FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2020

Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, MICH. Current restrictions on non-essential medical and dental procedures were put into place in late March to ensure healthcare systems had enough staffing, bed capacity and personal protective equipment (PPE) to care for all patients, as well as to limit the spread of COVID-19. Further guidelines were recently shared with providers to address questions about how patients can be served safely during this time.

Executive Order 2020-17 was meant to be flexible so patient care can be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine which services are needed more immediately and which can be safely delayed without resulting in a decline in health.

“The Executive Order gives providers broad discretion,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive at MDHHS. “I applaud our frontline health care providers who put their lives at risk, and who are engaged in efforts to continue to care for their patients in the safest way possible. The guidelines should assist in determining the best way to treat patients without delaying needed medical services.”

The recommendations include:

• Limiting in-person contact as much as possible, and implementing best practices for infection prevention and control, such as maximizing the use of telehealth, eliminating waiting room times, requiring patients to wear masks, and more.
• Prioritizing in-person patient interactions and face-to-face appointments for the most vulnerable patients, and for necessary services like immunizations.
• Reassuring patients of appropriate safety measures such as expanded testing and PPE.
• Assuring appropriate surge capacity and developing emergency plans including how to gradually start doing more procedures, conserving PPE, and ensuring adequate supplies and staffing.

Details on the guidelines can be viewed in the communication now posted at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. Additional information about best practices for infection prevention and control can also be found on the CDC’s website.

“We hope this guidance helps answer questions but recognize it is not a substitute for clinical judgement,” Khaldun said. “Providers know their patients best and will understand the safest, most effective ways to manage their care under these circumstances created by the pandemic.”

It is also important for patients to understand they should not delay important medical care, especially emergency care. If there are signs of potentially life-threatening disease, such as a heart attack or stroke, do not delay testing or treatment.

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

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and partners will distribute care packages to Lansing area veterans and National Guard and Reserve members to as a symbol of appreciation and support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The care packages, which include gift cards, snacks and hand-written notes of support from students across the country, will be distributed May 9 at a drive-through, contact-free event in Lansing. Supplies are limited and registration is required at Eventbrite.

The distribution event was inspired by the Governors’ Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF), chaired by Zaneta Adams, Director of the MVAA, the coordinating agency for Michigan’s 600,000 veterans and their families.

“These care packages do not necessarily carry a significant monetary value, but the value of interaction and an expression of thanks can be priceless, even if it is done while following social distancing guidelines,” Adams said. “This is an opportunity to share resources and provide a symbol of appreciation to those who were willing to give their all.”

A team of Veteran Navigators from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will be available to check in with veterans and provide additional assistance for themselves or their families. Veteran Navigators assist all veterans of all eras regardless of discharge type and often provide resources for issues such as mental health, homelessness and substance abuse.

The care packages event is one of several new MVAA initiatives designed to support Michigan’s veterans and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Others include Check on MIVet, which aims to connect veterans to benefits and services they have earned, and a series of Virtual Coffee Hour Q&As that provide the latest veteran-specific information on topics including health care, employment and education.

“As our state responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MVAA has stepped up to create new and innovate ways to connect with veterans to ensure their needs continue to be met,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “The agency has adapted their outreach to continue their exceptional service, identifying and removing barriers veterans face in employment, education, health care and quality of life.”

Veterans and family members with questions about MVAA programs or benefits and services they may have earned can call a 24/7/365 hotline at 1-800-MICH-VET.

If you are a veteran having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention 24/7/365. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

MVAA’s partners in the care packages event include Support Our Troops, Lansing Community College, Lansing Area Veterans Coalition-Region 7 VCAT, Walking with Warriors Veteran Navigator Program, Hidden Heroes-Dole Fellowship Program, Warriors and Caregivers United, and Daughters of the Revolution-Stoney Creek Chapter.

Learn more ways to cope at Michigan.gov/StayWell. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.