Header

 (April 13, 2020 11:21 AM) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide  is a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address this pandemic. “USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities preparing for and impacted by COVID-19,” Perdue said. “This resource guide will help our rural leaders, whether they are in agriculture, education, health care or any other leadership capacity, understand what federal assistance is available for their communities during this unprecedented time.” USDA has taken many immediate actions to assist farmers, ranchers, producers, rural communities, and rural-based businesses and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on these actions, visit www.usda.gov/coronavirus. To download the guide, click here.

(April 3, 2020 7:13 AM) Henry Ford Health System will lead the first large-scale study in the United States of the effectiveness of an anti-malarial drug in preventing COVID-19 in healthcare workers and first responders who volunteer to participate. The study of hydroxychloroquine used prophylactically could begin as early as next week, after a plea to the federal government by Detroit Mayor Michael Duggan and Metro Detroit healthcare experts. “This is going to be the first major, definitive study in healthcare workers and first responders of hydroxychloroquine as a preventative medication,” said the study’s organizer, Henry Ford Health System’s Dr. William W. O’Neill, a world-renowned interventional cardiologist and researcher who has pioneered multiple treatments for heart disease. “There has been a lot of talk about this drug, but only a small, non-blinded study in Europe. We are going to change that in Metro Detroit and produce a scientific answer to the question: Does it work?” Participation in the study is strictly on a volunteer basis. Dr. Marcus Zervos, division head of Infectious Disease for Henry Ford Health System, will oversee this study with Dr. O’Neill. “We are glad to see Henry Ford’s lead on this volunteer study that could help protect medical…

(April 1, 2020 4:41 PM) The Michigan Department of Attorney General on Tuesday sent a letter to Menards following reports that the company’s stores have been engaging in business practices which might endanger the health of customers and employees during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including marketing and sales practices designed to increase customer presence in Menards stores.  The letter demands that Menards cease any and all activities that run contrary to the spirit and intent of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order. The Stay Home, Stay Safe order requires businesses to temporarily limit or suspend on-site operations to only those necessary to sustain or protect life. In turn, the number of workers on-site should be reduced to only those needed to perform those specific operations. Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a video on the subject.  “The current climate should not be viewed through the lens of business opportunism where dollars drive decisions over the good of the public’s health,” said Nessel.  “We have asked that Menards cease any and all practices that run contrary to the spirit and intent of the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Order, including marketing sales to draw large numbers of the general public…

(March 24, 2020 4:57 PM) With many hospitals throughout Michigan facing potential shortages of face masks and other essential medical supplies and personal protective equipment, Governor Gretchen Whitmer called upon Michiganders and businesses to donate items needed most by hospitals and medical providers.   “Our brave medical professionals and first-responders are on the front lines of keeping us safe, and we must do everything we can to protect them and every Michigander we can from the spread of COVID-19,” Governor Whitmer said. “Right now, medical professionals across the state are forced to reuse face masks. This increases the risk of spreading COVID-19 during a time when we should do everything we can to mitigate it. We’re not getting the tools we need from the federal government, so it’s on all of us to work together to protect each other. ”   “Our clinicians are working tirelessly to care for those affected by this pandemic,” said Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “They deserve to be able to do their jobs safely and these donations will help protect the health and safety of both providers and patients.”  Several Michigan businesses…

United Way of Jackson County, Jackson Community Foundation Partner on Fund (March 19, 2020 11:25 AM) United Way of Jackson County and the Jackson Community Foundation jointly launched a new fund to help the community deal with the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and the steps taken to slow the disease’s spread. “We’re deeply concerned over the impact of the novel coronavirus on our community, and especially how it’s affecting our most vulnerable residents,” said Ken Toll, President & CEO of United Way of Jackson County. “The new COVID-19 Response Fund will support broad-based efforts that lift up those who are disproportionately impacted,” he said. “We are so fortunate that our community has a network of leaders across the sectors of K-12 and post-secondary schools, businesses, nonprofits, government, and philanthropy.  We are all working together to coordinate an efficient, effective, and timely response to a rapidly changing situation,” said Monica Moser, President & CEO of the Jackson Community Foundation. As schools close and businesses curtail operations, even temporarily Jackson County residents who struggle financially face big challenges, said Toll. According to the latest ALICE Report, 42% of county households are either in poverty or Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—that is,…