Editorial Roundup:
The Detroit News. March 21, 2020
Come together to stay apart.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stopped short of ordering Michiganians to shelter in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As of late Friday, three other states — California, New York and Illinois — had issued such orders, which virtually lock their residents in their homes and shutter all but medical facilities and the most essential businesses.
The governor said conditions in Michigan do not yet merit such a drastic next step.
It’s the right call. But as Whitmer noted, she may have to issue the order at some point if the spread of the virus continues to escalate.
That would increase the already onerous burden on citizens and businesses in the state.
The only way to avoid it is for Michigan residents to as much as possible behave as if the order has already been given.
Stay at home. If you are able to work from home, do so. Buy the groceries you need for a week or more ahead rather than run to the store every day or two.
Avoid unnecessary travel and social gatherings. Use technology to stay connected with friends and loved ones. Do make sure to check in on the elderly and other vulnerable individuals regularly by phone.
The only effective defense against the virus is to deny it the opportunity to spread.
The more discipline we exhibit as a state, the faster we will turn back this threat and return to normal lives.
No one wants to see the current conditions continue for months. Our economy will not withstand that.
So be good neighbors and citizens.
By not issuing a shelter in place order, residents can still patronize local restaurants for take-out orders. Do that as often as possible to help these at-risk businesses stay afloat, but exercise caution.
Don’t expose those workers who are filling the take-out orders to danger by patronizing their restaurants if you are sick — whether or not you believe you have the coronavirus.
As always, use common sense. Wash your hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Never shake hands. Stay six feet apart from others when you are in public.
This is the time to come together to stay apart.
___
The Mining Journal (Marquette). March 20, 2020
Deaths rock communities of Gwinn, L’Anse, Baraga.
Once again, in the space of less than a week, we find it necessary to use this space to help our community grieve the loss of one of its best, or in this case, two of its best.
Just days ago, we lamented the terrible passing of Ben Lauren, a member of the Forsyth Township Volunteer Fire Department, who died a hero last week fighting a duplex fire at K.I. Sawyer. Investigations are under way to determine exactly how Lauren, a third-generation firefighter, was killed inside the burning structure.
Today, we’d like to remind readers of the terrible deaths of 17-year-old Christopher Turpeinen of Pelkie and 17-year-old Dylan Roberts of L’Anse, who perished in mid February.
The Baraga County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call of a possible drunk driver at the end of Silver Road in L’Anse Township in the late afternoon of Feb. 17, a release from the sheriff’s office stated. A third person in the vehicle, Hunter Pelon, 17, is recovering.
This week, blood toxicology came back in the case and it was determined both died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Our prayers and best regards go out to the families of Christopher Turpeinen and Dylan Roberts and indeed, Hunter Pelon.
These were terrible, senseless losses that we struggle to accept.
We trust friends and family have drawn strength from the L’Anse and Baraga communities.
___
The Alpena News. March 21, 2020.
Crisis can bring rivals together.
In times of crisis, everyone rallies together.
That is evident in a new public service announcement that pairs University of Michigan and Michigan State University coaches with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As Michiganders, we take pride in our sport rivalries, but it’s so important for us to come together as one team during a time of crisis,” Whitmer said. “That’s why this message from Michigan State University and University of Michigan coaches is so critical. If we all take appropriate and responsible actions now, we can mitigate the spread of this virus and save lives.”
Joining Whitmer are basketball coaches Juwan Howard and Tom Izzo, football coaches Mel Tucker and Jim Harbaugh, director of athletics Warde Manuel and Bill Beekman, and U-M women’s softball coach Carol Hutchins and MSU women’s basketball coach Suzy Merchant.
Go Blue. Go Green.
Together, we can help prevent the spread of the virus.
___