COVID-19 Vaccine Will Keep Our Kids In School

COVID-19 Vaccine Will Keep Our Kids In School

by | Nov 8, 2021 | Regional News

Pediatric Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine Will Keep Our Kids In School

Oakland County to Begin School-Based Clinics

Pontiac, Michigan – The pediatric dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to keep Oakland County kids safe, healthy, and in school. Pediatricians joined County Executive Dave Coulter with that message to invite parents and guardians to one of Oakland County Health Division’s school-based pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinics which begin Monday, November 8.

“When the FDA and the CDC put their stamp of approval on giving the COVID-19 vaccine to kids this week, it was another reason for hope,” Coulter said. “Hope that this could signal a quicker end to this public health crisis and move toward safer classrooms, family gatherings during the holidays and other milestone celebrations.”

The first clinic will be at Hazel Park High School, 23400 Hughes Ave. in Hazel Park on Monday, November 8, from 4:00-7:30 p.m. The appointment slots for the first clinic are already full. Oakland County residents 5-18 years old do not need to attend the school or live in the school district to receive the pediatric dose of COVID-19 vaccine. They may come from anywhere in the county to any of the school-based clinics.

The pediatric dose is for children 5-11 years old and is one-third the dose of the adult Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose. Like the adult dose, the second pediatric dose is given 21 days after the first dose.

“We are excited to offer COVID-vaccine to children ages 5-11 to help end this pandemic,” said Dr. Russell Faust, Oakland County Health Division medical director and pediatric ear, nose, and throat surgeon. “Though most cases of COVID in children are mild, kids can still spread the virus to others – people at home, at school, and others. Because their symptoms are often mild, kids are often not tested. This means that positive cases in children are likely being missed.”

For a complete list of school-based clinics and times, go to OaklandCountyVaccine.com or call 800-848-5533 The Health Division strongly recommends scheduling an appointment for the school-based vaccine clinics, which will serve children ages 5-18 years old. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian present.

“Our goal for the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinics is to make the child and their parent or guardian as comfortable as possible,” said Kate Guzman, a registered nurse and public health administrator at the Health Division. “That’s why we’re holding them in school buildings after school hours – they’re in a familiar and comfortable environment.”

Oakland County has about 98,000 residents ages 5-11 and received 14,400 pediatric doses Tuesday. Nearly 4,000 kids have already signed up to receive the pediatric dose of COVID-19 vaccine. To date, 63 percent of Oakland County residents ages 12-19 years old have received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 6,973 Oakland County children ages 0-9 years have tested positive for COVID-19 along with 18,878 11-19-year-olds. From Oct. 18-31, Oakland County reported 4,594 new probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases. The ages breakdown as follows:

  • 0-4 years 157 new cases
  • 5-9 years 358 new cases
  • 10-13 years 313 new cases
  • 14-18 years 247 new cases

Oakland County children ages 5-13 years accounted for 14.6 percent of the new cases over that two-week period. Oakland County residents 18 years and younger represented nearly one in four new cases.

The following is an update on progress vaccinating Oakland County residents, according to the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard as of November 1, 2021:

Total eligible residents 12 and older: 1,091,389

  • Number of residents 12 and older who have received first dose: 818,932
  • Number of residents 12 years and older who have completed vaccination: 760,505
  • Vaccine coverage for residents 12 and older: 75.0 percent

Total eligible residents 16 and older: 1,029,737

  • Number of residents 16 and older who have received first dose: 783,265
  • Number of residents 16 and older who have completed vaccination: 727,723
  • Vaccine coverage for residents 16 and older: 76.1 percent

Total eligible senior residents 65 and older: 217,676

  • Number of senior residents who have received first dose: 195,775
  • Number of senior residents who have completed vaccination: 183,213
  • Vaccine coverage for senior residents: 89.9 percent

Total doses distributed within Oakland County: 1,804,605

Total primary series doses administered within Oakland County: 1,519,082

Total third and booster doses administered in Oakland County: 116,127

Whitmer on Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation

Whitmer on Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation

by | Nov 8, 2021 | Regional News

Header 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 6, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer on Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make historic investments in Michigan’s infrastructure

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after passage of the historic bipartisan infrastructure plan, which will create millions of good-paying jobs, build up our roads and bridges, ensure small businesses can safely transport goods, expand the state’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, replace aging water infrastructure, including replacing lead service lines, and expand high-speed internet access across the nation.

