(WXYZ) — In a one-on-one interview with 7 Action News reporter Brian Abel, Governor Gretchen Whitmer discussed the state's effort to reopen the economy while mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Whitmer noted that officials are going to have to measure every step of the way in order to reopen sectors of the economy.
"As we reengage a sector of our economy, we've got to watch and make sure we don't have another increase in cases," she said.
She said the state cannot put a hard and fast timeline on re-opening the economy.
"A lot of this depends on human behavior," she said. "No one's as eager to keep turning that dial forward as I am. We have taken a deep dive into the data and assessed risks, so when it is safe to dial it up, we will be prepared.
The governor noted that offices are densely populated areas, and said people who are currently working from home should plan to continue.
Regarding the upcoming standoff with the Legislature, Whitmer said she is "hopeful" they will extend the state of emergency.
"We can't go back to life as it was," she said. "We could have a second wave of COVID-19 and it could necessitate a second stay-at-home order."
On Monday, Attorney General William Barr directed federal prosecutors across the country to “be on the lookout” for state and local coronavirus-related restrictions that could be unconstitutional.
Whitmer said Michigan's unique situation with COVID-19 required aggressive action.
"Michiganders did the right thing," she said. "We took this seriously and saved lives in the process."
"We can save lives and adhere to the spirit of the constitution," she said.
Ten workers, who are regional coordinators for the Military Veterans Affairs Agency, say they won't have a job come May 15 due to budget cuts. They've said they are concerned about the veterans they help.
Whitmer noted that the budget cuts were a decision made at the department level and she is concerned about them.
She also said state government will have to make a lot of tough decisions.
"It is my hope that those aren't long-term cuts that have been made and that the needs of our veterans can be met one way or another," she said.
Additionally, Whitmer said she does not know what college students can expect come fall.
"What I do know is that we have to be really smart about how we re-engage," she said.
She noted that events and activities that have a lot of people in one closed-in space will probably be the last to come online safely. She said universities and colleges are doing an "incredible" amount of work to understand the pandemic and make decisions.
FEMA Region 5 Administrator James Joseph said he thinks there will be several months ahead for FEMA to work in response and recovery. Joseph said FEMA will continue to plan and be prepared for whatever it is Michigan needs.
Whitmer said the state's hope is that FEMA can leave Michigan when it's safe, but that they don't leave too early.
"We've really got to be smart and avoid the second wave at all costs," she said. "None of us want to be back here come August or September. I'd love to see FEMA leave and not come back, and that's precisely why we have to get this right.
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