Can political leaders put partisanship aside to govern in a crisis? The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be a crucial test of politicians\u2019 willingness to put state before party. Acting swiftly to slow the spread of a novel virus and cooperating with cross-partisans could mean the difference between life and death for many state residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in the United States was reported in Washington state in January 2020. New cases, including incidents of community spread, continued to be recorded across the country in February. However, federal-level efforts<\/a> to \u201cflatten the curve\u201d did not begin in force until March. Michigan\u2019s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer was among the first governors to openly criticize the Trump administration\u2019s slow response. Her criticism led to an open partisan feud<\/a> on Twitter between the two leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n