 

“The bipartisan infrastructure plan is a win-win for Michigan because it will create countless good-paying, blue collar jobs, while helping us fix even more roads and bridges across the state,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am grateful to Michigan’s congressional delegation for working to get this done. The infrastructure plan will put our tax dollars back to work in our state to make game-changing, historic investments toward upgrading our state’s roads, bridges, water infrastructure, and so much more. This investment will make a huge difference in people’s lives and build on the work that we’re doing in Michigan to deliver on the kitchen-table issues. I’m ready to work with both parties in the legislature to get shovels in the ground and put Michiganders first.”

 

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will send billions of dollars to Michigan to help Governor Whitmer continue fixing the damn roads, bridges, and water infrastructure, replace lead service lines, expand the state’s electric vehicle charging network, and so much more.

  • Michigan would receive $7.3 billion to fix roads and $563 million for bridge replacement or repairs.
  • Michigan would receive $1 billion to improve public transportation across the state.
  • Michigan would receive $1.3 billion to improve water infrastructure, including lead service line replacement, to ensure safe drinking water is available in all communities.
  • Michigan would receive $100 million to expand high-speed internet access to an additional 398,000 Michiganders.
  • Michigan would receive $110 million to boost the state’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

 

FIX THE DAMN ROADS

In less than three years, Governor Whitmer has fixed more than 9,000 lane miles of roads across the state. The governor’s Rebuilding Michigan plan will fix an additional hundreds of miles of roads and create or support 45,000 good-paying jobs. The budget she signed recently will repair or replace nearly 100 crumbling bridges in serious or critical condition and create 2,500 jobs.

 

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE & LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENTS

The governor’s MI Clean Water plan would invest $700 million to build up drinking and wastewater infrastructure while supporting 10,000 good-paying jobs. The plan addresses high water rates, tackles toxic contaminants like PFAS, builds up sewer and septic systems that can’t meet demand, and replaces lead service lines. In addition to MI Clean Water plan, Michigan has invested millions in drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater facilities across the state supporting thousands of local jobs.

 

Since January 2019, the State of Michigan has invested more in its water infrastructure than the previous five years—from 2014 to 2018—combined.

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE

Governor Whitmer has launched the Charge Up Michigan grant program to install fast charging stations for private and commercial electric vehicles along key travel routes throughout the state. Since the launch of the Charge Up Michigan program, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has allocated $4,000,182.97 for chargers at 76 locations with a total of 182 charging station outlets.

 

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS

In June, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Directive 2021-02 to help bridge the digital divide by establishing the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) to make high-speed internet more affordable and accessible. Governor Whitmer also signed into law the Broadband Expansion Act of Michigan, which codified the Connecting Michigan Communities (CMIC) grant program that, to date, has announced $12.7 million in grant awards that will help connect more than 12,200 homes and businesses.

 

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver record funding to help Governor Whitmer continue rebuilding our state’s roads and bridges. Beyond that, the plan will upgrade aging water infrastructure to remove lead service lines, expand high-speed internet access, and build a national network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers to support Michigan’s automotive sector.

 
Whitmer Delivers $1,000 Bonuses to Childcare Professionals

Whitmer Delivers $1,000 Bonuses to Childcare Professionals

by | Nov 8, 2021 | Regional News

Header 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 8, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Delivers $1,000 Bonuses to Childcare Professionals 

Applications open today for a bipartisan $350 million grant program to support 8,000+ childcare businesses and bonuses for thousands of childcare professionals. 

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer celebrated the launch of the Child Care Stabilization Grant that will distribute $350 million in grants to give every full-time childcare professional a $1,000 bonus and keep childcare programs open and serving kids.

 

“Childcare is the backbone of a strong economy and childcare professionals and programs go above and beyond every day to care for our kids, helping them learn and grow in a safe environment,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I was proud to put childcare businesses and professionals first in the bipartisan budget I signed in September. By bringing both parties together, we were able to put Michiganders first and deliver every childcare professional a $1,000 bonus in recognition of their incredible sacrifices over the last 18 months, expand low or no-cost care to 105,000 kids, and help providers improve their programs. Countless working parents rely on childcare, and without the tireless, often thankless work of providers and professionals, working families would not be able to get back to work and pursue their potential. With this investment, we can ensure kids and working families succeed as we continue ushering in a new era of prosperity for our communities.”

