Health

Local artist Steve Berkemeier performs in his living room over Facebook Live on April 4 in Jackson.  Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV News. By Jeff Steers JTV News Local musician Steve Berkemeier was supposed to play a couple of musical sets at Veritas Jackson on Saturday night. That was before the COVID-19 pandemic closed down the upscale restaurant and a number of other entertainment venues in Jackson. But the longtime musician still played a 45-minute set – this time on Facebook Live through his Steve Berkemeier music page. It is the fourth such performance by Berkemeier who misses the feel playing live. A number of other Jackson area performers will provide entertainment on Monday from 7 to 10 p.m. livestreamed at the Blues at the Bohm Facebook page. Entertainments include Chris Canas, Patty PerShayla, Kristen Black, Loren Johnson, Mike “Albion Slim” Crupi, and Kevin Nichols. The event is scheduled to be a telethon/fundraiser according to a poster for the Albion theater. Berkemeier said the Facebook mini concerts are a way to keep in touch with the people normally at his shows. “It is a great way to keep in touch with those folks,” Berkemeier said. “Everyone is looking for something…

(April 4, 2020 6:53 PM) Target announced additional social distancing and safety measures go into effect today, including providing non-surgical face masks and gloves for team members to wear on the job, and monitoring—and metering when necessary—the number of people inside their stores nationwide. “We’re incredibly proud of the commitment our more than 350,000 frontline team members have demonstrated to ensure millions of guests can count on Target, and we’ll continue to focus our efforts on supporting them,” says John Mulligan, Target’s chief operating officer. “The measures we’re announcing today are aimed at ensuring we are creating a safe environment for the guests who continue to turn to Target, while also providing our team with additional resources as they fulfill an essential service in communities across the country.” In order for guests to have enough space to shop safely, starting today Target will actively monitor and, when needed, limit the total number of people inside based on the store’s specific square footage. If metering is needed, a team member will help guests into a designated waiting area outside with social distancing markers, while others will guide guests inside the store and keep things moving. Target says it’s another step to encourage social…

Updated to include today's HFAH report. (Updated April 4, 2020 3:35 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 81 positive cases (cumulative), and three deaths (cumulative). As of 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, there are 26 individuals with positive COVID-19 results who are inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. There are also 13 persons under investigation who are inpatient at HFAH. As of this morning, eight positive COVID-19 inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health have fully recovered and were discharged to return home. These numbers are posted each day by 12:00 Noon . These numbers do not reflect any cases identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  MDOC cases are included in the state report issued each day at 3 PM. Gender Number Percent Male 38 47% Female 43 53% Beginning April 2, 2020, the Age group will only be reported as a percentage of the total instead of the actual number.  Age - Years Percent 0 -19 1% 20 - 29 11% 30 - 39 17% 40 - 49 15% 50 - 59 24% 60 - 69 22% 70 -79 5% 80 4% Other 1%

(April 4, 2020 3:24 PM) Meijer announced today additional steps it is taking to make its stores safe for both shoppers and team members. In addition to amplifying its communication to customers about social distancing practices, Meijer is now asking its customers to limit the number of shoppers who come to the store on each trip. Following are the newest steps the retailer has taken to help make the stores as safe as possible:  Asking customers to limit the number of shoppers per trip, while understanding that some customers may need additional assistance. Implementing processes to monitor the number of customers in our stores. This includes managing the number of customers shopping to support proper social distancing practices. Conducting daily health screenings and temperature checks of team members as they arrive at the store. Completing installation of protective plexiglass shields at all check lanes and pharmacies in its 248 supercenters and stores. Adding signage and broadcast announcements inside the store educating customers about proper social distancing. Temporarily suspending the weekly sales ad beginning April 12 to decrease customer count inside the store. These new steps supplement the previous actions the retailer has implemented, which include:  Suspending the use of re-usable…

(April 4, 2020 3:12PM)  Michigan reported 1,841 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 14,225. The State of Michigan is reporting 61 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 540.    The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 81 positive cases (cumulative), and three deaths (cumulative). As of 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, there are 26 individuals with positive COVID-19 results who are inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. There are also 13 persons under investigation who are inpatient at HFAH. As of this morning, eight positive COVID-19 inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health have fully recovered and were discharged to return home. This information is updated daily at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.. Overall Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by County County Cases Reported Deaths Allegan 10   Antrim 4   Arenac 3   Barry 5   Bay 24   Berrien 56 1 Branch 10   Calhoun 34 1 Cass 6 1 Charlevoix 7   Cheboygan 7 1 Chippewa 1   Clare 1   Clinton 54 1 Crawford 1   Delta 5   Detroit City 3958…

