Governor Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Life of Soldier 

by | Apr 7, 2020 | Uncategorized

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 7, 2020

Contact: [email protected]   

 

Governor Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Life of Soldier  

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan on Wednesday, April 8 to honor the service of United States Army Specialist Clay Welch.

 

“Our state is saddened by the loss of Army Specialist Clay Welch,” Whitmer said. “We show our respect and gratitude for his selfless service to our state and nation by lowering the flags as he is laid to rest. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

 

Spc. Clay Welch hailed from Dearborn Heights, Michigan. He graduated from Truman High School. On September 7, 2017, Welch joined the United States Army. He served as a combat medic with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley in Kansas.

 

Spc. Welch was on a nine-month rotation in Seoul, South Korea when he passed away at the age of 20 on March 22, 2020. He is survived by his wife, parents, siblings, and grandparents.

 

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of Spc. Clay Welch 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 Thursday, April 9.

Election Workers Needed

by | Apr 7, 2020 | Uncategorized

Election Workers Needed to Uphold Democracy During Coronavirus Crisis

Contact: Tracy Wimmer 517-281-1876

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is seeking election workers to support elections amidst the coronavirus crisis. The May 5 local elections will be conducted primarily by mail, but election workers are needed to process and count ballots and staff clerk offices.

 

“Elections are the foundation of our democracy, and our nation has a long history of holding them even in times of crisis and uncertainty,” said Benson. “All election work will be done in strict adherence to the protocols to prevent coronavirus transmission, including exercising social distancing, using sanitary equipment, and maintaining strong hygiene.”

 

Some clerks have said that many of the election workers that have served them in the past are seniors and not willing to do so in May due to their increased vulnerability to the coronavirus. Secretary Benson and her administration are seeking to fill their places with younger and less vulnerable workers by reaching out to large employers, colleges and sports teams.

 

“Democracy is a team sport, and election workers are the most valuable players,” said Benson, alluding to the website where people can fill out an interest form to serve, Michigan.gov/DemocracyMVP.

 

All registered voters are eligible to serve as election workers statewide. (Those who are unregistered can do so at Michigan.gov/Vote.) Those who fill out the interest form will have their information shared with clerks who need assistance. If appointed to work, they will be paid for their time.

 

The local elections – many of which are on school district millages and bonds – are not taking place in all jurisdictions in May. Last month Secretary Benson asked clerks to urge the entities with questions slated for the May ballot to postpone them to the August election. About half of those entities did so. Others did not or could not, often because school funding would expire this summer.

 

Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order that will close all but one polling place – typically the clerk’s office – in each election jurisdiction. To encourage everyone who can to stay home and vote by mail, the Department of State will mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters, and all new registrations will be treated like an absentee ballot application, prompting the issuance of an absentee ballot.

 

“Voters like voting by mail because it is easy, private, and can be done on their own timing and while researching issues and candidates at home,” said Benson. “It also eliminates the possibility of coronavirus transmission for the voter and, with simple precautions like gloves and social distancing, the election workers as well. Finally, voting by mail is absolutely secure, as the signature matching requirement is a built-in security check.”

 

Clerk offices will remain open through Election Day, enabling same-day voter registration and voting in person, including for people with disabilities who wish to vote using assistive equipment, and others to drop off their ballots if they forget to mail it in time. Voter registration can also be done by mail or online at Michigan.gov/Vote through April 20. Between April 20 and May 5, new registrations must be accompanied by proof of residence, which can also be submitted by mail or electronically.

 

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

Oakland County Executive Biweekly Newsletter

Oakland County Executive Biweekly Newsletter

by | Apr 7, 2020 | Uncategorized

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April 6, 2020

Oakland County Executive Biweekly Newsletter

Dear friends,

The next couple of weeks won’t be easy. I wish I could tell you it was getting better, but we must prepare ourselves for the worsening case and death numbers locally, in our state, and across the country. These are sobering numbers and reflect the impact on our families, our friends, colleagues and each of our communities. I can promise you in Oakland County – working with our health experts – we’ll share the facts, we will continue to push for strict protocols, fight for the resources required, and take care of anyone in need.

Now is the time for us to double down on adherence to the Governor’s Stay at Home Order. It continues to be vital that everyone stay home and limit the times you must go out.  The recent guidance from the CDC indicates that even those without symptoms could spread the virus.

When I called the State of the County address “Oakland Together” in February I never expected it to be as important as it is today.

Stay home. Stay Safe. Stay in touch.

Sincerely,

DC

David Coulter
Oakland County Executive

Overflow Capacity Coming to Suburban Showplace in Novi

FEMA has signed a contract with Suburban Collection Showplace, the convention center in Novi, to set up a field hospital. The Army Corps of Engineers, assisted by the Michigan National Guard, will contract with our local construction workers to construct the field hospital. We anticipate it will take 7-14 days for the initial build-out to be complete. We are now working with local hospitals and the Guard on staffing this site when it is ready.

COVID-19 Zip Code Map

To help you better understand the spread of the coronavirus, we launched a map of Oakland County that displays the number of cases by Zipcode. The map lists the location by Zipcode of the infected person. It is not an indication of where the disease may have been transmitted. Health experts tell us you can assume the disease is in the community and it is everywhere. Just because a community has more or fewer cases is not an indication of the relative safety of those communities.

