The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted every aspect of life. In the moment, it was hard to predict what would come next. But in May 2020, I tried.

Five years ago on March 10, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This episode illustrates that we’re not there. Michael J. Reitz is executive vice president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Michael D. Reitz, 59, Dauphin, passed away Aug. 13, 2009, of natural causes in Holy Spirit Hospital, East Pennsboro Township. Born in Reading, he was a son of Madeline (Klink) Weidner, Shillington.

Let’s prioritize policies that empower individuals to live the good life. Michael J. Reitz is executive vice president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.