Lt. Governor Gilchrist Receives First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine

by Becky Andrus | Apr 19, 2021 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 17, 2021

PHOTOS: Lt. Governor Gilchrist Receives First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist received a first dose of the safe and effective Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the community vaccine site at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit after becoming eligible in the latest phase of prioritization that includes all Michiganders age 16 years or older.

“I am proud to join millions of Michiganders in the fight against COVID-19 by getting the first dose of the safe, effective vaccine,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “This virus has disproportionally targeted communities of color, and now we have the opportunity to ensure equitable access to the vaccine to keep each other safe and healthy. The best thing you can do to protect yourself, family, and neighbors is to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, so we can get back to doing the things we love together.”

To date, Michigan has administered 5,788,119 vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible. As part of these efforts, Michigan is working to administer 100,000 shots per day, partnering with organizations like Greater Grace Temple to create more opportunities for Michigan residents to receive a vaccine.

Flags Lowered After Mass Shooting in Indianapolis

by Becky Andrus | Apr 19, 2021 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags After Mass Shooting in Indianapolis

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 remain lowered to half-staff through Tuesday, April 20 to honor and remember the eight victims of the shooting in Indianapolis.

“As our nation mourns another senseless act of violence, we remember those whose lives have been cut short and the legacies they leave behind,” Whitmer said. “Gun violence is a public health crisis, and we must do more to prevent these tragedies. My heart goes out to the victims’ loved ones and the entire Indianapolis community as they cope with this terrible loss.”

Late on Thursday, a gunman opened fire at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, killing eight people and injuring several others. Officials have not released the names of the eight people killed in the shooting.

The State of Michigan remembers the victims and stands in solidarity with residents of the state of Indiana 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 Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

MDOT roadside parks reopening April 30

by Becky Andrus | Apr 19, 2021 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

CONTACT: Dan Weingarten, MDOT Office of Communications, 906-250-4809
[email protected]

MDOT roadside parks reopening April 30

April 19, 2021 — All roadside parks operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will reopen for the season Friday, April 30.

MDOT maintains 85 roadside parks around the state. Parks in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula operate seasonally, usually closing in late October and reopening in the spring.

While parks are scheduled to be open April 30, motorists should not expect drinking water at all parks to be turned on until sometime later in May, after annual testing and treatment of the park water systems is completed.

A map and complete list of MDOT roadside parks are available on the MDOT website.

Michigan overdose deaths decrease in 2019

by Becky Andrus | Apr 19, 2021 | Health and Wellness

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2021

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

Michigan overdose deaths decrease again in 2019, with a greater decline than in 2018

Opioid overdose deaths also decrease as state efforts pay off

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan is reporting its second consecutive year of decreasing opioid overdose deaths and drug overdose deaths overall – showing the progress that has been made under the state’s comprehensive efforts to combat the national epidemic.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today that in 2019 there were 2,354 overdose deaths in Michigan, 1,768 of which were opioid-related.

Overall overdose deaths declined by 9.4% from the 2,599 in 2018 – a number that is now below what was seen in 2016.

Opioid-related overdose deaths decreased by 13.2% from the 2018 total of 2,036 – a greater decline than the more modest gain the previous year.

However, preliminary data for January-June 2020 show 1,340 overdose deaths – up from 1,155 in those same months in 2019, an increase of 16%. Similarly, opioid-related overdose deaths increased from 874 in the first half of 2019 to 1,045 in the same period in 2020, an increase of 20%. The 2020 deaths are likely to be underreported due to incomplete data.

“Our efforts to prevent opioid misuse, provide high-quality recovery treatment and reduce the harm caused by opioids to individuals and their communities are paying off,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS. “We have made significant progress, however, our preliminary 2020 data is showing there may have been an uptick in deaths last year. This illustrates that there is much more work to do and we will not rest until we have made further progress in addressing an issue that has devastated far too many families.”

Michigan has a plan in place that calls for cutting opioid-related overdose deaths by half in five years by 2024.

In 2019, the age-adjusted opioid overdose death rate decreased from 21.2 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2018 to 18.2 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2019.

However, Michigan had an increase in deaths due to psychostimulants with abuse potential including methamphetamine. More than 200 Michiganders died from an overdose involving psychostimulants with abuse potential in 2019, which was a 21% increase from the previous year.

The decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2019 was largely driven by decreases in the number of deaths due to poisoning by heroin and commonly prescribed natural and semisynthetic drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone and oxymorphone. Drug poisoning deaths involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl declined slightly.

Despite overall progress in decreasing overdose deaths in 2019, the data show troubling disparities across racial groups. “MDHHS is firmly committed to ensuring equitable access to prevention, treatment, and harm reduction, and is taking targeted steps to address racial disparities,” Khaldun said.

