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Gov. Whitmer hopes 'some relaxing' of coronavirus limitations by May 1

Posted at 8:04 AM, Apr 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-17 15:04:18-04

(WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she's hoping to have "some relaxing" of the coronavirus limitations by May 1.

Speaking to Good Morning America on Friday morning, Whitmer was responding to a question George Stephanopoulos asked about Ohio's governor – who said he hopes to start opening things back up by May 1.

"I do hope to have some relaxing come May 1, but it's two weeks away and the information and the data and our ability to test is changing so rapidly it's hard to tell precisely where we'll be in a week from now much less two," Whitmer said on Friday.

An executive order signed by Whitmer last week extended the Stay Home, Stay Safe order until May 1.

According to Whitmer, the wants to make decisions based on science and facts to keep health at a top priority, saying "we've got to save lives.

"It's better to be six feet apart right now than six feet under," she added.

As of Thursday, there were 2,093 deaths and 29,263 cases of COVID-19 in the state, which puts us fourth in the country for cases and third for deaths.

"We have a unique crisis that is playing out here and we need a unique solution," Whitmer said.

Also Thursday, Whitmer joined governors Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky who said they will work "in close coordination" to reopen the economy in the Midwest region.