Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags be flown at half-staff throughout the state indefinitely beginning Friday to honor those who have lost their lives to COVID-19.
“The coronavirus pandemic has had devastating impacts on families across our state,” Whitmer said. “I’m directing flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of those we have lost to this awful virus. The flags lowered will serve to remind us all that every life lost is a story and legacy of a loved one gone too soon.”
Michigan had 22,783 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state Friday, and 1,281 people have died from the virus.
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Of the confirmed cases, 828 are in Genesee County, and 57 people in the county have died from the virus.
During a press conference Thursday, Whitmer humanized the data.
“These are not just numbers on a screen, these are husbands and wives and daughters and sons and grandparents who’ve lost a battle with a disease that is incredibly aggressive and contagious and deadly,” Whitmer said. “My heart aches for every one of them.”
Over 40% of deaths caused by COVID-19 in Michigan have been among African Americans, despite the group making up only 14% of the state’s population.
Whitmer created a task force Thursday that will recommend ways to address these racial disparities.
Whitmer also extended Michigan’s stay-at-home order through April 30 on Thursday to minimize the spread of COVID-19.