Whitmer to Meet the Press: ‘I’m Working With a Smaller Set of Tools’ [VIDEO]
Governor Gretchen Whitmer appeared on NBC's 'Meet the Press' to discuss Michigan's abysmal state in the fight against coronavirus. Michigan's governor told host Chuck Todd, that she now has fewer tools to fight coronavirus in Michigan.
Michigan has seen a recent spike in COVID-19 cases with over 5,000 new cases reported on Saturday (4/17). On Friday, 8,955 cases of the infection were reported. That's the second-highest daily case count since the pandemic began.
But when pressed about Michigan's choice to approach coronavirus mitigation differently now than it did in early 2020, Whitmer stated that many things are different now.
"A lot of things have changed. 15 months ago, we did not know that this virus could be contained by the simple act of wearing a mask, we didn't have PPE at our fingertips," the governor said. "We certainly didn't have testing or the vaccines. We're now in a much different position."
The governor then went on to say that she is now far more restricted as to what she is able to mandate.
"In the waning months, I have been sued by my legislature, I have lost in the Republican-controlled Supreme Court, and I don't have all of the exact same tools," she said. "Despite those things, we still have some of the strongest mitigation measures in the country. Mask mandates, capacity limitations, working from home. So we're still doing what we can."
When 'Meet the Press' host Chuck Todd paraphrased her response noting "It does sound like you're saying, 'My hands are tied,'" Whitmer expressed concern that there is potential for more spread of the disease saying that Florida and Michigan have the highest number of B.1.1.7 cases in the nation.
"This is the time of year that snowbirds come home from Florida, where people are going on spring break, and all of these things can contribute to [the] spread."
Watch the interview in the video player below.