Michigan - Coronavirus COVID-19

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan Gov. Whitmer says ‘vast majority’ of people know her actions during pandemic have saved lives

'The vast majority of people get it in this state and support this'

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said during her Wednesday briefing that “the vast majority of people” know her actions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have helped save lives.

“I do not relish using any of these powers, but I will fight to save these powers for every successor who comes after me,” Whitmer said. “God forbid we ever have to go through something like this (again). As a resident of this state, I will want our governor to be able to do what they need to do to save lives, and that’s what we have done.”...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

14 schools report outbreaks of virus, state health department says

State health officials confirmed Thursday that 14 coronavirus outbreaks have been reported at schools this month in southern and eastern Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been gathering case counts in schools including K-12 sites and universities, spokeswoman Lynn Sutfin said in an email.

Through Aug. 6, “there were 14 outbreaks in this setting reported by local health departments,” she wrote...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Here’s which Michigan colleges will have in-person, online fall classes -- or both

A list of Michigan colleges, universities and how they’re adapting to the coronavirus pandemic this fall

Michigan is finally experiencing a significant decrease in the rate of growth of COVID-19 cases and deaths after months of dealing with the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic.

With the state cleared to begin reopening, many businesses and institutions are still trying to determine what “reopening” looks like -- especially schools...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan Court of Appeals rules Gov. Whitmer has authority to use emergency pandemic powers

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a Republican-led lawsuit challenging her authority during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Michigan Court of Appeals panel ruled 2-1 for Whitmer in the lawsuit, which challenged her emergency authority in the state’s handling of the pandemic...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

38 coronavirus cases linked to Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak linked to parties, and school officials are threatening to fine or suspend students if they host or attend large gatherings.

Students might even be asked to go home if the behavior continues, officials said...

"The actions of a few selfish students have ruined an entire year for thousands of their peers," he continued. "The same will happen here at CMU if students continue to engage in this type of reckless, irresponsible behavior."...

When DH and I were at our hair salon on Friday, we learned that the daughter of one of the stylists was moving into a sorority house (50 girls) at Michigan State University. She pledged the sorority as a freshman and wants to live in the sorority house this year. Evidently she had to sign a contract and has already paid the first month's rent ($1400). MSU has asked students to remain at home during the first semester as all classes will be virtual. Students who live off campus in apartments, sorority/frat houses, etc. probably went ahead with their plans to return to campus anyway. I don't see college kids staying at home, wearing masks, not partying, not going to bars, not gathering in large crowds. I was a college student once and know what it's like If the stylist visits her daughter on campus or the daughter comes home for a weekend, the other stylists said they will insist on their colleague being tested before coming to work.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan colleges cautiously welcome students back amid COVID-19

Mount Pleasant — Brooke Kleinsorge bid farewell to her northern Michigan home this month as she embarked on her next phase in life: earning a bachelor's degree at Central Michigan University.

But the freshman is beginning her college career amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented time in higher education with courses being offered at colleges across the state either online, in person or a combination of the two.

This year is different for her and thousands of students across Michigan who are going back to campus: wearing masks, keeping distance, cleaning classroom desks, signing compacts, leaving campus around Thanksgiving and more. It's all part of strategies aimed at keeping the higher education community safe...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Eastern Michigan delays dorm move-in, transitions first 3 weeks of classes to online format

Most classes to be online through Sept. 20

YPSILANTI, Mich. – Eastern Michigan University is delaying residence hall move-in and transitioning the first three weeks of most fall classes to an online format, officials said.

Students were scheduled to start moving into residence halls Thursday (Aug. 27), but move-in has been pushed back to Sept. 17...

I suspect that we will see more schools walking back their initial plans to reopen for in-person learning - from pre-K through college. In metro Detroit (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb counties), most school districts will start the academic year with virtual learning, but many private and parochial schools will offer in-person education starting this week or next. It will be interesting to see whether or not there's an uptick in COVID cases in the coming weeks.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michiganders Urged To Get Flu Shots Amid Fears Of 'Twindemic'

"If we have both of them circulating it could be really devastating"

(WWJ) With flu season fast approaching, it's time to get vaccinated to avoid what's being called a "twindemic."

The flu virus and the coronavirus will both be circulating around the U.S. this fall, health officials say, which is cause for concern.

"We don't want people to get ill with the flu an to overwhelm our hospital systems," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. "We already know that in a normal flu season our hospitals see a lot of patients with the flu, and if we have both of them circulating it could be really devastating."...

 

[ilovewings]

38 coronavirus cases linked to Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak linked to parties, and school officials are threatening to fine or suspend students if they host or attend large gatherings.

Students might even be asked to go home if the behavior continues, officials said...

"The actions of a few selfish students have ruined an entire year for thousands of their peers," he continued. "The same will happen here at CMU if students continue to engage in this type of reckless, irresponsible behavior."...

When DH and I were at our hair salon on Friday, we learned that the daughter of one of the stylists was moving into a sorority house (50 girls) at Michigan State University. She pledged the sorority as a freshman and wants to live in the sorority house this year. Evidently she had to sign a contract and has already paid the first month's rent ($1400). MSU has asked students to remain at home during the first semester as all classes will be virtual. Students who live off campus in apartments, sorority/frat houses, etc. probably went ahead with their plans to return to campus anyway. I don't see college kids staying at home, wearing masks, not partying, not going to bars, not gathering in large crowds. I was a college student once and know what it's like If the stylist visits her daughter on campus or the daughter comes home for a weekend, the other stylists said they will insist on their colleague being tested before coming to work.

