Michigan - Coronavirus COVID-19

[Yesiamapirate]

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...)

A local story re unemployment from a few days ago...to sum it up, not good.
Michigan unemployment benefits end soon for many, as COVID-19 surges

On a personal note, I was 'underemployed' due to furlough for 2 months, May and June. I was eligible for some benefits as were my coworkers. Our employer was cooperative and encouraged us to apply. I never saw a cent! It was a mixed bag among my coworkers. Some got their money and others like me are still in limbo. I cannot even add up the number of hours I spent trying to get what was owed to me. IMHO the system was overwhelmed and broken. I am fine. I have resources and have basically given up. What about those that are in limbo that do not have the cushion that I do???? Shameful. I have no words.

 

[MrX]

Especially in States where so much is closed. I can't believe Illinois is taking any better care of people. I expect a huge exodus from places with draconian closures - people may figure if they did it for Covid, they can do it for something else.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

FDA authorizes Pfizer’s COVID vaccine; Michigan will distribute in 4 phases (clickondetroit.com)

85,000 Pfizer vaccines slated for the state

On Friday, the United States granted an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

With the authorization, the vaccine will ship via FedEx and UPS, with the two carriers splitting the country in half. In Michigan, it will be UPS rolling out of Pfizer’s Portage cold farm with 85,000 vials slated for the state.

“I’m very excited about the vaccine distribution. It means that the end of the pandemic is near and we are working diligently with partners across the state to distribute COVID vaccines,” said Dr. Joneigh Khladun, Michigan chief medical executive...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Survey: Michigan voters favor Whitmer while many believe COVID threat is being downplayed (clickondetroit.com)

Detroit Regional Chamber releases results from statewide survey on pandemic, economy, government

Results from a survey of Michigan voters at the beginning of December suggest there are many residents in the state who are concerned the COVID-19 pandemic has been downplayed.

The survey also suggests strong support for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer -- 63.3% of Michigan voters believe Whitmer is aggressively working on getting the pandemic under control and protecting public health, according to the survey results.

The Detroit Regional Chamber (DRC) said it conducted this statewide survey of 600 registered Michigan voters between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4, 2020.

The DRC said in a news release Monday that “the poll results show remarkable stability in how seriously Michiganders are taking the virus and how concerned they remain about the economic consequences of prolonged shutdowns.”...

 

[Yesiamapirate]

From Detroit.

Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon dies from COVID-19

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Wayne Co. Sheriff Benny Napoleon dies after contracting COVID-19 (detroitnews.com)

The Sheriff's Office announced his death early Friday.

"Having conducted the heartbreaking task of lowering the flag at headquarters, it is with exteme sadness that we announce the passing of Sheriff Benny N. Napoleon," said spokeswoman Paula Bridges.

"Sheriff Napoleon was nationally recognized as an expert in law enforcement after more than 45 years of dedicated service. While he was tough on crime, he was beloved throughout the region for is compassion, faith and deep sense of community."

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy was among many officials paying their respects late Thursday night...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Live: Michigan extends indoor dining ban but allows casinos, cinemas, bowling alleys to reopen (detroitnews.com)

Lansing — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state officials are extending a ban on in-person dining at restaurants through Jan. 15, while reopening casinos, bowling alleys and stadiums as well as allowing for in-person learning at Michigan high schools.

The casinos, cinemas, bowling alleys and stadiums are allowed to reopen under limitations on Monday with restrictions, according to a Department of Health and Human Services document obtained by The Detroit News. Their capacity will be capped at 100 people, food and drink concessions must remain closed and social distancing must be observed...

The entire holiday season is a total washout for Michigan's restaurant industry. Shameful

Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venues (clickondetroit.com)

 

[Yesiamapirate]

Live: Michigan extends indoor dining ban but allows casinos, cinemas, bowling alleys to reopen (detroitnews.com)

Lansing — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state officials are extending a ban on in-person dining at restaurants through Jan. 15, while reopening casinos, bowling alleys and stadiums as well as allowing for in-person learning at Michigan high schools.

The casinos, cinemas, bowling alleys and stadiums are allowed to reopen under limitations on Monday with restrictions, according to a Department of Health and Human Services document obtained by The Detroit News. Their capacity will be capped at 100 people, food and drink concessions must remain closed and social distancing must be observed...

The entire holiday season is a total washout for Michigan's restaurant industry. Shameful

Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venues (clickondetroit.com)

I agree, BDE....shameful. And in my humble opinion, there is zero evidence that keeping restaurants closed makes any difference. I used to respect her but I am over that. She has abused her powers. I could really go on here but I am sure my post would violate TOS. Just suffice it to say that she is willing to sacrifice Michigan's restaurant industry for all of the wrong reasons. MOO

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I agree, BDE....shameful. And in my humble opinion, there is zero evidence that keeping restaurants closed makes any difference. I used to respect her but I am over that. She has abused her powers. I could really go on here but I am sure my post would violate TOS. Just suffice it to say that she is willing to sacrifice Michigan's restaurant industry for all of the wrong reasons. MOO

I agree, and if she runs again, GW will not get my vote. Seems she has a vendetta against the restaurant industry.

Your ears would be on fire if you heard my language after reading about this latest "pause"

 

[Yesiamapirate]

I agree, and if she runs again, GW will not get my vote. Seems she has a vendetta against the restaurant industry.

