MDOT: President Biden’s infrastructure plan
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Whitmer Update on the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Orion Township Planning Commission Meeting of 4/7/2021
Smaller Clinics Helping To Fight COVID-19
Smaller, Targeted Vaccination Clinics Helping In The Fight Against COVID-19
Beverly Hills, Michigan – When Dr. Chadi Zaza rolled up his sleeve Thursday and bared his arm for a COVID-19 vaccination, the dose of Johnson & Johnson he received meant more than just protection against a deadly virus
“We want to pay back the community that is doing so much to help us address the issues facing Syrian refugees,” said Dr. Zaza, the president and CEO of Rahma Worldwide Aid and Development, a non-profit agency based in Beverly Hills that provides support and services for refugees. “We want to show them that we appreciate everything they have done – every donor, every supporter, everyone who cares about humanity – we want to show them some appreciation.”
The clinic, which vaccinated 200 community members at Rahma’s headquarters in Beverly Hills, was also a welcome addition for the Oakland County Health and Human Services Division, which is setting up clinics throughout the county to reach underserved communities. It was one of six smaller vaccination clinics held this week targeting communities that might have difficulties accessing the vaccine.
The smaller clinics complement Oakland County’s other, larger vaccination sites around the county, including drive-thru sites in Rochester and West Bloomfield, and large-scale clinics in Southfield, Novi and Pontiac.
“Making sure we touch every population in the county is so, so important,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, during a visit to the Rahman vaccination site. “The sooner we get as many people as possible vaccinated, the sooner we can get back to some sense of normalcy and enjoy all the things we’ve missed in the last year.”
Oakland County is making progress on its top priority of vaccinating its most vulnerable population – seniors – and 70% of them have received at least one dose. Of the county’s overall population of more than 1 million eligible adults, 40% have received at least one dose.
Working with hospital, health care and pharmacy partners, the county is ramping up vaccination efforts as the state provides more doses. Oakland received 37,090 COVID-19 doses this week after getting only 1,950 weekly doses when vaccines first became available in December.
“I do see a light at the end of the tunnel, but that tunnel is still dangerous, especially with the recent surge in COVID-19 cases,” Coulter said. “We still need to stay on guard, and do everything possible, including masking up, continuing to socially distance and get vaccinated.”
Whitmer Announces 5 Million Vaccinations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2021
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Announces 5 Million Vaccinations, Calls on Federal Government to Surge Additional Vaccines to Michigan
To slow the spread and protect Michiganders, Governor urges M
LANSING, Mich. – At a press conference in Lansing today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan will hit more than five million vaccinations by the end of the day. While vaccine supply has increased dramatically since the Biden Administration took office, the state is currently experiencing a serious spike in COVID-19 cases that is putting pressure on Michigan hospital systems. To slow the spread of the virus and protect more Michiganders, the governor renewed her call for the federal government to surge additional vaccines to Michigan, while also urging high schools to shift to remote learning, encouraging diners to choose outdoor dining or takeout instead of indoor seating, and recommending youth sports suspend in-person activities for the next two weeks.
“Administering more than five million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccine in under four months is a big deal, but we’ve still got a lot more work to do,” said Governor Whitmer. “Right now our numbers are alarming, and we all have a role to play to get our state moving in the right direction again. That’s why I’m renewing my call on the federal government to surge additional vaccines to our state. And it’s why I’m urging high schools and youth sports to voluntarily suspend in-person activities for the next two weeks. This is a team effort. It’s on all of us to do our part by masking up and getting vaccinated to protect ourselves and our families, so we can get back to normal. Let’s get it done.”
While many states across the country have dropped basic health protocols altogether, the State of Michigan continues to implement smart health policies and mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, including a statewide mask mandate, limits on indoor social gatherings larger than 25 people, expanded testing requirements for youth sports, and dozens of pop-up testing sites across the state.
“As a parent and former student-athlete myself, I understand how important athletics are to our children’s physical and mental health. However, parents and athletes need to understand the risk involved with youth sports if they choose to participate,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We’ve seen that the younger population has played a significant role in transmission during this most recent spike. I urge youth sports organizers to pause in-person activities for the next couple weeks, and as always, mask up, wash your hands, social distance and get your safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are able.”
Over the last few weeks, Michigan has tracked outbreaks associated with youth sports. To prevent additional outbreaks, Governor Whitmer is urging youth sports on both school-sponsored and non-school sponsored teams to suspend in-person activities, like games and practices, for the next two weeks. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) requires test
“Based on the increase in positivity rates and hospitalizations, we need the help of Michiganders,” said Tina Freese Decker, President & CEO of Spectrum Health. “We ask you to practice the safety behaviors that we know work and get vaccinated as soon as possible. This will help us slow the spread and hopefully this will be our last surge.”
In addition to urging youth sports to suspend in-person activities, Governor Whitmer is asking high schools to utilize virtual instruction for the next two weeks to slow the spread of COVID-19. MDHHS issued guidance to schools strongly encouraging them to enroll in the department’s testing program if they are open to in-person instruction. Additionally, the state is offering 56 pop-up sites located throughout Michigan as part of the special program in an effort to increase access to testing for Michiganders returning from Spring Break. For more information on additional test sites, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirustest.
“Our recent COVID case numbers are the highest in the nation, and hospitalizations have climbed significantly in the last month. Michigan educators, students, and families have risen to the challenge over the past year, and I am confident they will continue to do what is needed to help save lives as we keep fighting the pandemic,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “I support the recommendations of the governor. I urge schools to contribute the next two weeks toward the common good of our state and the health of our residents.”
Governor Whitmer is also urging Michiganders to avoid dining indoors and avoid gathering with friends indoors for two weeks. The unfortunate nature of this deadly virus is that it spreads quickly when people are gathered indoors without masks for an extended period of time. By opting to dine outdoors or order takeout, restaurants can remain open while operating safely to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“MSYSA appreciates Governor Whitmer providing us the opportunity to review our specific risk mitigation strategies and return to play guidelines,” said Thomas Faro, Executive Director of Michigan State Youth Soccer Association, Inc. “We acknowledge the need for our members to continue to do their part with the consistent use of facial coverings and social distancing so that children can play soccer.”
To date, Michigan has administered more than five million vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible. Last week, Governor Whitmer raised Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccination goal from 50,000 to 100,000 shots per day. After announcing the state had surpassed four million vaccines administered on March 29, another one million vaccine doses were administered in less than two weeks to reach the five million vaccine milestone.
For the latest information on Michigan’s response to COVID-19, please visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. You may also call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136, or email COVID-19@michigan.gov.