LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is releasing a statement following President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
It reads:
“I want to start by wishing the president and first lady a speedy recovery. COVID-19 is the most dangerous public health crisis America has faced in 100 years. It is still present in our communities. It is still spreading. And people are still dying from it every single day.
This virus doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, a Republican or a Democrat, young or old. No one is immune. Not even the president.
Here’s the good news. We can beat this enemy – but it’s going to take every single one of us working together to do it. Right now the most effective weapon we have is pretty simple: it’s wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth. It’s washing your hands with soap and water. And maintaining six feet of physical distance from one another.
I know this is hard. It’s hard for our seniors, our parents, our students, our small businesses, and our frontline workers. This has been one of the most challenging experiences any of us has ever faced. But we must not let our guard down. We must remain vigilant. COVID-19 won’t just go away because we’re tired of the disruptions it has caused to our daily lives, and right now there is no cure.
My sincere hope is that today’s news will serve as a wakeup call to every single American. Right now all 50 states and the federal government have some kind of declared state of emergency. We are all in this together. Let’s all do our part. Let’s all mask up. And let’s get through this together, as one nation.”
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson also released a statement, “Sending my condolences to the President and First Lady and wishing them both a swift and full recovery. This is a reminder that this pandemic is real, ongoing and indiscriminate. We must all stay vigilant and protect each other by wearing a mask and social distancing.”
Around 1 a.m. Friday, President Trump tweeted, “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden posted on Twitter saying, “Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.” This comes as Biden is planning a visit to Grand Rapids on Friday.
Specifics on the event have not been publicly released, but a virtual talk about the recovery of the economy will take place around 1:20 p.m. followed by another event at 4:40 p.m.
The event will reportedly be closed to the public. Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist will also be in attendance.
