Monthly Archives: April 2020

(April 24, 2020 11:57 AM) In response to issues surrounding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) last week ordered all utilities under its jurisdiction to provide certain protections for their customers and report related data to the MPSC by April 20.   However, due to limitations on the MPSC’s jurisdiction, the order does not address municipal utilities, which is why Attorney General Dana Nessel and consumer advocate groups are asking those entities to voluntarily comply with the MPSC order.   Joining the Attorney General in making that request is the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) and the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan (CUB).  Under the MPSC’s April 15 order, the following minimum protections are in place for vulnerable customers related to bill payment, disconnection of service and reconnection of service:   Protections for Michigan’s low-income customers and seniors – Suspend disconnections for Michigan’s most vulnerable populations, low-income and senior customers, through June 1, 2020, and waive late fees for eligible low-income customers receiving energy assistance.   Protections for customers medically affected by COVID-19 – Allow for customers exposed to, quarantined or infected by COVID-19 to be eligible for an additional 30-day medical hold to suspend a disconnection service. The criteria and eligibility provisions for this medical hold are in addition to those existing under state regulations (Mich Admin Code, R…

Governor’s Executive Order Lifts Restrictions on Activities like Lawn Care, Golfing, Boating (April 24, 2020 10:32 AM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-59, extending her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through May 15. The new order will require people to wear homemade face coverings when they enter enclosed public spaces. It will also lift some restrictions on outdoor activities and allow some workers who perform previously suspended activities to go back to work.  “Data shows that most Michiganders are doing their part by staying home and staying safe. That’s good, but we must keep it up. Social distancing is our best weapon to defeat this enemy,” said Governor Whitmer. “With new COVID-19 cases leveling off, however, we are lifting some of the restrictions put in place in the previous order. I want to be crystal clear: the overarching message today is still the same. We must all do our part by staying home and staying safe as much as possible.”  “The numbers we’ve seen in the past week have shown a plateau in positive cases, but Michiganders must continue doing their part to fight this virus and protect their families,” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief…

(April 24, 2020 10:16 AM) The Center for Family Health is partnering with the City of Jackson to open its second COVID-19 testing site at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Monday, April 27. CFH opened its first testing site two weeks ago at 505 N. Jackson Street as part of a statewide expansion of COVID-19 testing. “The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging health facilities to increase COVID-19 testing locations so that, as a state, we can slow the spread of the disease,” said Molly Kaser, President and CEO of the Center for Family Health. “It’s important to make testing easily available to all Jackson residents, particularly those who face transportation and other barriers,” Kaser said. City government is providing support for COVID-19 testing at the MLK Center, 1107 Adrian Street. A testing center will operate in the parking lot 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. “As we look forward to reopening our local economy during the coronavirus pandemic, we know our biggest need will be to increase and extend testing and contact tracing,” said Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies. “Our partnership with the Center for Family Health will help us realize this need,…

(April 23, 2020 9:57 PM) The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 7:30 PM Thursday, there are 917 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at facilities throughout the state.  Of that statewide total, 313 of the confirmed positive cases are at Jackson facilities. The number of positive COVID-19 cases at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater increased by 185 since yesterday’s report.  The Department reports the number of prisoners tested increased from 266 to 525. since Wednesday’s report.   74% of prisoners tested at Lakeland are confirmed positive. There have been a total of 28 deaths of prisoners who had tested positive for COVID-19, 9 of those deaths were among prisoners at Jackson facilities. In Jackson, there are 168 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Parnall Correctional Facility, 27 at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center, 24 at Duane Waters Health Center and 94 at G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility. Among staff, there are a total of 240 COVID-19 positive cases statewide.   In Jackson, there are 69 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases among employees at Parnall Correctional Facility, 1 at Cooper Street Correctional Facility, 16 at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center, 9 at G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility and…

(April 23, 2020 8:53 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a temporary, $2-per-hour pay raise for direct care workers providing Medicaid-funded in-home behavioral health and long-term care services to Michigan’s most vulnerable residents during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is part of Governor Whitmer’s ongoing efforts to support front-line health care workers risking their lives every day to protect the health and safety of these residents during the unprecedented public health crisis. “It has never been more important to care for our most vulnerable residents, and these direct care health workers are risking their lives every day to make sure we continue to flatten the curve,” Governor Whitmer said. “It is our duty as Michiganders to ensure these front-line heroes have the financial support they need to continue doing their critical work while caring for themselves and their families.” The pay increase will apply to direct care workers providing Medicaid-funded in-home behavioral health and long-term care services for children and adults. The program will apply to services provided between April and June. "Every day, caregivers are going into the homes of disabled and elderly residents to help them live with dignity,” said State Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor). “These…