Health

Personal Protective Equipment normally used in compressor manufacturing is displayed in the Safety Training Room at MACI.  JTV Photo. (March 28, 2020 4:08 PM) Local companies are helping to supply Henry Ford Allegiance Health and health care workers with necessary supplies during the COVID-19 crisis. MACI contacted Henry Ford Allegiance Health to offer anything new from their manufacturing supplies that fit their needs.  Purchasing and Production Control loaded two pickup trucks and available staff from Information Systems delivered the supplies to the hospital.  MACI was able to donate 4 pallets of protective gear that included safety glasses, rubber gloves, shoe covers, Tyvek sleeves, paper aprons, lint-free wipes and Nitrile gloves. In a statement, MACI said, “The selfless, courageous health-care professionals working around the clock at HFAH are our neighbors, relatives and family. We are grateful for all they are doing for us now. We are proud to be able to give them anything that will make them safer. We are happy for the chance to say ‘Thank You’ in a tangible way; it’s the least we can do for our community.” Technique, Inc., a Blackman Township manufacturer that normally does metal stampings, tubing and welding is switching operations in order…

(March 28, 2020 3:08 PM)  Michigan reported 993 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 4,650. The State of Michigan is reporting 19 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 111. The State of Michigan is reporting there are 20 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in Jackson County.  As of 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 28, Henry Ford Allegiance Health was treating 12 inpatients in their hospital who tested positive for COVID-19. Test results are pending on another 19 patients who are being treated as “persons under investigation,” and are being cared for on isolated units in the hospital to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 to other patients. As of this morning, two positive COVID-19 inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health have fully recovered and were discharged to return home, free of any symptoms or concern of spreading the illness to others. The state will now be reporting numbers daily at 3 PM.  The MDHHS will no longer provide a daily county breakdown, but will report a cumulative county by county total. 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…

As Michigan’s healthcare system faces tremendous strains due to the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are calling on medical professionals and everyday Michiganders to volunteer their talents and time to save lives. (March 28, 2020 12:25 PM) Today Gov. Whitmer and MDHHS launched a new volunteer website, www.michigan.gov/fightcovid19, where trained medical professionals can register to serve their fellow Michiganders by assisting hospitals in fighting COVID-19. Other state residents also can use the site to find out how they can help in their local communities, give blood, donate money or needed medical supplies, or assist public health officials in tracking infections. “We’ve seen an incredible amount of strength and courage of Michiganders during this time of uncertainty, whether it’s from communities donating food, money, and resources to those that need it or from businesses using their technology to manufacture personal protective equipment,” said Gov. Whitmer. “To bend the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our state, we must all work together as Michiganders. Whether you’re a medical professional looking to volunteer, or someone who can give blood or donate to your local food bank, everyone can help out…

(March 28, 2020 12:13 PM) Jackson College is partnering with Henry Ford Allegiance Health to provide temporary residence in their dormitories for health care workers. Two dorm towers on the campus of Jackson College will become “home away from home” for a number of Allegiance employees who are choosing to stay closer to the hospital campus to help care for the growing number of COVID-19 patients being treated in Jackson County. “With all colleges and universities across the country closing their campuses and moving to a completely online environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, we had available student residence space and saw a need we could help fill,” said Daniel Phelan, President and CEO of Jackson College. “The Henry Ford Allegiance Health team members are engaged in vital and heroic work, and we’re honored to provide them with nearby lodging in a secure environment, together with access to technology, food, and beverage to keep them sustained during this ordeal. We are pleased to join other community organizations in helping support Henry Ford Allegiance Health.” Nurses, physicians and other front-line health care workers are making national news for their heroic response to treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our team members could…

(March 28, 2020 11:19 AM) The Enterprise Group of Jackson announced this morning applications will start being accepted on Monday from Jackson County small businesses seeking state assistance as a result of COVID-19.  $20 million in emergency funding for small businesses was approved this week by the State of Michigan.  The money will go towards a loan fund and a grant program for businesses with less than 50 employees.  The Enterprise Group (EG) is administering the program. There are Small Business Relief Grants and Small Business Relief Loans; the EG provided a summary of both programs: Small Business Relief Grants and Loans The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is providing immediate relief to small businesses in Jackson County through the Small Business Relief Program, a funding initiative that will award grants and loans to eligible businesses. The Enterprise Group will partner with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Greater Ann Arbor Region to help small businesses apply for these funds. The Greater Ann Arbor region (GAAR) was allocated $900,000 from the $10 million MEDC grant fund and Jackson County businesses will be eligible for $142,000 of the GAAR distribution. The MEDC loan fund totals $10 million and will lend eligible borrowers…

