Whitmer claims a vote for Biden is a vote to end COVID-19 restrictions

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer assured viewers on Sunday that a vote for the Biden/Harris ticket would be a vote to end coronavirus-inspired restrictions. Whitmer said that "if you're tired of lockdowns," you've got to vote for Joe Biden.

Speaking to Meet the Press, Whitmer said "The president talked about lockdowns, we haven't had a stay-home order since late spring, but I know that he never lets the facts get in the way of comments that he's making. Every moment that we're not focused on the fact that there are 220,000 Americans who have died from this virus is good for him."

"So in that sense, as he incites additional violence against people who are just trying to save one another's lives, it's good for him. And that's why I don't want to talk about him endangering public servants' lives, I want to talk about what he hasn't done, and that's his job. The Trump virus response is the worst in the globe. I mean, in the world, it's the worst!

"8 million people have contracted COVID-19, 220,000 dead. We've got people in food pantry lines who never would have imagined that they'd be there, and no light on the horizon because our numbers keep going up. This is a gravely serious moment for all of us.

"And if you're tired of lockdowns, or you're tired of wearing masks, or you wish you were in church this morning or watching college football or your kids were in in-person instruction, it is time for change in this country and that's why we've got to elect Joe Biden."

Whitmer's ability to extend emergency orders past April 30 in her state was recently struck down by the Michigan Supreme Court, which ruled that she did not have that authority. In her stead, Michigan's OSHA, with Whitmer's support, has extended their emergency measures covering workplaces. These will be in effect for six months.

Of the Michigan Supreme Court's decision, Whitmer said "Today's Supreme Court ruling, handed down by a narrow majority of Republican justices, is deeply disappointing, and I vehemently disagree with the court's interpretation of the Michigan Constitution. Right now, every state and the federal government have some form of declared emergency. With this decision, Michigan will become the sole outlier at a time when the Upper Peninsula is experiencing rates of Covid infection not seen in our state since April."

Whitmer's stay-at-home order, enacted on March 23, was rescinded on June 1. It was in effect for 70 days, and was extended four times. After it was lifted, restaurants were able to open at 50 percent capacity, and many businesses were forced to remain closed, including: amusement parks, arcades, bowling alleys, fitness centers, gyms, hair salons, nail salons and tattoo parlors.

During the early part of the pandemic, Whitmer and Democrat state leaders prioritized health concerns over the economic ramifications of emergency lockdown orders, while Trump called for attention to growing economic woes. Now state level executive office holders are blaming Trump both for the case counts in their states, and the economic hardships their constituents are facing.

Whitmer's claim that a vote for Biden will end the hardships and COVID-19 restrictions that caused them runs contrary to Biden's coronavirus plans, which are long term goals that rely on a rise government spending, government agency expansion, and an increase in taxation to pay for it all.

Whitmer was recently the subject of a kidnapping plot by some of her own constituents who were opposed to her executive orders and action with regard to coronavirus, for which she blamed President Trump. There was no proof that Trump or his supporters were behind the kidnap plot.