Michigan - Coronavirus COVID-19

[MrX]

Andiamo owner writes letter urging Michigan restaurants to defy shutdown orders, reopen (clickondetroit.com)

‘We need to band together and fight this closure.’

The owner of Andiamo wrote a letter to Michigan restaurants urging them to defy Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state health department’s COVID-19 shutdown orders and reopen.

Joe Vicari called on fellow restauranteurs to join Andiamo in reopening Dec. 9 if Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services extend the current three-week “pause.”...

Thank you for following this, and please keep us posted. It looks like the court challenges failed, so it is up to the restaurants to resist. Thankfully our Governor (Ducey) seems determined to keep all restaurants open.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

^ Governor Whitmer will be speaking at the same time that the restaurant meeting takes place in Warren. I just heard a report on WWJ radio indicating that Joe Vicari expects about 100 Michigan restaurant owners who represent 150 restaurants to attend the meeting. After this morning's ruling on the lawsuit that sought to reopen Michigan restaurants immediately, it's doubtful that Mr. Vicari's efforts will prevail. It seems likely that the Governor will extend the current 3-week pause beyond December 8. Very unfortunate for Michigan's economy and bar/restaurant owners Whitmer will not get a second term as Governor. JMO

I totally agree. And it is of my personal opinion that she open the restaurants. I appreciate her efforts but I don’t agree with the move to close them.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I totally agree. And it is of my personal opinion that she open the restaurants. I appreciate her efforts but I don’t agree with the move to close them.

I want to see the "data" upon which the decision was based to impose the 3-week pause for bar/restaurants closures. I'm sure there might have been a few venues that did not adhere to the suggested protocols, but there is nowhere that DH and I dined that put anyone at risk. We went to Joe Muer's (Bloomfield Hills) for our anniversary in June. We were required to wear masks when we entered the vestibule, our temperatures were taken immediately inside the restaurant, and there was no one seated anywhere near us during our 2-hour dinner. No temperatures taken, but the same protocols were in place at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (Troy) where we celebrated DH's birthday in October. We've been to our favorite restaurant (Picano's, Troy) three times during the pandemic and always felt comfortable with their strict protocols. It's truly a shame that these restaurants have had to close despite their exemplary efforts to comply with the rules set forth by state health department. It saddens me to think about lost revenue for these fine dining establishments, not to mention the lost wages of the employees who have been unable to work. Extending the 3-week pause would be devastating, and I hope Governor Whitmer does some major soul searching before she makes the decision. JMO

 

[MrX]

I want to see the "data" upon which the decision was based to impose the 3-week pause for bar/restaurants closures. I'm sure there might have been a few venues that did not adhere to the suggested protocols, but there is nowhere that DH and I dined that put anyone at risk. We went to Joe Muer's (Bloomfield Hills) for our anniversary in June. We were required to wear masks when we entered the vestibule, our temperatures were taken immediately inside the restaurant, and there was no one seated anywhere near us during our 2-hour dinner. No temperatures taken, but the same protocols were in place at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (Troy) where we celebrated DH's birthday in October. We've been to our favorite restaurant (Picano's, Troy) three times during the pandemic and always felt comfortable with their strict protocols. It's truly a shame that these restaurants have had to close despite their exemplary efforts to comply with the rules set forth by state health department. It saddens me to think about lost revenue for these fine dining establishments, not to mention the lost wages of the employees who have been unable to work. Extending the 3-week pause would be devastating, and I hope Governor Whitmer does some major soul searching before she makes the decision. JMO

The problem is that they don't use "data" to make these decisions. Closures are only as effective as the consequences for non-compliance. This is why "bars" were the first (and, in some places, only) targets. If restaurants require licenses to operate, they will be targeted for closure, as well. The part that I still can't wrap my head around is why some Governors feel the need to do "something" - even if those measures do more harm than good. Governor Ducey faced a withering grilling from the reporters at his briefing, yesterday, but insisted that he will not shut down an entire industry just because of a few "bad actors."

What will Governor Whitmer say to restaurant owners who watch their customers drive across the border to Indiana to dine?

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Here are the top 6 types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaksMichigan (clickondetroit.com)

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says long-term care facilities are top category are identified outbreaks

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s top health official revealed the top six types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaks in the state during Thursday’s briefing...

Here are the top six categories for identified outbreaks in Michigan, according to Khaldun:

1. Long-term care facilities
2. K-12 schools
3. Manufacturing
4. Health care
5. Office settings
6. Restaurants and bars

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Shirkey wants Whitmer to provide reopening metrics for restaurants (detroitnews.com)

Lansing — Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey is demanding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer release the metrics with which restaurants must comply to reopen as a three-week ban on in-person dining is set to end next week.

Shirkey, R-Clarklake, said Whitmer should issue the metrics restaurants must meet for their reopening after the expiration of the order next Wednesday to give owners "adequate time to ready their establishments."

