Pandemic, Vaccine Rollout Focuses Of Whitmer State Of The State

LANSING, MI — When Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ran for office in 2018, her campaign was built on the mantra that she would "fix the damn roads," something all Michiganders could admit needed to be done.

On Wednesday, during her third State of the State address, Whitmer amended her slogan to "fix the damn road ahead," as the state feels its way through the coronavirus pandemic and continues to work on its COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan.

The governor referenced her proposed coronavirus recovery plan — which includes a pay bump and grant funding for teachers and school support staff and an extension of unemployment benefits — and called on the state legislature to work with her on economic issues stemming from the pandemic.

"The health of our economy is inextricably linked to the health of our people," Whitmer said Wednesday night in a State of the State that was held virtually due to coronavirus guidelines restricting large gatherings. "Effectively rebuilding our economy this year requires that we protect public health. That hurdle is cleared easier and quicker if we work together."

Whitmer's speech lasted about 30 minutes but covered a wide range of topics that impacted Michigan in 2020 and continue to persist in 2021. She used the Latin phrase "annus horribilis" to describe 2020. The translation: A year of horribles.

But for 2021, Whitmer said she hoped for another Latin phrase: annus mirabilis — a great year.

"Let’s commit to the strong bipartisan action we took last year and focus that same energy to end the pandemic, grow our economy and get our kids back on track," Whitmer said. "The people of Michigan are counting on us."

Whitmer's speech began with a description of how the coronavirus had affected Michigan. According to state data, more than 554,000 people in the state have contracted the coronavirus and over 14,000 have died from complications with the respiratory illness.

The governor said she thinks about the 14,000 people in Michigan whose deaths have been attributed to the coronavirus. Whitmer said she remembers Benny Napoleon, the former sheriff in Wayne County who died in December from complications with the coronavirus. Napoleon, Whitmer said previously, was a friend of hers.

Related: 'My Friend, Benny' Whitmer Emotional Over Sheriff's Death

We’ve lost over 14,000 Michiganders to COVID-19," Whitmer said. "(Those are) 14,000 people with stories. With loved ones — parents and siblings, children and friends.

"Throughout this crisis, the people of Michigan have harnessed the empathy and courage that make us who we are as Michiganders. The state of our state is resilient."

Whitmer discussed Michigan businesses such as Detroit Sewn that helped produce and distribute personal protective equipment. The governor thanks front-line workers and residents, who she said did their part to help amid the pandemic.

"In the midst of the worst public health crisis in our lifetimes, the world saw just how
tough Michiganders are," she said.

Whitmer touched on a flurry of other events in 2020, including a recession caused by the virus, a 500-year flood caused by a failed dam near Midland that led to the evacuation of thousands and a nationwide call against racial inequity.

The governor took time in her speech to tout her proposed coronavirus recovery plan, which she said includes two parts: public health and business and economy assistance.

Related: Whitmer Administration Announces $5.6B Coronavirus Recovery Plan

The public health of Whitmer's plan focuses on distributing the COVID-19 vaccine, using $90 million allocated to the state by Congress to ramp up distribution with a goal of administering 50,000 doses of the vaccine each day.

Whitmer's economic portion of the plan includes putting $225 million toward grants and other programs to assist small businesses in Michigan.

"My plan gives crucial support for small businesses and resources to help them thrive long after the pandemic is over," Whitmer said.

The governor also announced a push for education, calling for a $2/hour pay increase for teachers and offering MI Classroom Heroes Grants of up to $500 each to teachers and support staff.

"My mission is to find common ground so we can emerge from this crisis stronger than ever," Whitmer said.

This article originally appeared on the Detroit Patch