Scott Atlas urges Michigan to 'stand up' against covid measures

Covid-19 attacks the US Secret Service 0:47

Washington (CNN) -

Dr. Scott Atlas, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, criticized Michigan's new covid-19 restrictions in a tweet shortly after they were announced Sunday night, urging people to "stand up" against the new public health measures.

"The only way this stops is if people get up," Atlas said.

"You get what you accept."

His message, which runs counter to the consensus of public health officials, is likely to fuel a new tension between the White House and Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was the target of an alleged national terrorism hijacking plan. , federal and state officials said last month.

Michigan Governor Responds to Atlas

In response to Atlas' tweet on Sunday night, Whitmer told CNN's Wolf Blitzer: “We know the White House likes to point us out here in Michigan, me in particular.

I'm not going to be intimidated into not following renowned scientists and medical professionals.

Instead, Whitmer said, she consults "people who have really studied and are highly respected around the world on these issues, not the ... not the individual who carries out the president's orders on this issue."

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel echoed that message in a couple of tweets Sunday night, calling the Atlas post "disappointing, irresponsible, and the reason the United States is in such circumstances. Desperate About Covid-19 ".

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"I look forward to a new federal administration that works cooperatively with our state government to protect Michigan residents," said Nessel, a Democrat.

"A patriot," he continued, "is someone who protects America from its enemies, both domestic and foreign."

«Covid-19 is the enemy, not one for the other.

Stop pitting Americans against each other and start supporting policies that have proven themselves in fighting the virus.

Three week break

Whitmer announced in a press conference early Sunday that Michigan will begin a "three-week hiatus aimed at indoor social gatherings and other group activities" to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

"If everyone does their part, we will see a huge benefit," he told Blitzer about the new measures.

"But we will evaluate it every step of the way."

Throughout the pandemic, Whitmer has been the focus of criticism from far-right groups.

The alleged plot to kidnap her included plans to overthrow several state governments that the suspects "believe are violating the US Constitution," according to a federal criminal complaint.

Still, she joins a list of officials who are tightening their restrictions as coronavirus cases continue to rise.

Cases on the rise

The United States surpassed 11 million coronavirus cases on Sunday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The latest milestone comes just six days after the US recorded 10 million cases.

It was the fastest the United States has added a million new cases since the pandemic began.

Unlike the government medical experts who advised Trump in the early months of the pandemic, Atlas has taken a public stance on the virus much closer to that of the president, even calling the idea that schools are not "hysteria." they may reopen this fall and pushing for the resumption of college sports.

"He is working with us and will work with us on the coronavirus," Trump said in August.

And he has a lot of great ideas.

And he believes that what we have done is really good, and now we will take it to a new level.

CNN's Laura Ly contributed to this report.

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