Whitmer wants more vaccines from Biden and voluntary restrictions on activities from residents. But she resisted pressure from some health officials to respond to a flood of cases with new mandates.
Mike Wilkinson
Mike has been a reporter for Bridge Michigan since 2013 and focuses on data-assisted reporting, often finding stories by analyzing maps and data sets and has created Bridge's dashboards on COVID-19, the state's economy and Michigan's elections. He held similar positions at The Detroit News and The Blade of Toledo. A native of Michigan, Mike grew up in Macomb County, graduated from the University of Michigan and started his reporting career in New Baltimore before his career took him to Illinois, Tennessee and Ohio. You can reach him at mwilkinson@bridgemi.com
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan COVID hospitalizations again on the rise, but patients are younger
Vaccines have protected Michigan’s oldest residents in this latest surge that’s fueled, at last in part, by more contagious variants. Though hospital beds are filling, younger patients are more likely to survive the virus.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer indicates no new MI COVID restrictions are coming
Whitmer said Friday the tools to solving the COVID crisis are vaccines and personal responsibility — masks, distancing, avoiding crowds — not state-imposed restrictions on businesses or gatherings, even though Michigan has the nation’s highest infection rate.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Whitmer is holding off for now on Michigan COVID limits. Here’s why.
Michigan now has the highest rate of new coronavirus infections in the nation and a surge that mirrors the deadly one from the fall. But so much is different this spring — from vaccination levels to warming temps.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
All is forgiven, Ohio*. Thanks for the COVID vaccine. Sincerely, Michigan.
Thousands throughout Michigan are doing the unthinkable and headed south to Ohio. (* forgiven for now)
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan tops U.S. in new COVID cases. Is it variants or just our turn?
Coronavirus cases in Michigan are increasing faster than in any other state, leaving many to wonder what’s driving the surge.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools reopened. Then came a spike in COVID outbreaks
With coronavirus cases surging, some Michigan schools are temporarily moving back to online learning. There’s no sign of a statewide school shutdown, though.
Posted inTalent & Education
As COVID spread, far fewer Michigan high school grads enrolled in college
The enrollment drop last fall was particularly pronounced among Black, Hispanic, and low-income students, groups hit hard by the pandemic and the resulting economic strain. See how college enrollment rates in your school district changed in 2020.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer: COVID tests for student athletes, but more fans for Detroit Tigers
As coronavirus cases surge in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is moving to mandate student athlete testing while expanding capacity at Comerica Park. That has some worried.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
No doubt: Third surge of COVID has hit Michigan. Can we vaccinate fast enough?
Three weeks of steady increases in coronavirus cases have health officials worried and wondering whether the pace of vaccinations can prevent a wave of deaths and hospitalizations.