(April 4, 2020 12:58 PM) The Catholic Diocese of Lansing has extended the suspension of all public services through April 30. In a statement released today, Jeremy Priest, Director, Office of Worship, said: “Based on the current circumstances and with a profound desire to protect the health and well-being of all, Bishop Boyea has discerned that the current suspension of all public Masses and the liturgical directives that he established on March 17, 2020 should remain in place through April 30, 2020. “While the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Holy Matrimony, and Funeral liturgies will continue as previously directed, the conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation will not take place until the suspension is lifted. Possible rescheduling scenarios are being considered. “These determinations were made based upon the most recent directives and guidelines from government officials and health care experts to extend the time period for social distancing in a continued effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The decision to prolong the suspension of public Masses was not made lightly, but out of a fervent desire to protect the health and well-being of clergy, religious, and laity, but especially the most vulnerable. “In this time of suffering and uncertainty, Bishop…

(April 4, 2020 12:48 PM) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today teamed up with the Detroit Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, and Tigers to release a call to action video encouraging nurses and doctors to bring their skills to Michigan as a way to volunteer and help bolster the number of health care professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “I am grateful for the health care professionals who are on the front lines of this pandemic every single day, but these brave men and women can’t do it alone,” Whitmer said. “That’s why we are asking nurses, doctors, and qualified health care professionals across the country to bring their expertise to our state to combat this virus. If we work together, we can slow the spread and save lives.”   Detroit’s professional sports teams joined forces to deliver a message to fans across the state:  “If you’re a health care professional anywhere in America, Michigan needs you. Detroit needs you.”  Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons  “We’re calling on doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other health care professionals to volunteer to sign up to help us fight COVID-19 and save lives.”  Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Detroit Lions  “All you have to do is visit www.Michigan.gov/FightCOVID19,…

(April 4, 2020 11:47 AM) Someone you live with is sick and you think it’s COVID-19. They need your help, but you don’t want to get sick too, or pass the virus to others. What can you do?   Michigan Medicine has compiled a set of ground rules and ways to care for a COVID-19 patient at home. If someone in your household is sick with COVID-19 symptoms, even if you don’t know for sure, assume they have coronavirus.  The lack of testing kits means you might never know for sure if your family member or roommate has coronavirus or something else. But if they’re running a fever, hacking away with a ‘dry’ cough, or feeling super tired for no apparent reason, it’s quite possible they do. Some less common but possible symptoms include diarrhea and suddenly losing their sense of smell or taste. First: Call their regular doctor’s office, if they have one, or your county health department to report the symptoms and ask if they can get tested. If they can, you should help them get to a testing location. But make sure they, and you, wear a mask or cloth over both mouth and nose when you’re taking…

(April 4, 2020 9:22 AM) Michigan’s U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced legislation that would make dependents 17 and older count toward what a family gets in direct payments from the bipartisan coronavirus relief package. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, an economic stimulus payment of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child will go to most taxpayers with incomes below $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers. The payments will phase out in value for a person making over $75,000.  No additional money is provided for dependents older than 16, and these dependents aren’t eligible to claim the payment for themselves on their own returns either.   “Last week, Congress came together and passed funding for workers, families, health care providers and small businesses during this coronavirus crisis. Most Michigan residents will be receiving direct payments, but the law left behind 17- and 18-year-olds, college students, and other dependent adults. This is unfair to these people as well as their parents and caregivers. This new bill will make sure taxpayers receive the $500 payment for all their dependents,” said Senator Stabenow. “Michiganders are going through incredible hardships during this pandemic. We need to work to ensure that families – including those with dependents – have more relief…

(April 4, 2020 9:11 AM) To help slow the spread of the coronavirus and in accordance with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order, the Department of Natural Resources continues to monitor visitation and adherence to social-distancing requirements at DNR-managed facilities. This means continually assessing needed adjustments to services and closures that best protect visitors, staff and the local communities.  A vast majority of state parks and recreation areas, state-managed trails and boating access sites remain open to provide local opportunities to get outdoors; however, all locations have modified services and/or closed amenities.   Recently, Tippy Dam Recreation Area in Manistee County was closed until further notice due to high numbers of visitors, improper social distancing and people traveling long distances to reach the park.  "Throughout the stay-at-home order, we’ve seen an influx of visitors at state parks, boating access sites and trails," said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. "In order to continue to keep state parks and trails open, we expect everyone to follow effective social distancing practices, to not litter and not travel long distances to enjoy the outdoors.  “If concerns continue to build, the DNR will have to look at…