That is kind of a scary scenario: a stylist with a daughter on campus where most of the youth are probably not paying much attention to restrictions. There are so many things we have no control over, like my traveling stylist ( i didn't go back for almost 3 weeks from when he returned from North Carolina). I think having their colleague tested before going to work would be a really good idea. I think here in Michigan the wait time for result is 3 days ----

 

[ilovewings]

Lawyer: Woman found alive at Detroit funeral home had been in body bag for 2 hours

Follow up to the story about the lady who was discovered alive at the Funeral Home. She was put in a body bag and remained in that bag for two hours. This is quite a tale.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan Gov. Whitmer ‘not going to be bullied’ into reopening businesses that are still closed

Whitmer says science will determine when COVID-19 rates are low enough to reopen businesses

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday that she’s “not going to be bullied” into reopening businesses that are still closed because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Whitmer was asked during her COVID-19 briefing whether she had an update for business owners who have been trying to reopen for months...

Nearly six months seems a long time for remaining closed businesses to still be shut down. By Labor Day weekend, everything should be reopened. If students are returning to school, surely these businesses should be allowed to reopen. Folks need to get back to work and resume their livelihoods. JMO

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

City of Ann Arbor issues emergency ordinance limiting gatherings, requires face masks

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – With more students headed back to Ann Arbor, an emergency ordinance has been put in place to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.

On Monday night, the Ann Arbor City Council unanimously passed the temporary emergency ordinance, which limits social gatherings and requires face coverings...

 

[ilovewings]

Michigan Gov. Whitmer ‘not going to be bullied’ into reopening businesses that are still closed

Whitmer says science will determine when COVID-19 rates are low enough to reopen businesses

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday that she’s “not going to be bullied” into reopening businesses that are still closed because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Whitmer was asked during her COVID-19 briefing whether she had an update for business owners who have been trying to reopen for months...

Nearly six months seems an adequate amount of time for remaining closed businesses to have been closed. By Labor Day weekend, everything should be reopened. If students are returning to school, surely these businesses should be allowed to reopen. JMO

I really like the way Governor Whitmer is handling issues involving the pandemic. There are lots of negative comments about her ( i.e she is like Hitler)-- but these are the same people who think the pandemic is "like the flu" or a "hoax"-- i believe she has saved lives. That said, i think she was a tad over the top early in the pandemic with some of her orders but overall i would rather have her than, let's say, Governor DeSantis in Florida who opened everything up and the cases went out of control.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Coronavirus spread in Michigan ‘slow, controlled,’ according to data

State maintains 'medium' risk level for COVID-19 outbreak, shows some improvements

 

[ilovewings]

Coronavirus spread in Michigan ‘slow, controlled,’ according to data

State maintains 'medium' risk level for COVID-19 outbreak, shows some improvements

Thanks for sharing this very important and good information

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

West Bloomfield among first public schools to bring students back

West Bloomfield — Thousands of young students will be meeting new teachers, finding new classrooms and learning the new COVID-19 rules on Thursday for the first day of in-person school in the West Bloomfield school district, after officials spent weeks preparing for students to return.

West Bloomfield Public Schools is among the first districts in Metro Detroit to call some of its students back to school for face-to-face instruction for the new school year amid the global pandemic.

The Oakland County district has limited its return of students to those in grades K-8. All must wear a mask to enter and exit a building and during class...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Shrine High School to offer remote learning in Emagine Royal Oak

Students will alternate between in-person, remote learning

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Shrine Catholic High School and Academy is finding a different way to offer remote learning with the help of Emagine Theater in Royal Oak.

Students will alternate in person and remote learning so that 50 percent of the student body will be in the building on any given day. The school reached out to Emagine Theater for a creative solution. Students on a remote learning day, who need a supervised environment, will be able to go to Royal Oak Emagine for the day...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

DPSCD, union agree to resume school with 20-students-per-class cap

Detroit — Detroit Public Schools Community District, the state's largest school district, and its teachers union have come to terms on the reopening of schools for face-to-face learning in the year ahead, the two sides announced Friday.

The 2020-21 school year will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8 — the day after Labor Day. DPSCD has some 51,000 students.

A four-page Letter of Agreement sets the terms for return, including a limit of 20 students per class, and could prevent the strike Detroit's teachers voted to authorize just last week...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

86% of Michigan school districts offering some in-person learning

According to a study by Michigan State University, 86% of Michigan school districts will offer some or all instruction in-person at the beginning of the school year.

The study, conducted by Michigan State University’s Education Policy Innovation Collaborative in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education, found 59% of Michigan school districts are offering students an option to return to school five days a week and 27% of districts are providing students with the ability to return to schools at least two to three days a week...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Police Department partnership seeks to educate social students

Ann Arbor canvassing teams focus on cooperation, education

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan students congregating in large groups or not wearing masks can expect to receive reminders about public health and safety.

The University of Michigan Student Life has launched its Michigan Ambassadors program, a student-centered initiative set on promoting healthy practices and guidelines about new policies and ordinances.

The canvassing ambassador teams act as a visible presence and consist of U-M students, student leaders, professional staff, community members and non-sworn community engagement officers from U-M’s Division of Public Safety and Security or the Ann Arbor Police Department...