I’m sure many of us have heard this phrase a lot over the past few weeks, but how many of us are actually listening? 

On April 9., 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order extending her prior “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through the end of April. 

This new plan consists of not being able to travel to secondary homes, not being permitted to use a motorboat, and an increased tightening of business restrictions. Violators caught exceeding these measures could be fined or charged with a misdemeanor.

Michiganders have started to sign petitions calling for her recall and are even joining Facebook groups dedicated to having the order restricted. According to NBC News, these petitions have “generated more than 200,000 signatures — while more than 300,000 Facebook users joined a group titled “Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine” in recent days” These at-home measures to get their voices heard were the right way to handle this situation until people took it too far. 

At first, this new restriction may have seemed very unreasonable, but after Michiganders planned a protest, Michigan might be facing extended time in quarantine. People went to protest without wearing masks and not observing the six-foot distance order, which could possibly spread the virus even more. 

After President Trump lashed out at Gov. Whitmer, she expressed having a hard time dealing with making these decisions. The pressure is on her shoulders as the people of Michigan are making this even harder for her. 

The proper way to have handled this situation would’ve been to continue to sign positions and join Facebook groups and still be able to stay put in their homes. It went too far the moment people started to protest outside and how likely extended the virus because of it. It is now possible that the Governor will have to, again, expand our stay-at-home order even longer. 

According to Corbin Olsson ‘22, “I think the boat ban was unnecessary, it was the only thing I got to do outside during quarantine. I also think the protest outside the capital was selfish and it might have spread the virus even more.” 

Another Student, Alex Kolk ‘21 said, “I don’t understand how kayaking is allowed but using a boat with a motor is deemed a risk to public health. I also think people could have done to protest in a better way.” 

Many students from East Grand Rapids who are into fishing feel this order has been taken a little too far, but also think the protest was not the right way to handle it. To these students, spending time fishing and boating is something they can do while maintaining a 6-foot distance.  

Before we know it, this virus could have us locked into our houses all summer, and even into the fall. This is something we all don’t want. The sooner we all start to stay inside, the sooner this all will be over.