The state’s Chief Medical Executive was among those who testified Monday before a joint House and Senate committee examining the state’s COVID-19 response. We have more from Rick Pluta.
Michigan Chief Medical Executive Joneigh Khaldun testified and answered questions Monday before the Republican-led joint House and Senate committee looking into the state’s COVID-19 response. This was the first such appearance since thestate Supreme Court ruledGovernor Gretchen Whitmer’s use of emergency orders stretched beyond the limits of her power.
Republican state Representative Matt Hall (R-Emmett Township) chairs the joint House and Senate committee on the state’s COVID-19 response.
“Our job now is to take all these things and to balance them,” he said, “and to come up with a smarter plan to protect lives and livelihoods and to have a healthy Michigan and a healthy economy.”
State House Republicans will roll out their plans Tuesday to address the COVID-19 crisis in Michigan.
Khaldun defended the now-lapsed executive orders, as well as a separate set of health department orders issued since the court decision.
She said that’s because COVID remains a threat.
“The evidence shows that mandates do work,” she said, “and mandates save lives.”
Khaldun also said the Department of Health and Human Services will make a decision this week on issuing new indoor visitation rules at nursing homes as cold weather makes outdoor visits impractical.
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
