Monthly Archives: April 2020

(April 2, 2020 10:19 AM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-35, which orders all K-12 school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year — unless restrictions are lifted — and ensures continuing of learning by setting guidelines for remote learning. District facilities may be used by public school employees and contractors for the purposes of facilitating learning at a distance while also practicing social distancing. “My number one priority right now is protecting Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19. For the sake of our students, their families, and the more than 100,000 teachers and staff in our state, I have made the difficult decision to close our school facilities for the remainder of the school year,” Governor Whitmer said. “As a parent, I understand the challenge closing schools creates for parents and guardians across the state, which is why we are setting guidelines for schools to continue remote learning and ensuring parents have resources to continue their children’s education from the safety of their homes. There is no video chat or homework packet that can replace the value of a highly trained, experienced teacher working with students in a classroom, but we must continue…

Veritas in Downtown Jackson opened last fall.  The restaurant decided to remain closed during the Governor's ordered shut-down. (April 2, 2020 8:51 AM) In Michigan, the restaurant industry lost an estimated $491 million in sales and more than 72,000 jobs during the first 22 days of March. According to a survey released by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association,  62% of restaurants laid off employees. Restaurants and bars across the state are dealing with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's executive order that closed doors on March 16 until at least April 13. The closure was put in place, according to Whitmer, to "mitigate the spread of COVID-19, protect the public health, and provide essential protections to vulnerable Michiganders."   Survey Results  Eighty-four percent of Michigan restaurant operators say their total dollar sales volume during the period from March 1 to March 22 was lower it was during the same period in 2019. Nine percent of operators reported higher sales, while 7 percent of operators say their sales were about the same as they were during the same period in 2019. On average, restaurant operators reported a 43 percent decline in sales during the period from March 1 to March 22. Michigan restaurant…

(April 2, 2020 6:48 AM) St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea and the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, is allowing the use of alternative, non-commercially produced cotton masks for colleagues who are not directly providing care to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. To help staff feel safer and more protected, and to help conserve N95 masks for colleagues in COVID-19 clinical spaces, employees who are not in direct contact with COVID-19 patients or Persons Under investigation (PUI) may bring in any cotton mask that is made or donated. Several of St. Joe's donation centers have received masks already from community members and groups. The following unused and unopened items continue to be accepted: ·         PAPRs ·         Regular masks ·         N95 masks ·         Face shields ·         Gowns ·         Hot glue sticks ·         Surgical caps/protective caps ·         Eyeglass shields/goggles ·         Nasal testing swabs ·         M4 viral media ·         Lysol or Clorox wipes ·         Hand sanitizer ·         Transparency sheets ·         Elastic banding for masks Donation Center Locations: St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday thru Friday: Drop off at White Tent, Near Emergency Department, located at 775 S. Main St., Chelsea St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor - 8 a.m. to 4…

(April 2, 2020 6:27 AM) The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect program has launched a new grant program providing a total of $1 million in grants to Michigan’s small manufacturers looking to retool and produce critical health and human service supplies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. “Michigan has the manufacturing strength, innovation and determination to lead the charge in establishing an Arsenal of Health to address the shortage of critical supplies we are facing as a result of the COVID-19 virus,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “The PMBC COVID-19 Emergency Access and Retooling Grants program will provide immediate assistance to small businesses around the state who are ready to step up and use their manufacturing know-how and retool to support recovery efforts in this time of need.” The PMBC COVID-19 Emergency Access and Retooling Grants program will award grants of $10,000 to $150,000 to companies that can quickly and effectively manufacture critical health and human service supplies. Michigan small businesses (per SBA size standards) and established nonprofits are eligible to apply. Businesses can use the funds to support the purchase of equipment necessary to manufacture critical supplies, logistics and shipping costs of procuring necessary equipment, technology upgrades and other costs…

(April 1, 2020 7:20 PM) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is requesting federal approval of flexibilities for the state’s Medicaid Program that are consistent with the commitment of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun to keep Michigan’s most vulnerable residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. MDHHS today is making the request to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to temporarily waive a number of Medicaid requirements. “Michiganders need to stay home and stay safe,” Whitmer said. “They also need easy access to healthcare coverage now more than ever. That’s why we need to suspend the red tape to make it easier for Medicaid beneficiaries to receive the services they need to stay healthy during this national crisis.” COVID-19 has the potential to cause serious and fatal complications for individuals with underlying medical conditions, meaning the state’s 2.5 million Medicaid beneficiaries are at an elevated risk. “These essential changes will ensure Medicaid beneficiaries have access to health care coverage, medicine and providers while also preventing potentially dangerous face-to-face interactions,” Khaldun said. Michigan is asking the federal government to allow its Medicaid program to:  Suspend the need for new prior authorization…

(April 1, 2020 4:57 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-33, which recognizes the expanded scope of economic, educational, and civic dislocation caused by the COVID-19, and equips the administration to address fully the devastation caused by virus. The order also formally declares a state of disaster. “Since Michigan announced our first confirmed cases of COVID-19 three weeks ago, we have taken some of the most aggressive measures in the country to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect Michigan families,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s action will allow my administration to respond more effectively to every facet of this crisis. During this time, it’s crucial that Michiganders continue to stay home and keep their distance from others. We will get through this together.” “The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan is still climbing, and we must continue to do everything we can to slow the spread,” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “The governor has taken a number of critical steps to protect Michigan families, and this order today will allow that work to continue. I will keep working closely with the governor and our partners across state government…