My hometown. Baraga County. The county that I grew up in. The town that I still live in. One that I’ve made a lot of memories in. One that I enjoy living in especially during summer time because of how beautiful it is along with the joy of camping.
The County that I’m now worried about because people are no longer seeming to care about the COVID-19 pandemic any longer. Along with people now seeming to forget about those elders who are loved ones and neighbors with underlining health conditions. Will another COVID breakout happen in the small community of Baraga? That’s a question that we’ll be finding out very soon.
As Baraga Co. currently leads Michigan in the death % from COVID, leaders in the County have signed what they called a “manifesto” to announce they’re no longer going to move forward with restrictions that the Michigan Gov. Whitmer has set in place. Even though they haven’t already been.
Baraga County has the highest coronavirus death rate in Michigan based on population. The county, with about 8,900 residents, has 29 confirmed coronavirus deaths and 476 confirmed cases. https://t.co/AVNzxIOKeS
— Stephanie Steenbergh (@urieth) January 12, 2021
This “manifesto” has gained traction by many media outlets and you can read it below:
But what happens with in the next month is going to really decide the outcome of how this “manifesto” was handled. Hopefully we don’t see another outbreak like Baraga Co. already has had in it’s Nursing Home and Prison.
Baraga County has the highest Covid death rate in the state of Michigan and they are fighting the mask up order. Suicidal/homicidal maniacs. Mask the fuck up! You don’t care about me and that does NOT give you the right to kill me.
— Lynn Virtanen, MPA (@virtanenl) January 12, 2021
I understand that these people who signed this more than likely just want to help small businesses who are struggling but to literally say you won’t enforce anything with masks is wild. Why not enforce masks, strictly, at the doors of businesses and allow them to open? As I’ve traveled safely during the pandemic, I’ve noticed that the U.P takes less caution than other states. It seems as if every business in Baraga Co. you can walk into and you don’t have to wear a mask. No one will tell you to put it on. Why not say you’ll enforce masks and allow businesses to reopen? Save lives and attempt to get back to normal. I’d sure love local health officials that’s we’ve trusted all our lives to be involved in these decisions.
[If you need a mask – buy one here]
But that’s not why we are here today. I have my opinion, you have yours.
What I do know is that people are making a ton of jokes about the Baraga Co. and the decision elected officials have made.
Although there are a lot of supporters of this there are a lot of people against what they’re deciding, along with tourists who help keep the economy afloat at times are now saying they won’t be back nor ever spending money in Baraga Co.
As a Michiganander, I will never step foot in or spend a dime in Baraga County.
— Kelly Cunningham (@KellyCuMur09) January 12, 2021
I have decided to ignore Baraga County, since my health is apparently not a priority.
— Cato 🇺🇲🌊⚖ (@JonathanStrouse) January 12, 2021
I’ve stopped spending money at businesses that do not require the minimal act of wearing a mask (i.e. many Krist locations) but with Baraga and Delta Counties taking these actions, I will unfortunately not be spending my money anywhere in their counties. #WearAMask #TUEBOR https://t.co/c3oW6THVio
— Tuebor (@TMHPolitics) January 12, 2021
Baraga County, where NOT to spend my money https://t.co/2MVIMbLGnj
— Phil P (@Uperpeninsula) January 12, 2021
Well, I won’t be visiting Baraga County anytime soon. Gross. https://t.co/6yAkhRY5In
— Karen Ambs (@NoNotThatKaren) January 12, 2021
These idiots & anyone from Baraga County who goes along with this should be refused medical care or at least go to the back of the line.
— KP (@kalyp123) January 12, 2021
Baraga County is not sending their best or their brightest, apparently. This SUCKS. 😒🤬
— Drew (@DrewVanDrese) January 12, 2021
This is the equivalent to
— K. C.B. (@KCBergsma) January 12, 2021
“Doctors told me to exercise and eat healthy, so I laughed and ate more bacon, steak, and Twinkies, but I still am having heart attacks and am 200 lbs overweight!! They know nothing!”
People who are moving to the U.P are saying they won’t be buying property in Baraga Co or returning newly bought property:
We will be buying property in the UP. Now we know not to buy in Baraga County. 🤷🏻♀️
— Cathy (@CathyCsercse) January 12, 2021
Besides writing it on what seems a legit typewriter – people can’t stop making fun of the County.
They are a bit stuck in time in that area.
— James 🏄🌊🇺🇸 (@nixw20) January 12, 2021
How have we reached this overflow of knuckleheads in office? This is terrible. I hope people voluntarily wear their masks, etc.
— Spunky🐱 (@SpunkybyChance) January 12, 2021
From a fellow Michigander: All you citizens of Baraga County, please do not venture into the lower peninsula of MI please. You are not welcome.
— mjm56 (@MaryJoM59307470) January 12, 2021
Google says Baraga County is an empty place in the Upper Peninsula.
— Corbly, Jon (@Corb_The_Lesser) January 12, 2021
Here is two that gave me a good laugh:
Cross Baraga County Michigan off your list of great places to live, unless you are a caveman.
— JayCee 🌊Congrats Senators🌊Ossoff🌊Warnock (@FoolsBelieve) January 12, 2021
People are making sure to point out that obviously majority of these people need a history lesson if they think what’s going on right now is as bad as what happened during “King George III and the American Revolution” pretty wild to compare that and what happened since then to what’s going on right now.
I believe majority of people want and think they’re doing the right thing.
Already Vaccinating?
Baraga County is literally disturbing the vaccine right now to those in the medical field and 65+, why not wait off to post this manifesto? Why not wait get the vaccine to those who need it?
Baraga County will be able to get the vaccine out to those who need it at a rather fast rate – as that rate is happening now – why issue this? Why not allow the health care workers to do their job for another couple of weeks and try and open back to normal when they have the vaccine?
People are saying they should border off people from Baraga Co:
States and counties surrounding Baraga should close their borders to its residents. No interstate buses or flights out should be allowed. Why should the rest of us get sick because these assholes are in denial? #Irresponsible https://t.co/hrMPVsLmMO
— Annie Carolina (@RileysTale) January 12, 2021
We will have to wait a month and see whose right, the elected officials of Baraga Co. or else the medical experts. Is there going to be another COVID outbreak or no?
If I was in charge, I’d want small businesses open. But to do it right – wait until those 65+ get the vaccine (which they are now) then enforce strict masks mandates in these businesses.
