Michigan - Coronavirus COVID-19

[ilovewings]

COVID-19 hospitalizations reach record high in Michigan – The Oakland Press

 

[ilovewings]

delete

 

[ilovewings]

10 new COVID school outbreaks reported in Oakland County; 32 cases confirmed – The Oakland Press

10 new School Outbreaks reported in Oakland County

 

[ilovewings]

10 new COVID school outbreaks reported in Oakland County; 32 cases confirmed – The Oakland Press

10 new School Outbreaks reported in Oakland County

 

[Yesiamapirate]

Gretchen Whitmer says Joe Biden vaccine mandate a 'problem'

I posted this in the main thread as well.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Brighton Schools strike down mask mandate (audacy.com)

BRIGHTON (WWJ) -- Metro Detroit is surging in COVID-19 cases and hospitals all over the state are reaching capacity, but students at Brighton Area Schools will not be required to mask up in the classroom.

The Brighton school board was considering a mask mandate to be implemented by the superintendent once the COVID-19 numbers increased, but during a meeting on Tuesday night, it was struck down after three hours of comments...

 

[MrX]

Brighton Schools strike down mask mandate (audacy.com)

BRIGHTON (WWJ) -- Metro Detroit is surging in COVID-19 cases and hospitals all over the state are reaching capacity, but students at Brighton Area Schools will not be required to mask up in the classroom.

The Brighton school board was considering a mask mandate to be implemented by the superintendent once the COVID-19 numbers increased, but during a meeting on Tuesday night, it was struck down after three hours of comments...

The problem with all of these mandates is that they seem like so much "wishful thinking." At this point people are either wearing masks or they aren't, so the mandate is only aimed at those that have decided against masking. And those people will only wear a mask if directly compelled. So between people who refuse, and those that will "pretend," and pull it down below their nose, how much do these mandates really do? Even in Nevada they are only enforced at table games in a casino, and those are the only places there is 100% compliance - it's not the "mandate" (which is being flaunted all over the casino,) it's the direct enforcement.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

First case of omicron identified in Michigan (detroitnews.com)

The first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was detected Thursday in a fully vaccinated Kent County resident more than a week after it was first reported in the United States on Dec. 1.

The west Michigan patient tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 3, and genomic sequencing confirmed it was the highly contagious omicron variant and was reported to the state on Thursday, according to a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services statement. Vaccine records indicate the Kent County adult was fully vaccinated but had not received a booster dose, according to the state health department's release.

Michigan became at least the 22nd state to report the variant. Omicron was named and designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organization on Nov. 26, about two weeks after it was first detected in Botswana and South Africa...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan COVID situation 'critical,' but restrictions not a focus, health officials say (detroitnews.com)

Lansing — Michigan's top public health officials described the surge in COVID-19 that continues to afflict the state as "deeply concerning" on Friday, but they indicated no new restrictions were coming to try to combat the numbers.

Elizabeth Hertel, the state's health director, and Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive, again urged residents to get vaccinated, obtain their booster shots and voluntarily wear masks. Their pleas came a day after Michigan reported its first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus and amid record numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

“The situation in our state is critical right now," Bagdasarian said. "Cases are surging. Hospitals are full. And we have a new variant."...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

8 Michigan COVID takeaways: Omicron, fourth surge, ‘deeply concerning direction’ (clickondetroit.com)

‘We’re in a critical stage right now,’ Michigan’s chief medical executive says

LANSING, Mich. – Officials provided an update on Michigan’s COVID-19 situation Friday after the first case of the omicron variant was identified in the state.

Elizabeth Hertel, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as well as MDHHS chief medical executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, spoke during the briefing.

They were joined by Dr. Michael Tsimis, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine physician with Spectrum Health, and Dr. Paolo Marciano, MD, PhD, the chief medical officer for Beaumont Hospital in Dearborn...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

6 takeaways: Henry Ford Health officials say Michigan’s current COVID ‘crisis’ worse than a year ago (clickondetroit.com)

‘We are in a crisis. There’s no way around it. There’s no way to sugarcoat it.’

DETROIT – Officials from Henry Ford Health System provided an update Wednesday on the state of COVID in Michigan, saying the current situation is a “crisis” and worse than a year ago.

“Unfortunately, today, we are in as bad of a situation -- in fact, worse -- than we were a year ago, with respect to our numbers within the hospitals and across the hospitals in this state and in other states,” said Dr. Adnan Munkarah, executive vice president and CCO of Henry Ford Health System.

“The unfortunate reality right now is no matter which hospital you’re talking to, no matter what health system you’re talking to, the word that you’re going to hear about current conditions in the state of Michigan is ‘crisis,’” said Bob Riney, president of health care operations and COO at Henry Ford...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Detroit school district issues vaccine mandate for teachers, staff (detroitnews.com)

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is requiring vaccinations against COVID-19 for all teachers and staff by February.

The district's board of education approved the mandate during a special board meeting Thursday.

According to district documents, "all employees (including new hires) must be fully vaccinated as a term and condition of employment by February 18, 2022. However, if employees request and are granted a medical or religious exemption from the vaccine mandate ... such employees must provide proof of regular testing for COVID-19 and wear face coverings."...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Michigan State University will require COVID-19 booster shots (detroitnews.com)

Michigan State University is expanding its vaccine mandate and will require all students, faculty and staff to receive a COVID-19 booster starting in the spring semester, President Samuel L. Stanley said in an email to the campus community on Friday.