 

“Childcare programs and working families with young children have been faced with a major crisis during this pandemic on top of the already existing long-term childcare crisis. Industry stabilization funding like this is a critical lifeline in starting to move the needle in the right direction,” said Laurie Fletcher, owner of a home-based childcare provider in Grand Rapids. “This investment will help to provide a lifeline to sustain the childcare programs that every community needs to help Michigan’s families return to and remain in their workplaces.”

 

“Childcare professionals are trusted to help our youngest children learn and grow, but their compensation doesn’t reflect the value they bring to our children and communities. Most teacher’s assistants make a little over minimum wage because that is all that the programs can afford.  I’m grateful these grants include bonus pay for childcare professionals because they work very hard caring for our littlest learners. Parents need us so that they can keep working, and it breaks my heart to hear of good programs closing, and parents unable to find care,” said Kimberly Zehnder, owner of EduPlay Discovery Center in Frankenmuth.

 

“The Child Care Stabilization Grants are a step in the right direction for supporting the childcare industry in our state. I’m excited to be able to use this funding to support higher, more competitive wages for my staff and to keep our adult-to-child ratios lower without having to raise rates for families. I know that all three of our locations will benefit greatly from this support.” said Amy Ahola, owner of the Child Central Station Group Home Child Care and Child Central Station, LLC in Marquette.

 

“I’ve been serving children and families for over 24 years and the past 18 months have been the most challenging of my career. Funding from the Child Care Stabilization Grant will help me thank my hard-working staff and continue providing high-quality care 24 hours a day,” said Laurie Clark-Horton, owner of L.A.C.C. Child Care Academy, Inc. one of the largest free-standing facilities in Detroit. “I’ll be encouraging every childcare program in my network to apply for funding.”

 

Details 

The Child Care Stabilization Grant application is now open. Licensed childcare providers are eligible to apply and should visit Michigan.gov/childcare to review frequently asked questions and apply. Childcare professionals will be awarded bonuses directly from their employer and do not need to apply.

 

Budget

In September, the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2022 budget bill that includes game-changing investments in childcare and delivers on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to families, communities, and small business. The budget puts 167,000 Michiganders on a tuition-free path to higher-education or skills training, repairs or replaces 100 bridges while creating 2,500 jobs, and makes a $500 million deposit into our rainy day fund, the largest one-time ever, bringing its balance to nearly $1.4 billion, the highest ever.

 

Earlier this year, Governor Whitmer and legislature worked together to put Michigan students first and passed the largest significant education investment in state history, closing the funding gap between schools in Michigan and including a historic amount of resources for schools to hire more nurses, counselors, and social workers. Early investments in mental and social health help reduce crime in the long run.

 
Whitmer Signs Directive to Improve State’s Drinking Water

Whitmer Signs Directive to Improve State’s Drinking Water

by | Nov 4, 2021 | Regional News

Header 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 4, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Signs Directive to Improve State’s Drinking Water Protections

The 6-part executive directive focuses on both prevention and response to water quality issues.

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Directive seeking to strengthen the State of Michigan’s water regulations, rules, and policies. The directive, comprised of six parts, focuses on prevention and response to water quality issues. The State of Michigan will continue working to ensure that every community has access to safe drinking water.

 

“Every parent in Michigan should be able to give their kid a glass of water with confidence, knowing that it is safe,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Today, I signed an Executive Directive to begin a comprehensive review of the State of Michigan’s role in local water systems. The six-part directive will take several steps to tighten regulations, seek to deliver more resources, expand community engagement, and more. Our top priority here remains guaranteeing safe drinking water for every Michigander, no matter who they are or where they live. We will not rest until every community has safe drinking water and every parent feels confident to give their kid a glass of water.”

 

“Every Michigan community deserves access to clean and safe drinking water,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Today’s executive directive will keep Michiganders safe and improve the efficiency with which we prevent and respond to water quality issues. The comprehensive review will give our communities the information we need to improve water infrastructure, reduce inequities affecting low-wealth communities, and protect public health. Governor Whitmer and I will continue to use every resource available in state government to support local water systems to deliver clean and safe water to every Michigander.”

