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At a time when Michiganders, like all Americans, want unified, decisive leadership, MI House Republicans are failing them. From floundering on mask advice to even considering impeaching our governor, it's clear, as a doctor, that #MiLeg GOP is out of touch & dangerous. (1/11)
GOP Speaker @LeeChatfield is trying to have it both ways, wearing and encouraging mask usage while simultaneously undermining the science that shows it reduces transmission. (2/11) https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/739737
He's probably heard from at-risk constituents and/or seen the recent polling that shows 56 percent of Republicans are pro-mask. Perhaps he's also been emboldened by the fact that Trump recently wore one. (3/11)
But he's also clearly trying not to outrage the minority of Michiganders and members of his party who refuse to acknowledge the science and medical advice from professionals that could save their lives and/or those of others. (4/11)
That's why he said masks shouldn't be mandatory and claimed "there are health experts who disagree about the value of mask usage." (5/11) https://twitter.com/MI_Republicans/status/1283867755901485057
That's also why he hasn't reined in Rep. @BeauMattLaFave, who's been using his platform to argue with a doctor about medical advice, claiming that when people wear masks they have a "false sense of security" and don't socially distance. (6/11) https://twitter.com/DrRobDavidson/status/1284562283327356931
And why he ignored the fact that @RepJimLower posted publicly that he'd break the law to prove his unfounded, dangerous views about mask usage. “I won't be following this order. Good luck enforcing it,” he said. (7/11)
https://www.facebook.com/RepLower/posts/1311833699025176
https://www.facebook.com/RepLower/posts/1311833699025176
He's even afraid to keep Rep. Ryan Berman from threatening Gov. Whitmer with impeachment. “This isn’t an emergency anymore...We know what we’re dealing with," Berman said, as daily death tolls in the U.S. continue to trend upward. (8/11) https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/07/16/efforts-underway-to-scale-back-some-of-gov-whitmers-powers/
Rep. Berman's view is particularly out of step with the residents of his county, which voted for Whitmer 57 to 40 in 2018. Notable, since such partisanship could have electoral implications for a party 4 seats away from becoming the minority. (9/11) https://www.politico.com/election-results/2018/michigan/governor/
Last month, Gov. Whitmer had a 60% approval rating. Allowing caucus members in targeted seats to go after our trusted governor seems harmful politically, and, much more importantly, dangerous to MI residents who take their cues from GOP leadership. (10/11) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/12/us/politics/trump-michigan-whitmer-benson-nessel.html
In the end, the science & evidence are clear: A statewide mandate requiring masks will reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect health, & save lives. As leader of his caucus, Speaker @LeeChatfield should promote a unified, accurate message on masks & ensure his members do the same.
