May 4, 2021

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 111 S Capitol Ave Lansing, MI 48933

Dear Governor Whitmer,

We are pleased to see you have decided to change course and utilize metrics that will be beneficial in reopening Michigan quickly, using vaccinations as a tool to move beyond COVID-19.

As you know, the Legislature has worked hard over the past year to encourage the use of data-based plans similar to the ‘Vacc to Normal’ program you recently introduced. We firmly believe metrics like these are the best way to move forward so we can once again support our favorite small businesses, visit elderly and infirm family members, and get kids back in classrooms.

Despite the promising reopening plan under these new guidelines, current protocols measuring the number of vaccinated individuals do not account for Michiganders crossing into other states or countries for their inoculation. After a year of enduring strict lockdown measures, we should be doing everything we can to return to normal, yet your new metrics seemingly exclude individuals who have been immunized in other states from being counted toward reopening goals.

Some of the counties with the worst vaccination rates are near Michigan’s southern borders. It is a distinct possibility that people are crossing into Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin, states which had broader initial vaccine rollouts than Michigan, and getting vaccinated there. It is also essential to account for Michigan snowbirds, many of whom were vaccinated down south and are now heading back to Michigan as the weather warms up.

Currently, only Michigan healthcare providers can add to the vaccine registry. Those vaccinated in other states won’t be recorded unless they tell their Michigan-based doctors. In Ohio alone, nearly 79,000 non- Ohio residents had been vaccinated as of March 31st, many traveling from Michigan’s borders. We encourage you to simplify the reporting process by allowing other states to report vaccinations back to Michigan authorities.

Vaccines are a powerful tool in the fight against this virus. If Michigan is going to rely solely on vaccination records to end COVID restrictions, all vaccinated Michiganders deserve to be properly accounted for so we can return to normalcy as quickly as possible.

With your direct and immediate intervention, these guidelines can be appropriately updated to properly record the number of vaccinated residents, regardless of where they chose to get vaccinated. We urge you to improve the system for counting vaccinated individuals so we can accurately gauge the progress our state has made in fighting this virus.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to talking to you soon about this request.

Sincerely,

Representatives , TC Clements, , Andrew Fink, , , Beau LaFave, and Greg Markkanen.

Pauline Wendzel Joe Bellino th th State Representative, 79 District State Representative, 17 District

TC Clements Beau LaFave State Representative, 56th District State Representative, 108th District

Bronna Kahle Greg Markkanen th State Representative, 57th District State Representative, 110 District

Andrew Fink State Representative, 58th District

Sarah Lightner State Representative, 65th District