Why is Michigan shutting down indoor dining at restaurants for three weeks even though there aren’t as many outbreaks linked to restaurants compared to other activities? From Wednesday (Nov. 18) through Dec. 8, Michiganders will only be able to order takeout from restaurants, unless outdoor seating is available. Gretchen Whitmer was asked the following question Sunday when she announced the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s new COVID-19 rules. “Restaurants and bars were able at least to mitigate some difficulties earlier in the year with outdoor dining. “That’s why this activity, like the others that are being addressed, fell into this category.”Whitmer said shutting down indoor dining at restaurants is among the actions health experts recommended to slow the spread of COVID-19.

On Wednesday, Michigan will enter a three-week period of heightened COVID-19 restrictions, including no indoor dining at restaurants, remote learning for high school and college students and much more. But what will determine whether three weeks is long enough or if those restrictions need to be extended? We know masks protect the wearer, protect your family who you’re going home to every day, and you don’t want to bring something home. "Three weeks from now and every day in between the three weeks, we will be watching the numbers. We’ll be watching our percent positivity rates.

While announcing the new MDHHS order for three weeks of stricter COVID-19 regulations, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she hopes residents follow the new laws to avoid another stay-at-home order. During Sunday’s announcement, Whitmer mentioned the possibility of another stay-at-home order. Three days and more than 15,000 new COVID-19 cases later, MDHHS announced the three-week pause. Michigan reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 additional deaths Saturday -- one day after reporting a single-day record 8,516 cases.

The state of Michigan could soon see 1,000 COVID-19 deaths per week, according to a model referenced by Gov. “A leading model shows that if we don’t take aggressive action right now, we could soon see 1,000 deaths per week here in Michigan,” Whitmer said. As of Saturday afternoon, the state of Michigan has reported 251,813 COVID-19 cases and 7,994 deaths since the first cases were confirmed March 10. Michigan reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 additional deaths Saturday -- one day after reporting a single-day record 8,516 cases. “By Feb. 15, models predict we could have as many as 20,000 additional deaths due to COVID-19 in Michigan,” Khaldun said.

Michigan officials announced Sunday that in-person learning will be shut down for college and high school classes for three weeks due to COVID-19. “Of the 200 outbreaks that we are currently investigating ... 49% of them are associated with high schools," MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said. "Of the total number of individual cases associated with these outbreaks, almost two-thirds of those are associated with high schools. “We know that in-person instruction is really important for younger students,” Michigan Gov. “We know that the high school students -- it’s easier for them to learn online,” Khaldun said.