Michigan Bans 'All Public and Private Gatherings,' Will Still
Allow Lottery Sales
The governor's new stay-at-home order is arbitrary and far too
strict.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued an updated stay-at-
home order—arguably the most constraining in the nation.
"As governor, I have to use every lever at my disposal to
protect people," the Democrat said at a press conference Monday
afternoon. "It weighs heavily, and I know that there [are] costs
associated."
Some of the levers at Whitmer's disposal appear to be
ineffective at best and draconian at worst. Her directive
forbids the in-store sale of paint, outdoor goods, and other
allegedly nonessential items at large retailers.* (Home
improvement stores can remain open, but they have to tape off
those sections from customers.) It shuts down lawncare services.
It bans travel between Michigan residences. It prohibits "all
public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring
among persons not part of a single household."
The order carves out a few exceptions, including for critical
infrastructure workers and for those who have to take care of a
relative.
Critics honed in on the lopsided nature of the order, which
blocks the sale of all sorts of goods yet somehow still allows
for the purchase of lottery tickets. One possible explanation: A
large chunk of lottery proceeds go to K-12 education in the
state.
"You can't go visit your friends. You can't buy seeds…but you
can sneak out and buy lottery tickets," 88-year-old Hal Hughes
told The Detroit Free Press. "I don't understand it, unless it's
hypocritical greed."
You elected this stupid fat bitch.
https://reason.com/2020/04/13/michigan-gretchen-whitmer-bans-all-
public-and-private-gatherings-will-still-allow-lottery-sales/