Rep. Beau LaFave today criticized Gov. Whitmer’s benchmarks for reopening the state of Michigan in the wake of COVID-19. LaFave commented that the newly announced measures do not account for those with natural immunity or those who have traveled outside of the state or country for vaccinations.
“How can we have a robust reopening plan without accounting for Michiganders who have recovered, and gained immunity, from COVID-19,” asked Rep. LaFave. “I find it absurd that the governor refuses to include people who have been naturally immunized from this virus in her reopening benchmarks. It is redundant and unnecessary for people with natural antibodies to be vaccinated only so they can be counted toward immunization totals, which is currently the only metric being counted.”
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has reported that natural infection almost always causes better immunity than vaccines, in part because immunity from disease often follows a single natural infection while immunity from vaccines usually occurs after several doses. The National Institute of Health (NIH) also notes that the immune systems of more than 95% of people who recovered from COVID-19 had durable memories of the virus.
“I also find it problematic that the governor has not found a way to include all individuals vaccinated in other states and countries in her recently-set benchmarks,” said Rep. LaFave. “Allowing other states or countries to report vaccinations back to Michigan authorities would be beneficial, as an updated system would easily count Florida snowbirds, like her own father, and those vaccinated in other countries, like Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, toward the totals. If the goal is to base reopening on vaccination totals, let’s count every person who has received the vaccine, regardless of where they got it.”
Currently, only Michigan health-care providers can add to the vaccine registry.
It has been reported that Governor Whitmer’s father spends the winter months in Florida, where she recently visited him. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein received his COVID-19 vaccination in Dubai during a prolonged and controversial visit to the Middle East.
The reopening plan announced last week will use four vaccination-based milestones, relying on data for residents 16 years or older who have received their first dose.
Republican state lawmakers today sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urging her to reevaluate benchmarks announced in last week’s reopening plan. The eight legislators, mostly representing border counties, were pleased the governor decided to change course and implement a plan to open the state but are concerned the assessment of vaccinated individuals excludes people vaccinated outside of Michigan.
The representatives jointly said:
“Vaccinations are a powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19 and a metric-based reopening plan is one we have fought long and hard for throughout the past year. But, as we now know, Michigan had one of the worst vaccine rollouts across the nation, which spurred many people to cross state borders into Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin to receive the vaccine. The low vaccination rates associated with these border counties do not accurately reflect reality.
We urge Governor Whitmer to expand existing benchmarks and create a more reliable recording process to include Michiganders vaccinated out-of-state, so we can more accurately portray the number of statewide inoculations. This will allow us to reopen our state even more quickly and safely so we can once again support our favorite small businesses, visit elderly family members, and make in-person learning a priority for our children.”
The reopening plan announced last week will use four vaccination-based milestones to prepare for reopening the state, relying on data for residents 16 years or older who have received their first dose.
The following legislators signed the letter to Governor Whitmer: Joe Bellino, TC Clements, Bronna Kahle, Andrew Fink, Sarah Lightner, Pauline Wendzel, Beau LaFave, and Greg Markkanen.
Comments