GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — After Friday's ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court, the ongoing debate on wearing masks is back in the spotlight.
Michigan's highest court ruled Friday in a 4-3 decision that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s use of a 1945 law to extend executive orders wasunconstitutional.
Just hours after the ruling, two Michigan counties, Ingham and Oakland, issued their own local mask mandates. While no West Michigan health departments have issued similar mandates, some say they are now entertaining the idea.
Kent County Health Department official Kristina Wieghmink says while COVID-19 cases and deaths have remained relatively low throughout the pandemic, the county recently saw a spike in cases linked to the return of Grand Valley State University students. She says it will be important that people remain vigilant over the next several weeks, despite law.
Officials with the Muskegon County Health Department say they are not considering a mandate at this time but have similar concerns about people letting their guard down.
Kathy Moore with Muskegon County Public Health said, “We’ve gotten some reports that some community members have visited places of business and they have already relaxed their safe guards and they are very concerned."
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