To the Journal editor:

In Michigan, our state stands apart from the others in two important ways in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first is one of the strictest responses, meaning gathering limitations and business closures, among the 50 states. The second is the highest infection rate in the nation.

Our leaders told us we would have to endure this violation of our freedoms for the common good, and we did. Now it appears that was a complete waste.

COVID is spreading like wildfire here, while places with little to no restrictions, like Florida and Wisconsin, have small stable case levels.

A cynical person might say the state government’s response to COVID was an opportunistic power grab, an attempt to see how far Michiganders can be subjugated.

I personally believe they thought the restrictions were necessary and didn’t care whether they infringed upon our constitutional rights.

Regardless of the reason, I believe we are owed an apology and a complete cancellation of the ineffective and draconian restrictions.

For whatever reason, the absence of restrictions appears to be safer than what we have attempted here.