"All members of our campus community who were fully vaccinated either with a two-dose regimen more than six months ago or a one-dose regimen more than two months ago are now eligible for a booster and should immediately receive one," Stanley's email read. "Those individuals who are still within the six- or two-month windows (depending on vaccine type) should make plans to receive a booster as soon as they are eligible."...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

University of Michigan: COVID-19 booster required for students, faculty, staff (clickondetroit.com)

School says the omicron variant has been detected on campus

ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan announced on Friday it is now requiring all students, faculty and staff to receive a COVID booster shot as part of new mitigation efforts to reduce transmission during the upcoming term.

The new requirement spans all three U-M campuses and school community members are required to get a booster by Feb. 4 or as soon as they become eligible based on their vaccination status.

School officials also announced that the omicron variant of the virus has been detected on its Ann Arbor campus and said they are working with the Washtenaw County Health Department to establish new prevention strategies...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Oakland University to begin Winter 2022 semester courses online (clickondetroit.com)

‘All campus community members are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated against the COVID-19′

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland University announced Tuesday classes for the Winter 2022 semester will begin online Jan. 5 following the university’s holiday break due to concerns about spreading the coronavirus.

The university said classes will return to their previously scheduled delivery formats on Tuesday, Jan. 18, “barring a further need to respond to pandemic conditions.”

Some Winter 2022 courses -- such as labs, lab-based research and field experiences -- may meet in person starting on Jan. 5. Students enrolled in such courses should contact their instructors for additional direction, the university said...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

11 takeaways from Whitmer’s first COVID briefing since June: Mandates, omicron, ‘critical point’ (clickondetroit.com)

Critical care specialist shares perspective

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a COVID briefing Tuesday for the first time since June, answering questions about whether this surge warrants new mandates and delivering specific messages for both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents.

“We’re in for another tough 4-6 weeks, is what all the experts are projecting, with the omicron variant spreading rapidly across the country,” Whitmer said.

Whitmer spoke from the Hispanic Center in Grand Rapids. She was joined by Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

University of Michigan to resume in-person classes Jan. 5, with added precautions (clickondetroit.com)

Officials continue to monitor spread of omicron, delta variants

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan will resume in-person classes starting Jan. 5, with additional COVID safety precautions in place.

“We are prioritizing student learning, the pedagogical needs of our academic programs and the enriching classroom interactions that can’t be fully replicated remotely,” U of M President Mark Schlissel said in an email.

The message said Michigan’s plan to resume in-person classes was based, in part, due to high vaccination levels and mask compliance during the fall semester.

University officials said they’ll keep monitoring the spread of the omicron and delta variants...

 

[Sundog]

University of Michigan to resume in-person classes Jan. 5, with added precautions (clickondetroit.com)

Officials continue to monitor spread of omicron, delta variants

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan will resume in-person classes starting Jan. 5, with additional COVID safety precautions in place.

“We are prioritizing student learning, the pedagogical needs of our academic programs and the enriching classroom interactions that can’t be fully replicated remotely,” U of M President Mark Schlissel said in an email.

The message said Michigan’s plan to resume in-person classes was based, in part, due to high vaccination levels and mask compliance during the fall semester.

University officials said they’ll keep monitoring the spread of the omicron and delta variants...

Not to mention that they need the money. The majority of students and their parents have made it clear that if classes go remote again, they won't pay tuition for that kind of education. So to survive the possibility of low enrollments and reduced revenue from tuition, residence halls, dining services, etc., then most universities in the country will do everything they can to resume classes in January after the winter break. If they can keep the positivity rate low, good for them. I worry about our university when classes resume in January, as students return from their holidays off campus. I wonder if universities will start requiring the booster shots for students, faculty, and staff. Our university has surveillance testing every week, about 4,500 antigen tests per week randomly given to students, faculty and staff, including those who have been given vaccine exemptions. I suspect we'll be taking things one week at a time during the month of January.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Central Michigan University to require COVID booster shots for on-campus community (clickondetroit.com)

Booster shots required by Jan. 17

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Students and staff on campus at Central Michigan University (CMU) will be required to get their COVID-19 booster shot by mid-January, the school reported Wednesday.

CMU community members will be required to get a COVID booster shot by Jan. 17 in order to be considered “fully vaccinated,” according to the campus news organization. Students, staff and faculty who do not receive a booster vaccine will reportedly have to get tested weekly for the virus...

 

[MrX]

Not to mention that they need the money. The majority of students and their parents have made it clear that if classes go remote again, they won't pay tuition for that kind of education. So to survive the possibility of low enrollments and reduced revenue from tuition, residence halls, dining services, etc., then most universities in the country will do everything they can to resume classes in January after the winter break. If they can keep the positivity rate low, good for them. I worry about our university when classes resume in January, as students return from their holidays off campus. I wonder if universities will start requiring the booster shots for students, faculty, and staff. Our university has surveillance testing every week, about 4,500 antigen tests per week randomly given to students, faculty and staff, including those who have been given vaccine exemptions. I suspect we'll be taking things one week at a time during the month of January.

It will be interesting to see if this affects enrollment, around the country, if parents and students start looking at schools in States where closures and restrictions are less prevalent. Of course out-of-State tuition will be a barrier. I assume this type of thing already plays into the decisions of student athletes. As an athlete or parent I would be extremely hesitant to commit to a school in a conference that was quick to pull the plug, last season. Things like that tend to become institutionalized to where, next time, they find it easier to react the same way to a different threat.