highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the nation.

In her own statement, Griffin called out portions of the governor's extended order that directed stores to "no longer sell what she considers nonessential items and block off those areas so customers cannot access them."

Griffin also stressed how very important it still is for people to continue social distancing in an ongoing effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. She told Michigan House Republicans that the governor "should focus on making common-sense adjustments to allow workers who can safely do their jobs to support their families."

"It appears the governor remains tone-deaf to the plight of southwest Michigan families affected by her decision making," Griffin continued. "Rather than address the ambiguity in her prior stay-at-home order that has left hundreds of thousands of Michiganders without paychecks, the governor has decided to double-down on her approach by issuing even greater restrictions that will add to the frustration families across our state are feeling."

Griffin maintained that it "is paramount for Michigan families to stay healthy and safe," but that it's time to move the economy up in the state's list of priorities.

"We need to approach COVID-19 differently if we are going to give southwest Michigan families a fighting chance to keep food on their tables," Griffin said in her statement on Michigan House Republicans website.

Griffin has represented District 66 since she first was elected to the seat in November 2016. District 66 includes all of Van Buren County and Alamo Township, Cooper Township and the city of Parchment in Kalamazoo County.

Griffin, along with her staff, has been working remotely during the ongoing crisis and conducted a live tele-town hall in April to discuss the pandemic in Michigan.

Whitmer has received wide-ranging criticism over her extended order, including decidedly not-socially-distant protests and litigation, but the order is holding until May 28.