Whitmer said Thursday an extension of the three-week "pause" was "sadly possible" because of the volume of COVID-19 cases in Michigan. She said case rates and hospitalization rates may be a factor in the decision...

 

[MrX]

Here are the top 6 types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaksMichigan (clickondetroit.com)

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says long-term care facilities are top category are identified outbreaks

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s top health official revealed the top six types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaks in the state during Thursday’s briefing...

Here are the top six categories for identified outbreaks in Michigan, according to Khaldun:

1. 
   
   
   • Long-term care facilities
   • K-12 schools
   • Manufacturing
   • Health care
   • Office settings
   • Restaurants and bars

I wonder if anyone has asked Dr Khaldun about the thoroughness and accuracy of the source of this data. Those of us who have been following the pandemic, from the start, know that a big problem in the U.S. was the lack of infrastructure for, and the public's willingness to participate in, contact tracing.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan hospitals urge state to extend COVID restrictions ’to see meaningful change’ (clickondetroit.com)

3 data points that show Michigan’s 3-week pause is likely to be extended (clickondetroit.com)

No big surprise. Enough, already!

 

[Yesiamapirate]

Michigan hospitals urge state to extend COVID restrictions ’to see meaningful change’ (clickondetroit.com)

3 data points that show Michigan’s 3-week pause is likely to be extended (clickondetroit.com)

No big surprise. Enough, already!

I agree. I take Covid very seriously. But it is time for the governor to open restaurants up. I need to take a look at per capita cases and deaths in states that are more open vs Michigan. Last time I looked, I was a little puzzled. I will leave it at that. Since I supply no links this will be my opinion. I appreciate anyone that can crunch some numbers for me.

 

[amandab]

Here are the top 6 types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaksMichigan (clickondetroit.com)

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says long-term care facilities are top category are identified outbreaks

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s top health official revealed the top six types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaks in the state during Thursday’s briefing...

Here are the top six categories for identified outbreaks in Michigan, according to Khaldun:

1. 
   
   
   • Long-term care facilities
   • K-12 schools
   • Manufacturing
   • Health care
   • Office settings
   • Restaurants and bars

Interesting. Makes me wonder why all of the schools haven't been shifted to online learning only, yet.

 

[amandab]

I wonder if anyone has asked Dr Khaldun about the thoroughness and accuracy of the source of this data. Those of us who have been following the pandemic, from the start, know that a big problem in the U.S. was the lack of infrastructure for, and the public's willingness to participate in, contact tracing.

It's funny - I tested positive 3 weeks ago now, and I have yet to hear from the MDHHS or *anyone* for that matter as far as contract tracing is concerned. I'd gladly give them my info, but I get the impression they're stretched thin or.....something.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I agree. I take Covid very seriously. But it is time for the governor to open restaurants up. I need to take a look at per capita cases and deaths in states that are more open vs Michigan. Last time I looked, I was a little puzzled. I will leave it at that. Since I supply no links this will be my opinion. I appreciate anyone that can crunch some numbers for me.

Another "pause" will completely wipe out the holiday season for restaurants Even if they had to operate at decreased capacity, it would be better than not opening at all during the last few weeks of the year. The hospitality industry in Michigan has been devastated by these closures.

I am also puzzled by what seem to be arbitrary decisions about what businesses can be open and which cannot. For example, group exercise is not permitted in gyms, but dance and martial arts studios are open for group instruction. I suppose the argument here might be that these facilities tend to cater to young people, but K-12 schools are among the categories where there have been identified outbreaks. If these youngsters aren't in school due to Covid, why are they allowed to attend dance and/or martial arts classes?

I also find it strange that students who attend private/parochial schools (several children/teens in my neighborhood) started school on time in late August/early September and have been in school steadily. Why are so many public schools closed while private and parochial schools remain open? Are private and parochial school students immune to Covid? I realize that the Governor cannot control what these private schools do, but there are some things about the decisions being made with regard to what is open and what is closed that just don't make sense to me Our local school district was strictly remote instruction for the first 10 weeks of the school year. They finally started in-person instruction that lasted barely three weeks. The district website lists the # of cases in each building, and there was not an "outbreak" that warranted closing the entire district. I really don't understand the wisdom of shutting down the entire district for a handful of cases. JMO

 

[Only4Justice]

The governor just extended the order for 12 more days. @BetteDavisEyes this will most likely kill any chances of the restaurant industry surviving

I have 3 BFFs - I have known all 3 forever. 2 are nurses in remote area of MI and both now have COVID. The third is in AZ and thinks the virus is a hoax. I have to bite my tongue when talking to her (which I do every day). I don't want to lose her 40 year plus friendship over this.....

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

The governor just extended the order for 12 more days. @BetteDavisEyes this will most likely kill any chances of the restaurant industry surviving

I have 3 BFFs - I have known all 3 forever. 2 are nurses in remote area of MI and both now have COVID. The third is in AZ and thinks the virus is a hoax. I have to bite my tongue when talking to her (which I do every day). I don't want to lose her 40 year plus friendship over this.....