(March 28, 2020 11:04 AM) Last night, President Trump approved Governor Whitmer’s request for a Major Disaster declaration in Michigan. The declaration means that Michigan is now eligible for participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programming to provide relief for Michiganders impacted by the COVID-19 virus and measures to slow the spread of the virus. While Michigan made a broad request for aid in every Individual Assistance and Public Assistance program from the Individual Assistance category, funding was approved for the Crisis Counseling Program and funding for Emergency Protective Measures from the Public Assistance Category was also approved.  “This is a good start, and it will help us protect Michiganders and slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer. “I’m hopeful that the president will review my request for individual assistance programs that would provide meals to families who need them and rental assistance and temporary housing for families. I look forward to the federal government’s continued partnership as we work to fight this virus.”  The Crisis Counseling Program is a direct-support program to provide services for those whose mental health has been impacted by the spread of COVID-19. The federal government also granted the governor’s request for…

(March 28, 2020 11:00 AM) American 1 Credit Union has announced that members of the credit union with loans will not have to make payments for three months.  American 1 says they have heard from so many members who have been laid off and are struggling to pay their bills right now. Martha Fuerstenau, President/CEO of American 1 told JTV, “This is the right thing to do for our members in this current financial climate where so many people are being laid off and struggling to pay bills. The purpose of American 1 is to create financial wellness for our communities, and that starts with our members.” All American 1 members who have an eligible loan and are no more than 29 days delinquent as of March 27, 2020, are not required to make a loan payment for three months. American 1 will defer these payments automatically and members do not need to do anything. This will move the skipped payments to the end of the loan and interest will continue to accrue during the deferral period. Due to this, the credit union encourages members to make regular payments if able. Eligible loans include auto, boat, RV, motorcycle, ATV, tractor,…

(March 28, 2020 10:19 AM) In anticipation of an expected surge of COVID-19 patients, Henry Ford Health System has taken several action steps system-wide to ensure the safety of patients and team members and sustain the coordination of care. Among them: The second-floor Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Suite at Henry Ford Medical Center-Fairlane in Dearborn has been converted into a 16-bed inpatient unit for non-COVID patients. It would also serve to accept non-COVID-19 patients from nearby Henry Ford Hospital. The outpatient facility has also opened a fast track triage process for non-COVID-19 patients in the ambulatory surgery suite. Henry Ford Hospital, the health system’s Level 1 trauma hospital, is currently caring for the most COVID-19 patients. As of this past Thursday, 194 patients were hospitalized. Several clinics at the hospital also have been relocated to other clinic sites in metro Detroit. Henry Ford Macomb Hospital has converted eight operating rooms in its first-floor ambulatory surgery center into intensive care beds. The Townsend Medical Center in Vandercook Lake (Jackson) has been converted to a walk-in respiratory clinic.  This clinic is specifically for patients with respiratory symptoms, such as new onset cough, shortness of breath, congestion or fever. Anyone entering the Townsend campus…

(March 27, 2020 5:38 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-26, which pushes all April 2020 state and city income tax filing deadlines in Michigan to July 2020, as a part of continued effortsToday to help Michiganders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective immediately, state of Michigan and city of Detroit income tax returns and payments due on April 15 are now due before midnight on July 15. Other state of Michigan cities with income taxes due on April 15 will now be due on July 15, while cities with income taxes due on April 30 will now be due on July 31.  The City of Jackson income tax filing deadline is April 30 and will now be July 31 by this executive order. “Michiganders shouldn’t have to worry about filing their income taxes in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Governor Whitmer. “This executive order provides immediate income tax assistance to people as they continue to stay home and stay safe during this crisis. I will continue working around the clock to help our families and businesses get through this time.” The new filing and payment deadlines come after the Internal Revenue Service changed its deadline to…

(March 27, 2020 4:29 PM) Congress gave final approval today on the record $2.2 trillion emergency relief package, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.    President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law this afternoon. Michigan 7th District U.S. House Representative Tim Walberg today voted in favor of passage. In a news release, Walberg shared his comments and this video of his remarks on the House floor. Click here to watch video. “These are incredibly trying times that have put people’s jobs, health, and livelihoods at risk. Swift action is needed to help communities in Michigan weather this crisis,” said Walberg. “The CARES Act is the third Coronavirus emergency relief bill and the most significant yet. It will provide direct cash payments to workers trying to make ends meet, assist small businesses struggling to stay afloat and keep people employed, and support hospitals and health care professionals in urgent need of medical equipment.” The CARES Act includes a number of provisions to help workers, small businesses, and health care professionals. Specifically, Walberg says the bill: Provides direct financial assistance to families in need, including $1,200 for individuals making less than $75,000 and $2,400 for couples making…