Monthly Archives: April 2020

(April 30, 2020 10:03 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-69 which extends her previous order that temporarily closes certain places of public accommodation such as theaters, bars, casinos, and more. In order to maintain social distancing the order also limits restaurants to carry-out and delivery orders.    “Although we are beginning to see the curve flatten, we are not out of the woods yet. We must all continue to be diligent, observe social distancing and limit in-person interactions and services to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michigan now has more than 40,000 cases of COVID-19. The virus has killed more Michiganders than we lost during the Vietnam war. Extending this order is vital to the health and safety of every Michigander. If we work together and do our part, we can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”  This order does not restrict a place of business from offering food and beverage using delivery service, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service, or drive-up service. Places of public accommodation are encouraged to offer food and beverage service in one or more of those ways and use precautions to mitigate potential transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing and wearing as face covering. Restaurants may allow five people inside at a time to pick up orders, so long…

(April 30, 2020 8:59 PM) Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, today issued the following statement, remarks delivered on the floor of the Michigan Senate regarding not extending Governor Whitmer’s emergency declaration: “Over the past several weeks, we have watched our world and our state cope with an unprecedented threat.  COVID-19 has brought the threat of infection, but it has also brought unimaginable heartbreak and loss for families. "We have seen everyday workers become everyday heroes as they work to ensure we have access to food and medical care.  Parents and children have adapted to working and learning from home.  And, loved ones have been forced to die alone in order to protect their families from the threat of the virus.  "We have all come to the realization that life is different and is likely to remain different for some time.  "We have also learned that there has to be balance between life on lock down and life lived in the presence of COVID-19.  We can no longer allow one person to make decisions for 10 million people.  "Many weeks ago, our Governor acted quickly at the onset of COVID-19 with a one-size-fits-all, heavy-handed emergency order.  Michigan citizens adapted quickly…

(April 30, 2020 8:36 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed three new executive orders in the state’s continuing fight against COVID-19.  “COVID-19 is an enemy that has taken the lives of more Michiganders than we lost during the Vietnam War,” said Governor Whitmer. “While some members of the legislature might believe this crisis is over, common sense and all of the scientific data tells us we’re not out of the woods yet. By refusing to extend the emergency and disaster declaration, Republican lawmakers are putting their heads in the sand and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk. I’m not going to let that happen.”  “Today I signed new emergency and disaster declarations using independent sources of statutory authority to make sure our health care workers and first responders have the tools they need to save lives and protect Michiganders,” said Whitmer. “We’re all in this together. Defeating COVID-19 is an all hands on deck moment for our state, and I remain hopeful that Republicans in the legislature will stop the partisan games and start working with me to re-engage our economy safely and responsibly.”  The executive orders cite extensive data validating the existence of an emergency and disaster across…

(April 30, 2020 7:44 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-65 to extend and clarify Executive Order 2020-35, which ordered all K-12 school buildings to close for instructional purposes to students for the remainder of the school year, and provided continuity of learning infrastructure by setting guidelines for remote learning. In addition to continuing the actions taken in the previous executive order, Executive Order 2020-65 also suspends in-person instruction of both the Great Start Readiness Program and early childhood programs for the reminder of the 2019-2020 school year. GSRP is Michigan’s state-funded preschool program.  “A few weeks ago I made the difficult choice to close our school facilities for the remainder of the school year. I understand the tremendous impact this has placed on families, teachers, staff and students. It was not a decision I took lightly,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am so thankful for the tireless work of our frontline school employees who are working every day to ensure the continued education of Michigan’s kids. Already, I have seen amazing stories of teachers doing their part and working hard to make sure their students have the resources they need. This order builds upon my previous order to ensure schools have the clear guidance they need to give Michigan students the best, most equitable education possible from the safety of their homes.”  Under the re-issued EO, school districts that run Great Start Readiness Programs (GSRP) must also detail a plan…

(April 30, 2020 5:01 PM) Spring Arbor University freshman electrical engineering student Noah Waldron is using his talents and education to make a difference for those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19. Making use of the 3D printer he created in his first year of the engineering program at SAU, Noah has printed more than 300 plastic headbands, which modify face masks to increase comfort, for the healthcare staff at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. Noah’s mother works for Henry Ford Allegiance Health. Like many other medical professionals, she and her coworkers feel the pressure of trying to stay safe while caring for patients. “My mom brought up an issue of the masks not fitting securely to the face and mentioned how they put a lot of pressure on the ears,” says Noah. “Sending some examples, she asked if I could create a headband that addressed these issues to make the mask-wearing experience more comfortable.” While other bands are crocheted or sewn and feature buttons around which ear loops can be hooked, the bands Noah makes are unique to his particular interests. Produced on his 3D printer, they are made of black, flexible plastic and feature notches on…