Lansing Sun

A new Michigan contact tracing mandate could open up the floodgates to a plethora of misreported information and false data, Michigan Capitol Confidential alleges. 

Under the new Gatherings and Face Masks Epidemic Order, which was imposed Oct. 29, a multitude of businesses -- from salons to tattoo parlors to movie theaters and restaurants -- must collect the names and phone numbers of all patrons, in an effort to "help slow the spread of an epidemic of respiratory-born disease, like COVID-19."

While the state order says that the matter is a simple process of collecting the information, storing it confidentially and only producing it to local public health officials when prompted, there is no way for businesses specified in the mandate to verify that the name and phone number provided by the customer is accurate. 

This could poke countless holes in the contact tracing chain, rending the whole effort ineffective. Businesses could be cited in violation of the order if they aren't collecting customer data, but there is no accountability to keep an individual from providing a fake name and number. 

"An organization is required to collect contact information for contact tracing to the best of its ability but is not responsible if that information is ultimately incorrect," said the order document.

You can get more information on the order by visiting Michigan.gov.