It includes Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-Ill.), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.), Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), Gov. Eric Holcomb (R-Ind.), Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.), Gov. Tony Evers (D-Wis.) and Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.).
“We look forward to working with experts and taking a fact-based, data-driven approach to reopening our economy in a way that protects families from the spread of COVID-19,” the governors said in a statement. “Our No. 1 priority when analyzing when [is] best to reopen our economy is the health and safety of our citizens.”
The Midwestern alliance joins pacts on the West Coast and in the Northeast that were announced earlier this week. Altogether, the 17 states covered by the partnerships are home to nearly half the country’s population.
“Phasing in sectors of our economy will be most effective when we work together as a region,” the governors said. They emphasized that the partnership does not translate to all seven states reopening their economies at once, or every state taking the same steps simultaneously.
“But close coordination will ensure we get this right,” they continued.
“We are eager to work together to mitigate the economic crisis this virus has caused in our region,” the governors said. “We recognize that our economies are all reliant on each other, and we must work together to safely reopen them so hardworking people can get back to work, and businesses can get back on their feet.”
- sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations,
- enhanced ability to test and trace, sufficient health care capacity to handle resurgence,
- best practices for social distancing in the workplace.
Trump said the decisions are based on the latest data.
“Our experts say the curve has flattened, and the peak in new cases is behind us,” the president said. “Nationwide, more than 850 counties—or nearly 30 percent—have reported no new case in the last seven days.”