Protesters Pour Into Michigan Capitol After Governor Extends Emergency Measures

On Thursday, between 400 and 700 protesters, some carrying signs and waving flags, stood at the Capitol grounds in Lansing, Mich. to show their displeasure. The point of contention was Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to replace the existing state of emergency declaration due to expire that same day with a new one that would last until May 28.

Protesters jammed, in a way to observe social distancing, inside the building where the lawmakers were meeting, demanding an end to the state's state of emergency. There is a separate existing stay-at-home order in effect until May 15.

Whitmer said, "While some members of the legislature might believe this crisis is over, common sense and all of the scientific data tells us we're not out of the woods yet. By refusing to extend the emergency and disaster declaration, Republican lawmakers are putting their heads in the sand and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk."

This is quite a contrast from Democratic State Representative Karen Whitsett, who tested positive for COVID-19 early in the month and expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for his “touting” of hydroxychloroquine, even saying he saved her life.

One of the protest’s leaders was a realtor from Grand Rapids named Ryan Kelley who said, "This was a huge win." He added they were supporting the members of the state Legislature who want the state of emergency to expire.

The peaceful protest may have created some historical significance as the first protest where social distancing rules were enforced. The number of people entering the building was limited to 275 according to a spokesperson for the state police.

The police spokesperson also said that State police made one arrest outside the Capitol, where one protester had allegedly assaulted another. By 5 p.m., the protest had ended.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an interesting study as to how the left-leaning Democrats prefer to take a more prudent and cautious strategy instead of their usual tactics of demanding immediate changes on other issues like climate change and a redistribution of wealth to help those at the lower end of the economic spectrum achieve some degree of “fairness.”

Meanwhile, Republicans, who typically lean to the right, are also flipping their strategies. Often accused of wanting to maintain the status quo of white male-dominated society and favoring large corporations, they are now the ones taking to the streets demanding immediate change.

There is no “right answer” given the unknowns about COVID-19. There has to exist an optimal time when ending the restrictions will stop the bleeding of the American economy and allow quick recovery, while also minimizing the number of new cases and deaths that are almost certain to occur from any early easing of restrictions.

Determining that time should be the objective of Republicans, Democrats, and those of other or no political affiliation.