Hundreds of opponents of Michigan’s social distancing measures rallied in their cars in the state capital on Wednesday, snarling traffic and even blocking a hospital entrance in a protest against an executive order intended to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state.
“The cars were blocking one of our hospitals, so an ambulance literally wasn’t able to get into the bay for ten minutes,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whose statewide stay-at-home order provoked the ire of many right-wingers and Trump supporters. The order banned residents from traveling to second homes, closed non-essential businesses, and limited outdoor activities in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. Why the protest? Rallygoers fumed at what they see as inconsistencies in the stay-at-home order, like a prohibition on motor-powered boats that still allows for the use of sailboats or canoes. Anger over the expansive executive order was rooted partially in its directive that Michiganders limit inter-state travel and close the home-improvement sections of big box stores, which are under order to limit customer access to non-essential departments.