Brief thread with context on the protests in Michigan:
Last Thursday, after weeks of reporting, I published a profile of @GovWhitmer. In my reporting, I'd spoke with dozens of people, including many Rs, about her handling of #COVID19. The overwhelming consensus was positive. 1/
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As it happens, also last Thursday,
@GovWhitmer expanded the scope of her emergency stay-at-home order. New restrictions included a ban on traveling between residences, buying certain items at stores (including garden equipment). Also, no exception made for landscaping work. 2/2 replies 10 retweets 89 likesShow this thread -
Almost instantaneously,
@GovWhitmer became the subject of fierce partisan criticism. My Facebook feed exploded. GOP leaders who'd backed her began publicly slamming the policy. Voters who'd been quietly complying began circulating petitions and organizing a protest in Lansing. 3/4 replies 11 retweets 81 likesShow this thread -
The beef I'm hearing from lots of people here isn't w/ the continued quarantine itself, but rather that
@GovWhitmer went too far. I can go to Home Depot and buy plumbing equipment... but not seeds to grow veggies? I can go to the grocery store... but not my brother's house? 4/15 replies 21 retweets 113 likesShow this thread -
The liquor store is "essential," as are folks working at McDonalds or WalMart... but the lawn service guys who labor seasonally, outside, far removed from their customers, are not? (I have friends who mow in summer & plow in winter; half of their annual income is vanishing.) 5/
7 replies 18 retweets 109 likesShow this thread -
As
@justinamash put it, the new guidelines "provide marginal benefits at best, while substantially heightening frustration and resentment." That sums up the feeling. And in talking w/ folks in Lansing, there's real surprise that@GovWhitmer hasn't listened and scaled it back. 6/7 replies 19 retweets 128 likesShow this thread
I suppose that’s why protesters are flying the flag of treason. 
pic.twitter.com/gRkD023dmF
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