 

“Michigan is committed to protecting and being proactive when it comes to public health and ensuring Michiganders have safe, clean drinking water,” said Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “A safe environment is critical to the health of our children, families and communities. This Executive Directive helps us continue to protect Michiganders from exposure to lead, PFAS and any future threats by strengthening the ways in which we share data, engage local families and communities and deliver programs and services.”

 

“Michigan is blessed with an abundance of fresh water that provides quality source water to every tap in the state, but the aging infrastructure that delivers that water needs aggressive and immediate upgrades,” said Liesl Clark, Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “This directive combined with Governor Whitmer’s MI Clean Water initiative and support from our legislative partners will help jump start that work in community water systems throughout the Great Lakes State.”

 

“Every Michigander deserves clean, safe and affordable water from their tap. We applaud the Governor’s action today to further examine and take actionable steps to improve Michigan’s response to drinking water issues,” said Mary Brady-Enerson, Michigan Director of Clean Water Action. “This directive will ensure that the State’s response to future issues is robust and comprehensive. Rapid removal of lead service lines, greater access to data, and expanded community education and engagement are critical to protect the health of Michigan families.”

 

Executive Directive Details

Part One: Laws and Regulations

Mandate a line-by-line review of existing laws and regulations governing water. While Michigan already has the toughest lead rules nationwide, there are still areas of improvement. The review will recommend reforms that could include legislation, amendments to existing rules, new rules, and executive reorganization.

 

Part Two: Resources

Identify the state and local resources needed to better assist public water suppliers, collect data, and enforce water laws. The current water funding shortfall disproportionately impacts low-income communities.

 

Part Three: Education & Engagement

Analyze efforts around education and engagement to ensure every Michigander who lives in a community experiencing water quality issues get the information they need to protect themselves.

 

Part Four: Lead Mitigation

Direct departments to continue finding ways to reduce lead in drinking water, including a proposal for the rapid and safe removal of lead service lines across the state, which are a primary source of lead contamination in drinking water.

 

Part Five: Data

Examine existing data collection and sharing practices, with the goal of strengthening the collection and transfer of information and formalizing best practices already in place. While the state does not operate public water supplies, it does regulate these systems. Protecting public health demands better access to data on local water assets.

 

Part Six: Planning

Find opportunities for equitable regional planning in the sourcing, treatment, and delivery of drinking water. Ensure resources are being used effectively to deliver safe drinking water.

 

To view the full executive directive, click the link below:

 

 

Background Information

Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration Actions

Since the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration took office in January 2019, the State of Michigan has invested more in its water infrastructure than the previous five years—from 2014 to 2018—combined.

 

The governor launched the MI Clean Water plan to invest $700 million to build up drinking and wastewater infrastructure while supporting 10,000 good-paying jobs. The plan addresses high water rates, tackles toxic contaminants like PFAS, builds up sewer and septic systems that can’t meet demand, and replaces lead service lines. In addition to MI Clean Water plan, Michigan has invested millions in drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater facilities across the state supporting thousands of local jobs.

 

The administration established health-based PFAS standards for drinking water, has held polluters accountable, and created statewide positions to pursue environmental justice and advocate for clean water while also continuing to enforce the strongest Lead and Copper Rule in the country.
Clarkston Rest Area closing for three weeks

Clarkston Rest Area closing for three weeks

by | Nov 4, 2021 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021

CONTACT: Diane Cross, MDOT Office of Communications, [email protected]

 Clarkston Rest Area closing for three weeks

in Oakland County for accessibility upgrades

COUNTY:

Oakland COMMUNITY: Clarkston

START DATE:

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021

9 a.m.

REOPEN DATE:

Late November 2021

CLOSURE DETAILS:

The southbound I-75 Clarkston Rest Area, south of Davisburg Road in Springfield Township, will have interior and exterior upgrades to ensure the rest area is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Beginning 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, through late November, the facility will be completely closed. The northbound I-75 Davisburg Rest Area in Springfield Township, northern Oakland County, has reopened.

SAFETY BENEFIT:

These accessibility upgrades will bring this facility up to the most current ADA standards.