Thanks for the update. I was watching a movie and didn't see the Governor's presser. Big mistake, IMO.

Michigan extends COVID-19 restrictions for 12 days to gauge Thanksgiving impact (clickondetroit.com)

Whitmer extends COVID-19 pause through Dec. 20 (detroitnews.com)

 

[Yesiamapirate]

Thanks for the update. I was watching a movie and didn't see the Governor's presser. Big mistake, IMO.

Michigan extends COVID-19 restrictions for 12 days to gauge Thanksgiving impact (clickondetroit.com)

Whitmer extends COVID-19 pause through Dec. 20 (detroitnews.com)

I am working right now so I can’t say more and it’s probably for the better. I am so disappointed.

 

[MrX]

I agree. I take Covid very seriously. But it is time for the governor to open restaurants up. I need to take a look at per capita cases and deaths in states that are more open vs Michigan. Last time I looked, I was a little puzzled. I will leave it at that. Since I supply no links this will be my opinion. I appreciate anyone that can crunch some numbers for me.

https://covidtracking.com/data

It's a bit of a pain, but you can compare your state to others at the above link. And you are correct - the numbers seem to fluctuate on their own, regardless of how much is closed. Only confining people to their homes appears to have any effect. Arizona was praised, over the summer, for how we lowered our cases. The joke was that it was credited to closing bars and reducing restaurant capacity to 50%. What was never reported was that restaurant capacity was already at 50% (since May) and restaurant bars were open. I sat and watched regulars from closed corner taverns pack bars at restaurants. But it is what it is - certain Governors feel the need to look like they are doing "something." (Phoenix will be glad to welcome any restaurateurs and musicians who are being forced out of Michigan!)

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

‘Science is settled’: Michigan health officials defend keeping dine-in service closed in restaurants (clickondetroit.com)

...The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association released a statement on Monday, saying:

“We aren’t surprised by the governor’s decision to extend Director Gordon’s MDHHS Order today, but we remain exceptionally disappointed. We firmly believe there is a better approach – one followed by 45 other states – that doesn’t use blunt force closure of a single industry to resolve a shared crisis. We maintain that a more nuanced approach that allows for limited indoor capacity with a curfew will result in greater compliance, better health outcomes and substantially reduced economic fallout.

Upon completion of this most recent Order, restaurant dining rooms will have been closed for 118 days, nearly one-third of the calendar year. We already know the impact of another extended shutdown will be significant, as the industry lost over $8 billion in sales and laid off more than 75 percent of its workforce when it was shuttered for an extended period in the spring.

The restaurant industry is comprised of creative and resilient individuals, but for a growing number of them, this latest pause is the cause of their lost livelihood and well-being.”...

 

[MrX]

What is the unemployment insurance situation like there? Last week our DES announced that they had overpaid 22 million dollars over the past seven months and want the money back. This has totally changed the focus of some reporters - those that were clamoring for more shut downs are now reporting how people getting less than $200/wk are living in their cars.

In the meantime the Governor has allowed expanded outdoor dining, which finally makes sense, considering the weather. (Hard to do when it's 115 degrees in the shade...)

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I am working right now so I can’t say more and it’s probably for the better. I am so disappointed.

Oh, come on

 

[Yesiamapirate]

Oh, come on

And as I figured it would be, the UM vs OSU game was cancelled.
Michigan football cancels Ohio State game as COVID-19 cases increase

And back to the restaurants ...... Seriously, I have typed my reply here 4 times. I need to keep it within the TOS. The angry face says it all.
I have been trying to look at this with compassion, realizing that so many lives have been lost. And here I am , worrying about eating out.

But BDE, its more than that. What are these restaurant owners and staff supposed to do? Can you even imagine your income just going poof? They have been on life support for months now. There is no magic bank account that is full of 9 months of living expenses. From the owners down to the servers, exactly how do they eat? Eviction notices will be right around the corner if some help from the govt. does not arrive soon. I am the last person in the world that supports 'handouts' but my goodness...these were hardworking, successful people that literally have had it taken away. Big brother comes in in locks their doors. Without giving them a chance to prove they can operate safely. Or at least without hard numbers that they were even the cause. This subject is such a grey are in terms of being 'political' here. But trust me, I am not a denier of this virus. I support masks everywhere. I agree with most of what Fauci says. I also believe the political divide in this country hurt us terribly in the beginning and continues to do so. It seems it is all or nothing. And the respective party's governor's ( both democratic and republican) are hitching their horses to a party instead of using logic and common sense in both directions.

I just don't believe in the government ( or its health department) being able to come in and do this. Never did I think in this country this would happen. Of course, I never imagined a pandemic but I digress.

Anyways....there you have it. Another Covid rant. I welcome your thoughts.