virtual town hall about COVID-19 vaccine for older adults

virtual town hall about COVID-19 vaccine for older adults

by | Mar 24, 2021 | Regional News

Michigan hosting next virtual town hall about COVID-19 vaccine for older adults
Discussion to focus on vaccine effectiveness, community access

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2021
Contact: Angela Minicuci, APR, 248-765-0558

LANSING, Mich. – Recognizing that Michigan residents have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, the State of Michigan is hosting the next in a series of community town halls. The March event will focus on older adults, as they are currently eligible to receive the vaccine.
This virtual discussion will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 25. This builds upon the previous town halls with faith-based leaders and communities of color, about the safety, efficacy and importance of the COVID-19 vaccines for safely reopening Michigan. In the coming months, Michigan will host additional town halls in partnership with public health and community leaders. Events are live streamed at Facebook.com/MichiganHHS.

“Even as the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expands, it’s important that older adults understand the safety and efficacy of the authorized vaccines, so that they can get scheduled as soon as possible if they haven’t already received the vaccine,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, PhD, senior deputy director of the Aging and Adult Services Agency within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “Michigan’s older residents have a higher risk of severe illness and death associated with COVID, so increasing their immunity will help protect our communities overall.”

Moderated by Dr. Travis, the panel also will feature:

  • Zaneta Adams, Director, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
  • Maureen Taylor, Chair, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization
  • Rev. Horace Sheffield, Pastor, Detroit’s New Destiny Christian Fellowship
  • Dr. Brenda Surae Eaton, MD
  • Mark Hornbeck, AARP Michigan
  • Dr. Herbert Smitherman, MD, Detroit Receiving Hospital

“As a veteran who knows firsthand what protecting others looks like, I truly believe that wearing a mask and getting the COVID-19 vaccines are some of the simplest things we can do to protect our veterans from COVID-19,” said MVAA Director Zaneta Adams. “There are more than 550,000 veterans in Michigan, many over the age of 50 with preexisting conditions, ages, and experiences can make them more at risk for potentially deadly illnesses like COVID-19.”

The goal of the town hall series is to address the safety and efficacy of the vaccine by answering questions within vulnerable communities. The vaccine distribution plan has prioritized older adults as the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. This is why vaccine distribution guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that adults 65 years and older be one of the first groups to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

Ahead of the discussion, attendees are encouraged to submit their questions for the town hall about the COVID-19 vaccine. Any questions that cannot be answered during the town halls due to time constraints, will be reviewed and added to the State of Michigan COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions.

It is important to note that, while supplies are increasing, there remains a limited amount of vaccine available, so there may be a waitlist for available appointments. As more vaccine becomes available, the state will continue to move more quickly through the priority groups. MDHHS follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for prioritization of distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines. CDC recommendations are based on input from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the federal advisory committee made up of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the United States.

Even with the increase of COVID-19 vaccinations, residents are encouraged to continue to practice preventative measures such as properly wearing masks, social distancing and frequent handwashing to reduce the spread of the virus until the vast majority of people have been vaccinated.

Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

 

Flags lowered After Mass Shooting in Boulder, Colorado  

Flags lowered After Mass Shooting in Boulder, Colorado  

by | Mar 24, 2021 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 23, 2021

Contact: [email protected]   

 

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags After Mass Shooting in Boulder, Colorado 

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff immediately on Tuesday, March 23 through Saturday, March 27 to honor and remember the 10 victims of the shooting in Boulder, Colorado.

