Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put the state of Michigan under lockdown March 24 with Executive Order 2020-21, temporarily suspending nonessential activities and work to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

People are allowed to participate in outdoor activities like walking or running as long as they remained six feet apart. They can also go to stores to get groceries or care for other family members along with other exceptions stated in the order.

Fast food restaurants, grocery stores, security businesses, waste removal, gas stations, and medical operations have all been deemed essential for the function of society.

However, many people are going out in public without an essential purpose.

Social media platforms, celebrities, and government officials have been begging people to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but some people ignore their warning and go out with friends like it was any other day.

Since citizens are ignoring the stay-at-home order, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the order yet again, this time until May 15.

While some restrictions have been eased to allow certain businesses to reopen, the spread of COVID-19 due to inessential activities has contributed to the situation that forced Whitmer to make that decision.

I understand that people miss their friends. I do too.

But I can still keep in touch with them through social media and I’m willing to wait out the extended lockdown to see them. It’s when people ignore the order that other people suffer for it.

Society wants to get back to normal as fast as possible, so for society’s sake, stay home and stay safe.