Michigan’s 2019 data shows:

Overall overdose mortality rates among white residents decreased by 12.9 percent, while rates among Black residents increased by 2.7 percent.
Opioid overdose mortality rates among white residents decreased by 16.9 percent, while rates among Black residents increased by 0.8 percent in 2019.
Michigan residents of races other than Black or white experienced a 22.1 percent decrease in overall overdose mortality and a 20.2 percent decrease in opioid overdose mortality.

The state is using every available tool to combat the opioid epidemic. The collaborative efforts of state agencies are amplifying Michigan’s efforts related to prevention and treatment of patients, education of health professionals and enforcement of over-prescribers.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, MDHHS and other members of the Michigan Opioids Task Force recently announced a slate of steps the state is taking to combat the opioid epidemic. At the end of 2020, the task force reviewed and revamped to produce the 2021 Opioids Strategy that maintains focus on 2020 priorities while increasing focus on reducing racial disparities. The strategy has outlined seven strategic pillars: 1) prevention, 2) expanding access to treatment, 3) harm reduction, 4) data and 5) equity, along with efforts targeted to population at heightened risk of overdose, 6) pregnant women and new mothers, and 7) criminal justice-involved populations.

Efforts include:

Launching public media campaigns to educate Michiganders on opioid risks, reduce stigma, and increase awareness of harm reduction services.
Expanding funding of emergency-department based Medication-Assisted Treatment programs in hospitals across the state.
Launching a statewide naloxone portal to allow local organizations to obtain the life-saving drug in bulk at no cost to the organization.
Beginning Medication-Assisted Treatment programs in four state prisons and in several jails with the goal of expanding treatment to all facilities across the state.
Expanding syringe service programs across the state to help reduce the amount of harm caused by opioid use disorder to individuals and their communities to 65 sites at 26 agencies.
Rolling out Emergency Medical Services Naloxone Leave Behind protocol to allow EMS agencies to leave behind naloxone kits with family and friends after a nonfatal overdose.
Supporting the implementation of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (programs in Muskegon and Washtenaw counties and the City of Detroit to divert people with opioid use disorder and other behavioral health issues to treatment and other resources.

In addition, the Michigan Opioids Task Force hosted six townhalls across the state in 2020 to seek public input on Michigan’s opioid strategy.

For more information about opioids and the additional steps residents can take to protect themselves and loved ones, visit Michigan.gov/Opioids.

If you or someone you know needs help with a substance use disorder, call the National Hotline, a 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year treatment referral hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Michigan Joins USDA in Invasive Species Awareness

by Becky Andrus | Apr 19, 2021 | Environmental

For Immediate Release: April 15 2021
Program contact: Rob Miller, 517-614-0454
Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724

Michigan Joins USDA in Invasive Species Awareness Campaign to Protect State’s Agriculture, Natural Resources

LANSING –The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared April 2021 as “Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month”– a campaign aimed at raising public awareness about damaging invasive pests threatening our nation’s crops, forests, and natural resources.

According to the USDA, damage caused by invasive tree and plant pests, coupled with the cost of control and eradication efforts, can reach $40 billion annually. These destructive pests impact agriculture, forest products and even residential landscapes.

“Most pests don’t make it very far on their own. Some non-native, exotic pests made it to the United States on goods and materials from other countries, or even on the ships, planes and trains that transport them. Once here, plant pests can be unintentionally moved to new areas by hitching rides on outdoor gear, vehicles, and untreated firewood,” said Rob Miller, MDARD’s Invasive Species Specialist. “They can also hide in or on fresh produce, soil, seeds and plants. Whether you are shopping, traveling or just spending time outdoors, you can do a lot to prevent the movement of exotic pests.”

These simple steps can help limit the spread of invasive species:

Learn to spot invasive pests posing a threat to plants and agriculture in your area. Report signs of invasive plant pests and diseases to MDARD through the Michigan Invasive Species website or at 800-292-3939.
Don’t move untreated firewood. Buy heat-treated firewood or buy wood where you burn it to avoid unintentionally spreading species that hide inside untreated firewood.
When returning from international travel, declare food, plants and other agricultural items to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure these items are pest-free.
Before buying seeds or plants online from out-of-state vendors, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 to ask if they need to be inspected or meet other conditions to bring them into Michigan legally and without pests.
To combat the spread of invasive pests, both the federal government and individual states use quarantines to restrict the movement of materials that might carry plant pests or diseases. Michigan’s quarantine lists, which impact intrastate and interstate movement, is available on its website at MDARD’s plant pest quarantine website. Travelers can learn about pest and disease quarantines in states by checking the USDA-APHIS Pest Tracker at APHIS.USDA.gov.

Visit the Michigan Invasive Species website to find photos and information about invasive plant pests in Michigan and contact information to report pests in your community.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.