 

“My heart breaks for the families, loved ones, and communities as our nation mourns this senseless violence,” Whitmer said. “Gun violence is a public health crisis that continues to take the lives of Americans every day. We cannot continue to allow these tragedies to happen. Our state grieves alongside those who lost loved ones and the entire Boulder, Colorado community. ”

 

On Monday, a gunman opened fire at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, killing 10 people. Officials released the names of the 10 people killed in the shooting:

 

  • Tralona Bartkowiak
  • Suzanne Fountain
  • Teri Leiker
  • Kevin Mahoney
  • Lynn Murray
  • Rikki Olds
  • Neven Stanisic
  • Denny Strong
  • Officer Eric Talley
  • Jody Waters

 

The State of Michigan remembers the victims and stands in solidarity with residents of the State of Colorado by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also 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 Sunday, March 28, 2021.
County Health Division Update On Vaccine Clinics And Doses

County Health Division Update On Vaccine Clinics And Doses

by | Mar 23, 2021 | Regional News

Oakland County Health Division COVID-19 Update On Vaccine Clinics And Doses For The Week Of March 23-29

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Health Division will conduct 16 COVID-19 vaccine clinics by appointment only the week of Tuesday, March 23 – Monday, March 29 in the following communities: Holly, Madison Heights, Novi, Pontiac, Rochester, Southfield, Waterford, and West Bloomfield. In addition, the Health Division will administer COVID-19 vaccine at four long-term care centers. To date, 30 long-term care centers have received a first and second doses of vaccine. The county also is redistributing vaccine to 28 providers this week.

The State of Michigan distributed 26,400 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Oakland County Health Division this week, including 2,340 Pfizer doses from FEMA. The Health Division will administer the FEMA doses, provided as part of the establishment of Ford Field as a regional vaccination site, in Waterford and Pontiac to residents who live in areas with a higher Social Vulnerability Index. Here is the breakdown by manufacturer, excluding the FEMA doses:

Johnson & Johnson

1st Dose                 0
2nd Dose                0
Total Doses            0

Moderna

1st Dose              400
2nd Dose          2,600
Total Doses      3,000

Pfizer

1st Dose         11,700
2nd Dose          9,360
Total Doses    21,060

Meanwhile, Oakland County’s Save Your Spot list is down to just over 238,000 registrations, down from a peak of about 600,000. The following is an update on progress vaccinating Oakland County residents, according to the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard as of

March 21, 2021:

  • Total eligible residents: 1,029,737
    • Number of residents who have received first dose: 310,684
    • Number of residents who have completed vaccination: 172,904
    • Vaccine coverage: 30.2%
  • Total eligible senior residents 65 and older: 217,676
    • Number of senior residents who have received first dose: 143,738
    • Number of senior residents who have completed vaccination: 87,847
    • Vaccine coverage for senior residents: 66.0%
  • Total doses distributed by state within Oakland County: 468,015
    • Total doses administered within Oakland County: 480,466
    • Percentage of doses administered within Oakland County: N/A
Orion Township Planning Commission Meeting of March 17, 2021

Orion Township Planning Commission Meeting of March 17, 2021

by | Mar 23, 2021 | Meetings, Township/Village

 

Whitmer Announces 21 Rebuilding Michigan Road Projects

Whitmer Announces 21 Rebuilding Michigan Road Projects

by | Mar 23, 2021 | Transportation

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Announces 21 Rebuilding Michigan Road Projects

Rebuilding Michigan effort aims to keep drivers safe, jumpstart Michigan’s economy, create good-paying construction jobs.

 

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the first 21 state highway projects starting throughout the state as part of the 2021 Michigan Department of Transportation construction season. These projects are a blend of those previously funded through the department’s budget, as well as several supported by the Rebuilding Michigan bonding program.

 

“This is all about keeping Michigan drivers safe on the road,” said Governor Whitmer. “By taking action now through the Rebuilding Michigan plan, we can start fixing state roads immediately and save money in the long run by cutting down the need for more costly repairs later. The Rebuilding Michigan plan is financed without an increase at the gas pump, and it’ll help jumpstart our economy by creating thousands of good-paying construction jobs. As we get into the spring and summer, you will see more work going on as we move quickly to make up for decades of under investment in infrastructure. Let’s get to work and let’s get it done.”

 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program is focused on rebuilding the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improves the condition of the state’s infrastructure.

