It’s been five years since Michigan residents learned a new term: lockdown. But hardly anyone talks about it today — not politicians, not the press, not public health officials. Perhaps they simply prefer to forget that ugly episode, but that would be a mistake. Lockdowns were an unprecedented experiment that created immense controversy. These policies should be thoroughly scrutinized.

Gov. Whitmer and public health officials are not likely to go back and study the ramifications of their lockdown policies. What they find may reflect badly on their decisions during the COVID-19 panic. It will be up to others to apply these lessons.

There is much to learn from that frenzied period, five years ago. The public realized that government officials can do virtually anything when they grant themselves emergency powers. People learned these extraordinary powers can last a long time. Public officials should be investigating whether this approach is best.

Join us for this President’s Council Luncheon, featuring a presentation from Michael Van Beek, the director of research at the Mackinac Center. He has closely studied Michigan’s emergency powers and the lessons policymakers need to implement, as revealed by the Whitmer administration’s response to COVID-19.

Joseph G. Lehman, president of the Mackinac Center, will provide an update on current issues facing Michigan today.