St. Clair Today

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued her 180th executive order of the year -- the overwhelming majority of which she has issued since declaring a state of emergency almost seven months ago -- with her most recent decree specifying that youths participating in strenuous sports such as football are required to wear a face mask, even during outdoor competitions.

In comparison, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has responded to the crisis there with only 35 executive in all of 2020, according to reporting by Michigan Capitol Confidential. Only one governor in the country has issued more executive orders in 2020 than Whitmer: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who has issued 214.

However, it is possible Whitmer could still surpass even DeSantis, as she has given clear indication that she intends to retain her emergency powers until there is a vaccine available for COVID-19, according to reporting from Michigan Capitol Confidential. That could mean that Whitmer plans to continue to rule the state by decree for years to come.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine | stock photo

Whitmer’s comments regarding the need for a vaccine for her to return the state to normal governance came in an address to the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“I would like to tell you precisely where I think we are. Are we 50% of the way? Are we 33? Are we 70? I can’t put a number on it because a lot of it depends on how quickly this vaccine creation happens and distribution,” Whiter said, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

In a press conference nearly a month prior to Whitmer’s comments about tying her emergency powers to having a COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan’s chief medical executive, told those at a press conference that it normally takes 10 to 15 years to produce a vaccine, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.