LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Dr. Anthony Fauci’s public grilling during a congressional hearing Wednesday revived criticism of what many viewed as a “rules for thee, not for me” approach by some public officials, including those in Michigan.
In March 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer followed federal public health guidance that came from officials including Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Michigan’s response evolved into what many critics described as oppressive shutdown measures. Over the next two years, those policies included the closure of schools, businesses, churches, and funeral homes, along with mask mandates and social distancing requirements. In later testimony, Fauci acknowledged there was not strong scientific evidence supporting the six-foot social distancing guideline, and Whitmer later described some of the medical guidance behind the state’s COVID-19 policies as “very bad.”
Two weeks to flatten the curve turned into two years.
In March 2020, Whitmer issued her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order after promoting the goal of “two weeks to flatten the curve.” The order closed schools and many nonessential businesses and required Michiganders to remain at home except for essential activities.
“Without additional aggressive measures, soon, our hospitals will be overwhelmed and we don’t currently have enough beds, masks, gowns and ventilators,” Whitmer said at the time. “But if we all do our part and simply stay home, we have a shot at helping our healthcare system meet our needs.”
However, Whitmer repeatedly extended emergency restrictions. Schools remained closed for the rest of the academic year, many businesses operated under prolonged capacity limits, statewide mask requirements remained in place through much of 2020 and 2021, and large gatherings, including church services and funerals, faced strict limits.
Marching with BLM was fine.
It’s worth remembering that while many high school students lost proms and graduation ceremonies in 2020, several Michigan Democratic politicians who are now appearing on the Aug. 4 primary ballot participated in racial justice demonstrations following the death of George Floyd.
Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, participated in Black Lives Matter (BLM) events in 2020. El-Sayed, who served as executive director of the Detroit Health Department from 2015 to 2017, supported lockdown measures while arguing that “racism is a public health crisis too.”
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is running for governor, also participated in a June 2020 Detroit march supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who is running for secretary of state, attended similar racial justice events with Whitmer.
Masks, social distancing, and loved ones dying alone.
Six years later, the trauma of that time still lingers.
Independent journalist Dave Bondy posted this week on X about celebrating his mother’s birthday outside her assisted living facility in 2020.
“I stood outside, looking in through a window, and she still managed to smile at me,” Bondy wrote. “No family should ever have to go through that.”
I will never forget. This is how we had to celebrate my mom’s birthday at her assisted living facility in 2020. Through a window. pic.twitter.com/uE3tCIZeY3
— Dave Bondy (@DaveBondyTV) July 30, 2026
Bondy’s mother died with Alzheimer’s disease in 2022. He later wrote, “That moment is one of the reasons I left mainstream media to start holding government accountable.”
“Essential” businesses and positions.
Although some business owners, including Owosso barber Karl Manke and Holland restaurant owner Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, openly defied Whitmer’s COVID-19 restrictions and remain in business today, others were not as fortunate.
Michigan News Source media partner The Center Square reported in April 2021 that 39.7% of Michigan small businesses remained closed compared to January 2020 — the highest percentage among the 45 states examined. The data came from an online economic tracker maintained by Harvard University.
While many praise Michigan’s small business owners for their resilience, the long-term impact remains evident.
“COVID’s had a long tail. It’s five years later and we are still seeing restaurant closures that tie themselves to the challenges post-COVID,” Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association President and CEO Justin Winslow told WXYZ in March 2025.
