News Bite

Two Police Departments: Take Face Mask Complaints To Attorney General, Not Us

The police departments for the cities of Bad Axe and Sandusky told residents they won’t be taking complaints on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders and will direct people to the state Attorney General.

Both police departments put out very similar press releases. Bad Axe is in Huron County and Sandusky is in Sanilac County. The cities are about 35 miles apart.

The police departments said that Whitmer had issued 147 Executive Orders in a press release.

“Some of the EO’s rescind previous EO’s; and some of the EO’s modify previous EO’s. For local law enforcement, this has become a confusing issue as to what is enforceable and what is not enforceable.”

The police departments asked the public to contact the Michigan Attorney General with any complaints. They were specifically mentioning the face mask mandate. On July 10, Whitmer ordered that all residents must wear a face mask even when outdoors unless they are not within six feet of people. The executive order also barred businesses from serving people who didn't wear a face mask. The police departments provided a phone number for the Attorney General to call with complaints.

“Please do NOT contact BAPD to file a complaint reference a person possibly violating the Governor’s EO’s,” the Bad Axe Police Department stated. “We will only refer you to the above listed phone number.”

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.

News Story

Retailers To Whitmer: We Aren't Your Face Mask Police

Governor imposes face mask mandate for customers at any business open to public

The Michigan Retailers Association said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order that businesses must not serve customers without a face mask is impossible to enforce.

Whitmer issued an executive order July 10 that require businesses to prohibit customers who don't wear a face mask from being on the premises or from being served.

"Notably, the order includes various exemptions, and it still allows individuals to enter a public space without a mask if they cannot medically tolerate it," the Michigan Retailers Association stated. "Determining the validity of an ambiguous exemption is an impossible task for a retailer. And now, even retailers acting in good faith could be subject to severe licensing sanctions based on the actions of non-compliant customers."

The Michigan Retailers Association said enforcement should be left to the police. Retailers found to be in violation of the executive order could have their business license temporary suspended as well as their liquor license.

“While retailers and retail employees appreciate Gov. Whitmer’s efforts to increase the number of residents wearing masks when in enclosed, public spaces, we are frustrated that she did not leave the policing to law enforcement officers,” the Michigan Retailers Association stated. “This puts retail employees in potentially dangerous situations when they’re forced to confront unmasked customers.”

“We worry for retail employees’ safety and disagree with the overly aggressive penalties for retailers,” the Michigan Retailers Association stated. “When shopping, please wear a mask and understand that retailers are not to blame for the state’s mask requirement.”

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.

News Bite

Whitmer: You Must Wear A Mask Even Outdoors If Within Six Feet Of Anyone

Millions of state residents may be committing a misdemeanor by not wearing a face mask in public starting today (July 10).

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order at 9:43 a.m. July 10 that made it mandatory to wear a face mask in public that went into effect for individuals immediately.

The order states:

Any individual who leaves their home or place of residence must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth:

a. When in any indoor public space;

b. When outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not members of their household; and

c. When waiting for or riding on public transportation, while in a taxi or ridesharing vehicle, or when using a private car service as a means of hired transportation.

The state of Michigan had a total of 7,107 deaths in June, which is the lowest number since September of 2013.

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.