Your ears would be on fire if you heard my language after reading about this latest "pause"

I think I hear it from here, LOL
Really, I am literally ranting and raving. It was the last straw for me and her. Again, not to be political but I voted for her and now I regret it. She will not have my vote, either.
That all said, I am going to make a point to order take out at least once a week to help out our local restaurants. I know it cannot come close to replacing the revenue lost but, my business and my tip may keep one person employed one more day.
Goodness, I need a glass of wine.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I think I hear it from here, LOL
Really, I am literally ranting and raving. It was the last straw for me and her. Again, not to be political but I voted for her and now I regret it. She will not have my vote, either.
That all said, I am going to make a point to order take out at least once a week to help out our local restaurants. I know it cannot come close to replacing the revenue lost but, my business and my tip may keep one person employed one more day.
Goodness, I need a glass of wine.

I've already got one

We've been doing takeout at least once weekly since the beginning of the pandemic. Since we won't be able to go to Picano's (Troy) during the holidays, we'll order dinner-to-go even though it will need to be heated at home. Since the awesome Italian restaurant opened in 1985, we have always gone at least once during the holidays to see their beautiful decorations. We've dined there on New Year's Eve many times, as well, but that's not happening this year Tonight is takeout for this week: P.F. Chang's. Love their dim sum choices.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

I've already got one

We've been doing takeout at least once weekly since the beginning of the pandemic. Since we won't be able to go to Picano's (Troy) during the holidays, we'll order dinner-to-go even though it will need to be heated at home. Since the awesome Italian restaurant opened in 1985, we have always gone at least once during the holidays to see their beautiful decorations. We've dined there on New Year's Eve many times, as well, but that's not happening this year Tonight is takeout for this week: P.F. Chang's. Love their dim sum choices.

Visiting the various restaurants at Christmas was always a joy to us. We have a list of faves the always look so nice at this time.
Since our first year we met, 25 years ago, we went out on Christmas Eve. Our "Merry Little Christmas" before the craziness and joy of the Christmas Day family party. Our destination has been the Real Seafood Company in Ann Arbor. I call and reserve the table by the big glass 'garage' doors to sit and watch the city on Christmas Eve. The hustle and bustle of last minute shopping on Main Street. The streets all decorated.

PF Chang's sounds great. One of our faves as well.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan’s new COVID-19 order now in effect: Here’s what’s reopened and what’s still closed (clickondetroit.com)

Casinos, bowling alleys, movie theaters among venues allowed to reopen

Michigan’s new COVID-19 order is officially in effect, so here is what reopened Monday, as well as what remains closed.

The revised order is in effect through Jan. 15...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan high schools allowed to reopen today as part of revised COVID order (clickondetroit.com)

Current state order in effect until Jan. 15

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan high schools are allowed to resume in-person learning on Monday as a part of Michigan’s revised COVID-19 order issued before the holiday break in December.

On Dec. 18, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a revised version of the order, which will be in effect until Jan. 15...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan to distribute 3.5 million free KN95 masks: How to find them (clickondetroit.com)

‘Wearing the right kind of mask is important’

The state of Michigan will distribute 3.5 million KN95 face coverings at no cost to residents as part of the state’s masking campaign.

Free KN95 masks provided by MDHHS will be distributed by community organizations, including local MDHSS offices, health departments and Area Agency on Aging offices...

 

[MrX]

Michigan to distribute 3.5 million free KN95 masks: How to find them (clickondetroit.com)

‘Wearing the right kind of mask is important’

This is the type of thing that plays into the hands of "deniers." Everyone who refused to wear a mask now will say "see, I told you it didn't do anything."

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

DH and I both received emails from Beaumont Health this morning indicating that we are eligible for the Covid vaccine. Beaumont is the largest hospital group in Michigan, so there were likely thousands of email recipients who are now trying to access their current Beaumont charts or set up a Beaumont chart which is the only way to schedule an appointment for the vaccine. We want to discuss the vaccine with our respective primary care physicians before we set up appointments. We both have previously-scheduled appointments with our doctors at which time we will seek their advice on which vaccine would be best for each of us

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Beaumont Health website crashes due to demand for COVID-19 vaccines (detroitnews.com)

Beaumont website crashes 'due to overwhelming demand' for COVID-19 vaccines

Beaumont Health's online appointment system crashed Friday due to an overwhelming demand for COVID-19 vaccines, officials said.

The health system's myBeaumontChart appointment system is experiencing intermittent outages as a surge of patients flood the website for appointments.

The state's largest hospital system sent out invitations Thursday night following Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's announcement opening vaccinations to people age 65 and older starting next week...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Gov. Whitmer urges all schools to offer in-person option by March 1 (detroitnews.com)

Lansing — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration set a goal Friday of having all schools in the state offer an in-person learning option for students by March 1.

Whitmer announced new guidance for schools Friday as some districts have offered only online courses for nearly 10 months. The governor said she wanted schools to provide "as much face-to-face learning as possible."...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Beaumont triples server capacity after vaccine demand crashes system (detroitnews.com)

Beaumont Health has tripled its server capacity over the weekend after its website crashed Friday due to heavy demand for COVID-19 vaccines.

The health system will continue working on the system and plans to expand capacity even more, said Hans Keil, Beaumont’s chief information officer.

“I’m proud we more than tripled our capacity so quickly,” he said...