Right now is a scary and confusing time for people all over Michigan, but right now is also the time to remember that through compassion, unity, and listening to public health experts, we can continue to support our communities, even in the face of crisis. Compassion comes in many forms, but during this unprecedented time the most compassionate thing we can do for ourselves and one another is to practice responsibility.

We as Michiganders have a responsibility to each other to practice safe social distancing and to support workers and small businesses however we can. We have a responsibility to support healthcare and other essential workers who are working on the frontlines to keep our communities and families safe by staying home - even if it’s one of the toughest things we’ve had to do. We all have our part to play.

While many of us are frustrated that we can’t continue our daily routines, we realize that the decisions made by Governor Whitmer haven't been easy, but that they are what we need to do to ensure we’re protecting public health. We also realize that the sacrifices we make to stay home, practice social distancing, and only go out when it’s essential will ultimately save thousands of lives. 

We know that the steps taken to slow the spread of the virus are having an impact on family budgets, small businesses and our state's economy. But it’s clear that following the advice of public health experts now and being thoughtful on when and how businesses are reopened will help drive our economy forward in the long run.

This is what compassion looks like. Let’s send a message to our healthcare professionals, other frontline workers, and the Governor that we have their back.