LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday she respects the right to protest but believes many of the thousands of people who gathered at the Capitol Wednesday put themselves and others at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Whitmer gave an update on Michigan's efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic from the Romney Building, across the street from the Capitol. As she spoke, the protest that saw thousands of vehicles block streets and hundreds of people gather around the Capitol lawn was winding down, just outside.

>> Watch replay: Vehicle protest at Michigan Capitol

"I was really disappointed to see people congregating and not wearing masks," Whitmer said.

She said she saw one person "handing out candy with bare hands."

Whitmer said she was also disappointed with reports of at least one ambulance being delayed amid other traffic disruptions. Also, "they were in close proximity, they were touching each other."

“We know that this demonstration is going to come at a cost to people’s health," Whitmer said. "When people gather that way without masks ... that’s how COVID-19 spreads.

"The sad irony here is that ... they don’t like being in this stay-at-home order and they may have just created the need to lengthen it, which is something we’re trying to avoid at all costs.”

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Whitmer said she also saw at least one demonstrator "flying the Confederate flag" — a symbol of racism and white supremacy.

Many of the protesters said Whitmer's extended stay-at-home order is government overreach, citing the closing down of greenhouses and landscaping companies as examples. They say Whitmer should allow more people to go back to work because they believe many Michigan workers can do so safely.

Whitmer said for the sake of Michigan's health care professionals fighting on the front lines in the state's overloaded hospitals, everyone should keep a 6-foot distance from others and wear masks in public.

"This is about public health," she said. "I'm not focusing on politics. I'm trying to save lives here."

Whitmer said a Michigan COVID-19 survivor who recently met with President Donald Trump at the White House said he believes he contracted the virus from touching a gas pump. That alone is reason for people to not be out traveling if they do not need to be, she said.

Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Michigan on March 10 and announced a "stay-at-home" order March 23 that directed residents to stay inside, except for essential purposes, and told businesses deemed nonessential to stop calling employees in to work. Last week, she extended that order until May 1, while imposing tougher restrictions on nonessential travel and some retail outlets.

The car-based demonstration, dubbed "Operation Gridlock," was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition, which says the restrictions have gone too far and are violating constitutional rights and hurting Michigan's economy.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4. Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter.