MDHHS extends epidemic order 12 days

MDHHS extends epidemic order 12 days

by | Dec 7, 2020 | Regional News

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 7, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

MDHHS extends epidemic order 12 days to ensure COVID-19 surge is stabilizing

Indoor and outdoor gatherings to remain limited, department to closely monitor hospital beds with COVID patients, rate of case growth, positivity rate prior to re-engagement 

 

LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has extended by 12 days the epidemic order that restricts indoor social gatherings and other group activities. The additional 12 days will allow the department to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan. Governor Whitmer discussed the department’s action today at a press conference with Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun and DHHS Director Robert Gordon.

 

To view the PowerPoint presentation used at the press conference today, click the link below:

 

 

To view photos from today’s press conference, click the link below:

 

 

G

 

DR. J

 

RG

 
MDHHS Updates Guidance on COVID-19 Quarantine

MDHHS Updates Guidance on COVID-19 Quarantine

by | Dec 7, 2020 | Regional News

MDHHS Updates Guidance on COVID-19 Quarantine Period Based on New CDC Findings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2020
Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has updated guidance on COVID-19 quarantine periods based on scientific findings released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The CDC presented findings describing options to reduce the required number of quarantine days for individuals with known exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case. The existing 14-day recommendation was based on earlier data that estimated the COVID-19 incubation period. At the national level, estimates of the COVID-19 incubation period have been refined based on a review of case data for hundreds of thousands of cases.

Data from that assessment indicates that 99% of all infections will develop within 10 days of exposure. While a 14-day quarantine period is still standard, under certain conditions the CDC has presented an option for reducing the quarantine period for exposed individuals to 10 days after exposure.

Based on the evaluation of the CDC information, MDHHS is updating guidance to allow modifications to the quarantine period for Michigan residents in specific situations. While the standard 14-day quarantine period remains, it can be reduced to 10 days if the following two conditions exist:

  • The individual does not develop any symptoms or clinical evidence of COVID-19 infection during daily symptom monitoring for the 10 days after the last exposure.
  • Daily symptom monitoring continues through day 14 after the last exposure.

“We are basing this recommendation on scientific data from CDC and offering the opportunity to reduce the quarantine period to 10 days in certain circumstances,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Public health officials can still require the 14-day period as this option most greatly mitigates the possibility of transmission. We strongly urge the continued use of masks, social distancing and hand washing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

With consideration for existing and potential limitations on the availability of testing resources and concerns of increased turnaround time for lab results, MDHHS is currently reviewing options for further reduction of quarantine periods based on diagnostic testing results. MDHHS guidance may be updated at a later date based on that review.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

MDOT: Planning to clear snow from roads during a pandemic

MDOT: Planning to clear snow from roads during a pandemic

by | Dec 7, 2020 | Transportation

Planning to clear snow from roads during a pandemic

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/6696121-planning-to-clear-snow-from-roads-during-a-pandemic 

On this week’s edition of Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a discussion about how the pandemic could affect snowplowing. Gregg Brunner, director of MDOT’s Bureau of Field Services, talks about contingency planning for battling winter during a pandemic.

TMT winter maintenance

An Oct. 26 MDOT news release explained that the goal of MDOT and its partner agencies remains clearing highways to bare pavement as quickly as possible after a winter storm. If MDOT or local contract agencies are temporarily affected by COVID-19 infections or associated quarantines, it may take longer to reach this goal.

Gregg Brunner

Brunner talks about innovations in clearing snow and ice along with practices adopted by MDOT where winter maintenance officials are always looking for ways to stretch taxpayer dollars by making salt go further, which also provides environmental benefits. To that end, MDOT is working with the Montcalm County Road Commission to pilot the use of a brine mixture on one state route this winter.

Also, the Michigan House Transportation Committee reported a bill this week that would require MDOT to pilot a program on using organic additives to control ice and snow on roads. SB 379 would require MDOT to work with at least one road agency to look at substances, like sugar beet molasses, and submit a report on its findings no later than June 30, 2025. The results of the program would look at cost and environmental impacts, as well as develop best practices. The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

A perennial question during winter storms is why more salt is not being used. Brunner explains how temperatures determine when salt is used and when it loses effectiveness.

Listen now at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205.

Stay connected by subscribing to Talking Michigan Transportation e-mail updates

Small Business Administration Relief for Businesses Impacted by Cold Weather 

by | Dec 7, 2020 | Regional News

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Announces U.S. Small Business Administration Relief for Eligible Businesses Impacted by Cold Weather

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million available to eligible small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits impacted by frost and freeze that occurred in May of this year. SBA extended the loans following the Secretarial Disaster Declaration obtained by Governor Whitmer from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue in September.

 

These loans are available in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego and Wexford counties.

 

“This is good news for our small businesses and farmers who have routinely faced extreme weather conditions in our state,” said Governor Whitmer. “I’m glad the federal government has recognized the need for this support, and I am eager to continue working with them to further assist Michigan businesses.”

 

Last June, Governor Whitmer requested a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation to provide relief to Michigan fruit growers and farmers who incurred damage and losses to their crops caused by a hard freeze in the spring. USDA ultimately designated more than 10 Michigan counties as primary disaster areas beginning in September 2020. When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, SBA issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster.

 

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov. Applicants should apply under SBA declaration #16760. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

 

Applications are due to SBA no later than July 26, 2021.
Flags lowered for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 

Flags lowered for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 

by | Dec 7, 2020 | Regional News

1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 6, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Lowers Flags for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

 

LANSING, MICH. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the state to be lowered to half-staff on Monday, December 7, 2020 to honor the 79th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

 

“As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, December 7 truly is ‘a day that will live in infamy,’” said Governor Whitmer. “We remember the courage and bravery of the men and women at Pearl Harbor, and honor the thousands of Americans who lost their lives during this tragic attack on our nation. I hope this day serves as a reminder of unity in the face of tragedy. I encourage each of us to draw upon these ideals as we work together to eliminate COVID-19 from Michigan.”

 

The State of Michigan extends its sincere gratitude to the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. Their selflessness and courage continue to inspire us to make sacrifices for our fellow Americans.

 

The State of Michigan observes Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.

 

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

 

Flags should be returned to full-staff on Tuesday, December 8, 2020.