 

“Michigan has needed real, sustained investment in our roads and bridges – and the jobs that investment creates – for far too long,” said Operating Engineers 324 Business Manager Douglas Stockwell. “Governor Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan plan finally addresses this issue, and puts our highly skilled, safety-trained members to work doing what we do best: fixing the roads and bridges to keep Michigan running.  Good roads benefit communities and good jobs stimulate the economy. This investment creates both.  The men and women of Operating Engineers 324 will continue to answer the call.”

 

“The heavy construction industry stands ready, willing and able to tackle the construction projects that Governor Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan plan will deliver,” said Lance Binoniemi, vice president of government affairs for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association. “Michigan’s roads and bridges are in desperate need of repair, and this will go a long way towards supporting that need.”

 

“Rebuilding Michigan will employ Michiganders in good-paying jobs at a time when we need it to grow our economy,” said Business Manager of the Laborers District Council Geno Alessandrini, Sr. “Our members are the best trained workers in the world and they are ready to get to work to keep Michiganders safe on the roads. This investment will do just that.”

 

Projects starting or resuming in March include:

 

  • Continuation of a $121.5 million investment to rebuild I-94 Business Loop (BL) (Main Street), connect US-31 to I-94, and rebuild I-94 between Britain Avenue and I-196 in Benton Township, Berrien County. This is the second season of work on this three-year project funded through the Rebuilding Michigan program.

 

  • Rebuilding 3.4 miles of M-3 (Gratiot Avenue) between 11 Mile and 14 Miles roads in the city of Roseville, investing $60 million over two years. This project not only replaces the roadway, but also updates the water main and storm sewer, traffic signals, and sidewalks and ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

 

  • $24 million to make extensive improvements to six bridges at the US-31/M-104 interchange in Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg in Ottawa County. Work includes deck replacement, painting, structural steel repairs, and beam repairs.

 

  • Rebuilding 12 miles of southbound I-196 from Holland to Saugatuck/Douglas in Allegan County. This $34 million investment supported by the Rebuilding Michigan program and federal funds includes not only road rebuilding, but also culvert replacements and bridge improvements, as well as replacement of the Saugatuck Rest Area.

 

  • Significant improvements to 16 bridges along the I-75/US-23 corridor in Genesee County, including steel beam repairs, deck replacements and protective epoxy coating. This $12.3 million investment extends the service life of these structures.

 

  • Rebuilding 6 miles of M-37 south of US-31 to M-113 south of Traverse City. This nearly $9 million project includes widening the highway for a center left-turn lane, and construction of new roundabouts at the intersections with Vance and Blair Townhall roads.

 

 

Dozens of other road and bridge rebuilding projects are planned for the 2021 construction season through the traditional federal and state funding sources, as well as the Rebuilding Michigan bonding program.

 

“MDOT’s 2021 program includes rebuilding and resurfacing roughly 920 lane miles of state highways and freeways, and performing preventative maintenance on another 830 lane miles throughout Michigan,” said State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba. “Our department is working quickly to turn the additional funding we’ve been entrusted with into better, safer roads and bridges that support our economy and thousands of jobs.”

 

As Gov. Whitmer requested, the State Transportation Commission (STC) in January 2020 authorized MDOT to issue $3.5 billion in bonds over four years to finance infrastructure improvements, under authority granted by the Michigan Constitution and Public Act 51 of 1951. Funding raised through bond sales will finance 49 new projects throughout the state, and frees up funding already dedicated to those project for roughly 120 other projects, expanding the scope of that work or advancing project schedules.

 

MDOT sold a first $800 million package of bonds in September 2020. The very favorable market reaction resulted in a premium as the sale generated nearly $1.1 billion in proceeds. Strong bond ratings from S&P and Moody’s rating agencies reflected the dedicated revenues stream of fuel taxes and vehicle registrations to repay investors, as well as the STC’s policy to limit MDOT’s debt service to 25 percent of revenues.

 

“After Gov. Whitmer announced her Rebuilding Michigan bonding program, Moody’s issued a report supporting the state’s investment in infrastructure for the impact on our economic competitiveness.” said Patrick McCarthy, Director of MDOT’s Bureau of Finance & Administration. “They also recognized that making those investments now provides value, while delaying increases costs to make repairs to our infrastructure.”