Monthly Archives: March 2020

(March 23, 2020 7:06 AM) Consumers Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe and her husband announced today they are donating $1 million to help small businesses in her company’s hometown of Jackson as a personal commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic, “We like to say at Consumers Energy that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something. I think it’s important that we all do what we can right now to help our friends and neighbors,” Poppe said. “Small businesses are the heart of our state, and my husband and I are hopeful that we can do our part to help the businesses in our hometown  through this extraordinary time.” Poppe and her husband, Eric, are making the donation to the Jackson Community Foundation to set up the Dream Maker Small Business Emergency Relief Fund. The money ultimately will be provided as grants to businesses through The Enterprise Group, Jackson County’s economic development agency. Patti Poppe is a Jackson County native and still lives in the county today.  The fund will accept donations from the public, and businesses can apply for assistance online. Learn more: www.DreamMakerFund.org  The Consumers Energy Foundation also announced last week it is supporting two statewide…

(March 22, 2020 8:45 PM) A group of restaurants from around the country is backing a new campaign called the “Great American Takeout” in a bid to support the struggling restaurant industry,  hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Tuesday, March 24 has been designated “Great American Takeout Day”. Besides Michigan, several other states have ordered dine-in restaurant operations to close.  The shutdown is creating significant economic harm in the restaurant industry.  An estimated 15 million people are employed in the sector. All restaurants in Michigan can still offer take-out, delivery and catering service and the coalition is asking Americans to order at least one delivery or pick-up meal on Tuesday to show support for the industry. Many Jackson area restaurants are offering take-out service and JTV is maintaining a listing here.  Restaurants are invited to submit their information here. Jason Martinez, General Manager of One North Kitchen and Bar said, “Takeout is going as well as can be expected.  We’re looking forward to continuing our hours of 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM.  We’re also doing curbside pickup as well as contact-free delivery or standard to go orders.” Some restaurants are also able to deliver beer and wine.  “Because of the…

(March 22, 2020 4:14 PM) 108,710 unemployment claims were filed in Michigan between last Monday and Friday, compared to a normal average of around 5,000 claims.  Figures released today by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity show an approximate 2,100% increase over an average week. As thousands of employees across Michigan are impacted by COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order signed on Monday to expand unemployment benefits continues to provide emergency relief to the state’s working families. While experiencing a tremendous increase in demand, Michigan’s unemployment system continues to serve customers. “We understand that COVID-19 has caused economic harm to our workers as sacrifices are made to protect all of our residents. Extending and expanding unemployment benefits has provided emergency relief to many Michiganders,” said Jeff Donofrio, director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “Even though we’ve seen an unprecedented need for emergency financial assistance, Michigan’s unemployment system, and its hardworking staff, continue to provide critical help online and over the phone. Michiganders impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic should continue to visit michigan.gov/UIA  or call 866-500-0017 to apply for benefits.” States from around the country have experienced similar increases in unemployment claims as a result of COVID-19…

(March 22, 2020 2:07 PM)  Michigan reported 249 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, pushing the state reported total to 1,035. The State of Michigan is reporting three COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 8.  The first death in Western Michigan, occurring in Kent County,  is among the deaths reported.  Other deaths in today’s count were in the City of Detroit and in Macomb County. No new cases were reported for Jackson County.  Jackson County has one positive COVID-19 case which was announced on Tuesday. The state updates its totals at 2 PM each day.  The numbers often do not reflect an individual county’s case count because the counties may report confirmed cases a day earlier than the state. The state is now reporting positive tests as of 10 a.m. on the same day. The daily report from the State now includes results from commercial and clinical labs who recently began providing COVID-19 testing. MDHHS is currently receiving reports from commercial labs LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics and several clinical labs including Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, the Beaumont Hospital Network, Henry Ford Health System and the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories (BOL). Daily Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by County County Cases…

(March 22, 2020 10:33 AM) As of 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, there is one positive case of COVID-19 in Jackson County. The individual is not receiving care at Henry Ford Allegiance Health.  Yesterday, the Henry Ford Allegiance Health COVID-19 drive-through screening and testing center tested 28 individuals for COVID-19. An additional 14 people did not need to be tested; these individuals were provided with education.  As CDC recommendations for screening and testing change, we are modifying testing criteria at the drive-through center.  Drive-through testing is only recommended if individuals are experiencing symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, or shortness of breath), and have a risk factor (e.g., age 65 or older, chronic medical condition, or immunocompromised), and one of the following: Travel outside of Michigan within the past 14 days. Close contact with someone who already has, or is suspected to have, COVID-19.  According to Courtland Keteyian, MD, VP, Population Health; and president and CEO of Jackson Health Network, “For otherwise healthy individuals with symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever or cough, we are asking them to self-isolate at home for 14 days and not seek testing. Their close contacts, such as family members living with them, should also self-isolate…

(March 22, 2020 10:17 AM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer this morning called on the Trump Administration to allow a special enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act for Michigan. On March 11,  Governor Whitmer and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Director Anita Fox called on the Trump administration to allow for a special enrollment period to allow Michiganders to sign up for coverage.  Today, the Governor re-issued her appeal. “During this crisis, we must do everything we can to ensure access to quality, affordable health care,” said Governor Whitmer. “That’s why we have called on the president to allow for a special enrollment period. It is more important than ever for Michiganders to know they have health insurance coverage that will pay for them to be tested and treated for COVID-19.  Michigan and thirty-two other states with federally-facilitated marketplaces need the Trump administration to allow the state to open enrollment. As of today, nine states who operate state-based exchanges have opened special enrollment periods to allow people to sign up for health insurance coverage." In a press statement, the Governor noted, “After Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria devastated communities across the Southern United States, the Centers for Medicare and…