Whitmer Calls For Federal Mask Mandate In New York Times Op-Ed

MICHIGAN — In an op-ed in Wednesday's New York Times, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for a federal mandate requiring residents wear masks and face coverings to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Whitmer said in the article that Michigan has been hit hard by the virus, ranking as high as third in the nation in coronavirus deaths. While the state was able to flatten the curve of new cases since that time, Whitmer said the Trump administration should require masks to prevent another spike.

"When more Americans wear a mask in public, we can save lives and put ourselves in a better position to send our children back to school in the fall," she wrote.

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The governor said a mask mandate would also increase the chances of students being able to return to in-person instruction in the fall. Trump has maintained that he hopes students will return to class.

"But I am not sending kids and our education work force into our schools unless it is safe to do so," Whitmer said. "And the most effective way we can protect our students and the millions of dedicated educators across the country is to ensure we all mask up now. This can be accomplished best through a federal mandate."

You can read Whitmer's complete op-ed here.