Posted by The Huron Hub | Aug. 27, 2021

Wayne County today issued a mask mandate for all schools.

Here is the press release from the county.

The Wayne County Public Health Department today issued a new order mandating local school districts, schools and daycare providers require students, faculty, staff and visitors to wear a face mask while in school and during school-sponsored indoor events. The order takes effect immediately. A copy of the order is attached to this release.

Specifically, today’s order directs schools and daycare providers to:

–Require indoor wearing of face masks for all pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students, regardless of their vaccine status; and,

–Require face masks be worn indoors by all teachers, administrative staff, other employees, parent/guardians, attendees, and volunteers.

Last week, Wayne County Public Health officials issued “strong recommendations” that all school districts implement a COVID-19 safety plan that includes a universal mask requirement. With today’s order, wearing a mask while indoors is now mandatory for all students, staff, employees and visitors at public, private and parochial educational settings, including daycare centers, throughout Wayne County.

Walk-in vaccinations are available to residents at Wayne County clinics for both initial shots and boosters. Appointments as well as arrangements for in-home booster for homebound residents can be made by calling 1-866-610-3885 or text “WAYNE VAX” to 48355.

For information about ways Wayne County residents can protect themselves against COVID-19 visit www.waynecounty.com/covid19.

Posted by The Huron Hub | June 22, 2021

Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist today announced the reopening of state to full capacity at Belle Isle in Detroit, while highlighting the administration’s Economic Jumpstart Plan focused on strengthening the economy and putting Michigan residents back to work.

Starting today, capacity in both indoor and outdoor settings will increase to 100% and the state will no longer require residents to wear a face mask.

Small businesses and other venues still can require mask usage.

“Today is a day that we have all been waiting for, as we can safely get back to normal day-to-day activities and move forward together,” said Governor Whitmer. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the medical experts and health professionals who stood on the frontlines to keep us all safe. And we are incredibly thankful to all of the essential workers who kept our state moving. Thanks to the millions of Michiganders who rolled up their sleeves to get the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine, we have been able to make these changes ahead of schedule. Our top priority going forward is taking full advantage of the billions in federal relief funding and our $3.5 billion surplus to jumpstart our economy. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure that Michigan’s families, small businesses, and communities emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever before.”

Present at the announcement in Detroit were representatives of Michigan’s small businesses.

“As a small business owner Covid 19 was devastating to my business, but with the help of the State of Michigan and Governor Whitmer, we were able to maintain and stay open,” said Tiffany Barber, owner of Tiffany’s Delicious Dogs LLC. “Tiffany’s Delicious Dogs was a City of Detroit vendor for 15 years, forced to change our business model to survive. With grants and training funded by the State of Michigan, to learn new business techniques we made it together and are thankful to our great Governor and the State of Michigan for the support to make it through the storm. We look forward to getting back to business in a safe environment guided by a great leader.”

Case rates, percent positivity and hospitalizations have all plummeted over the past several weeks, while vaccination rates continue to increase.

To date, 61.2% of Michiganders ages 16 and older receiving their first vaccine dose. As part of these efforts, Michigan is partnering with organizations across the state to create more opportunities for Michigan residents to receive a vaccine.

Posted by The Huron Hub | June 17, 2021

Governor Gretchen Whitmer today accelerated the end of all COVID-19 epidemic orders on gatherings and masking as COVID-19 cases continue to plummet following increased vaccinations. Beginning June 22, capacity in both indoor and outdoor settings will increase to 100% and the state will no longer require residents to wear a face mask.

“Today is a day that we have all been looking forward to, as we can safely get back to normal day-to-day activities and put this pandemic behind us,” said Governor Whitmer. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the medical experts and health professionals who stood on the front lines to keep us all safe. And we are incredibly thankful to all of the essential workers who kept our state moving. Thanks to the millions of Michiganders who rolled up their sleeves to get the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine, we have been able to make these changes ahead of schedule. Our top priority going forward is utilizing the federal relief funding in a smart, sustainable way as we put Michigan back to work and jumpstart our economy. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure that Michigan’s families, small businesses, and communities emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever before.”

Nearly five million Michiganders ages 16 and older have received their first vaccine dose, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, half of Michigan residents have completed their vaccination and over 60% have gotten their first shots.

Case rates, percent positivity and hospitalizations have all plummeted over the past several weeks. Currently, Michigan is experiencing 24.3 cases per million and has recorded a 1.9% positivity rate over the last seven days.  

“This is a great day, however, there is more work to be done,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “We can’t let our guard down as there continue to be several variants of the COVID-19 virus circulating in our state, including the concerning Delta variant. The COVID-19 vaccine is the most important tool we have to reduce the spread of the virus and I urge everyone ages 12 and up who has not yet received their vaccine to get it as soon as possible. Talk to your health care provider, your local health department or your neighborhood pharmacist about joining the millions of Michiganders who have received their vaccine.”

In addition to the Gatherings and Mask Order, additional orders are being rescinded as of June 22.These include: 

• Temporary Restrictions for Entry into Congregate Care and Juvenile Justice Facilities  

• Mandatory Testing for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Juvenile Justice Facility Staff  
• Mandatory Testing for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Hospitals and Centers Staff 
• Exceptions to Temporary Restrictions on Entry into Congregate Care and Juvenile Justice Facilities  
• Exceptions to Temporary Restrictions on Entry into Certain Facilities  
• Safe Housing for Housing Unstable Individuals 

• Handling of Bodily Remains  
• Safe Housing for Michigan Homeless​  

Additionally, some orders will remain in effect to protect vulnerable populations in corrections, long-term care and agriculture. Public health measures will continue for reporting requirements and COVID testing to make sure areas where community spread is high are identified, kids are safe in school and free COVID-19 tests are available. Guidance for keeping children and staff safe in schools will be released next week.  

MDHHS will continue to provide recommendations to keep Michiganders safe and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in higher risk settings and places where vulnerable populations or populations with large numbers of individuals are not yet fully vaccinated.

Posted by The Huron Hub—Thursday, May 20, 2021

Gov. Whitmer announced Thursday morning that on June 1, all outdoor COVID-19 capacity limits will be lifted.

Additionally, indoor capacity limits will be increased to 50%.

Whitmer said that when the CDC changed its guidance on mask wearing, state officials went back to the drawing board to change the MI Vacc to Normal plan.

On July 1, the mask mandate and gatherings order will be lifted and there will no longer be any broad mitigation measures during the pandemic, Whitmer said.

Currently, Michigan is at 56.8% of Michiganders, 4,600,119 people, with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s increased only 1.8% in the past 10 days.

Initially, the state had tied reopening to vaccination rates, with four different benchmarks.

It was going to take 70% of Michiganders vaccinated before the order was lifted. That changed with the CDC guidance.

“The vaccine is the best way to keep you and your family and the most vulnerable among us safe from COVID-19,” Whitmer said at a press conference on Thursday.