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Rural Michigan (DepositPhotos)
There are several rural counties in Michigan that have recorded no Covid deaths from the coronavirus and less than a half dozen cases.
Some people in those counties are pushing for the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to ease restrictions for businesses sooner than other counties in the state.
On Thursday, Whitmer extended the state’s stay-at-home order through May 28 and unveiled a six-phase plan for reopening Michigan’s economy. The plan said the state will "examine whether different regions within Michigan may be at different phases," Craig Mauger of The Detroit News reports.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb have announced plans to treat some counties differently as they phase in reopening.
For now, Whitmer has stuck to the one-fits all plan. She cites increasing coronavirus cases in areas of West Michigan, the lack of hospital capacity in some rural areas and the potential for a deadly second wave, The News reports. There's also concerns about people moving around the state.
The strict stay-home order has led to protests that have gotten nationwide attention and the support of President Donald Trump.