The map is found at https://www.oakgov.com/covid/casesByZip.html

Health Order Compliance Toolkits

Our Oakland County Health Officer issued an order on March 25 requiring essential businesses that remain open to screen their employees for COVID-19 symptoms and ensure social distancing practices for customers at the businesses.  Because of concerns we have heard from residents, we are working with local partners to provide health order compliance toolkits to the big box stores and local stores as well. If you have a concern you would like us to follow-up on, please email [email protected]

Unemployment Resources and Expanded Benefits for Workers Impacted by COVID-19

Oakland County Michigan Works! is ready to help you with the information you need quickly in the event of a layoff or closure resulting from COVID-19. You can find the service center nearest you and a complete list of services at www.oaklandcountyMiWorks.com. Our service center teams are available only via telephone or virtual/remote appointments.

For those seeking unemployment assistance, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order and the federal government’s CARES Act, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Compensation Program offers expanded benefits to those impacted by COVID-19.

  • Benefits for all unemployed workers are increased by $600 a week above amount typically awarded through state unemployment insurance for up to four months (ending Dec. 31, 2020)
  • Benefit payments extended from standard 20 weeks to 39 weeks
  • Application eligibility period increased from 14 to 28 days
  • In-person registration and work search requirements suspended
  • Benefits now available to workers who do not already qualify, including self-employed, 1099-independent contractors, gig and low-wage workers and those with a limited work history

In addition to those impacted by a layoff or loss of work, unemployment benefits have been extended to the following people:

  • Workers who have an unanticipated family care responsibility, including those who have childcare responsibilities due to school closures, or those who are forced to care for loved ones who become ill
  • Workers who are sick, quarantined or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid family and medical leave, or are impacted by a layoff
  • First responders in the public health community who become ill or are quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/UIA. We know that the state system has been overwhelmed by the number of individuals filing for unemployment insurance.  They are working to increase capacity on the website and the phone system.

Oakland County Helps Feed First Responders as Part of Larger Food Program

We are helping feed first responders in five south Oakland County communities being hardest hit by the coronavirus. The first responders have little time to shop or cook for themselves, so they are being provided with pre-cooked and flash-frozen meals through Jack Aaronson, founder of Garden Fresh and local restaurants.

The county is also working with various local agencies, the Lafayette Market in Pontiac and Beans & Cornbread in Southfield, to provide 700 meals twice a day to individuals in shelters and transitional living through Lighthouse and Hope Warming Center. Lighthouse and Oakland University are coordinating various food pantries in a single drive-up distribution point at OU.

Help Available for Small Businesses in Oakland County

Our economic development team has moved quickly to get impacted small businesses the immediate help they need. With a $1.15 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and a matching $1.15 million grant from the County Board of Commissioners, we have created the Oakland County Stabilization Fund for Small Businesses. This gives our small business owners an immediate infusion of capital at a time when they need it most. Small business loans are also available.

To be eligible, the business must have experienced significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak or related state executive orders.  Applications were due Monday, April 6th.  Local committees are scheduled to review the applications this week with award announcements next week. Our EDCA staff is also working to ensure that local businesses can access the federal programs now available to help small businesses.

Oakland County Residents and Businesses Step-Up to Help Front Line Heroes

On Friday, a team of volunteer pilots flew from Oakland County International Airport to Indiana to pick up a shipment of much-needed face shields for the health professionals. They did it on their own time and own dime, collecting this desperately needed equipment. They answered the call for help, and I can’t thank them enough for their generosity and can-do spirit.

I’ve been overwhelmed by the response of Oakland County residents and businesses who are committed to helping our health professionals and first responders by donating much needed personal protective equipment.

Since the call was issued for community assistance, residents and business have donated more than 11,000 N95 masks, 60,000 surgical masks, 64,000 pairs of gloves and 1,400 medical gowns to the Oakland County Emergency Operations Center.

This critical equipment is being distributed as quickly as possible to local hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, and other health care facilities where medical professionals and first responders desperately need these items. There is a continuing need for face shields, masks, splash shields, and gowns.

If you can provide any of those items, the donation drop-off point is Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This is truly Oakland together.

Updated COVID-19 Information

Oakland County Executive David Coulter wants you and your family to have the most current information about COVID-19 and how to stay safe.

Please go to OakGov.com/COVID for current information about the disease, ways to protect you and your family, and to find a host of timely and useful resources.

  • If you have immediate health-related questions, please call Nurse on Call at 1-800-848-5533 or email [email protected]
  • For non-health questions or requests, contact the Oakland County Help Hotline at (248) 858-1000 or [email protected]
  • If you would like to receive text message alerts with current COVID-19 information, text “oakgov” to 28748.

Oakland County is committed to keeping you safe and informed.

 
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AG Nessel Urges Feds to Stop Discouraging People from Accessing Health Coverage

AG Nessel Urges Feds to Stop Discouraging People from Accessing Health Coverage

by | Apr 6, 2020 | Uncategorized

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Attorney General Nessel wanted to make sure subscribers saw this release, which was also to be issued through the State Emergency Operations Joint Information Center (JIC).

Media Contact:

Kelly Rossman-McKinney
(o) 517-335-7666 (c) 517-512-9342

Courtney Covington
(o) 517-335-7666 (c) 517-290-1560

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, April 6, 2020

AG Nessel Urges Federal Government to Stop Discouraging People from Accessing Health Coverage During Pandemic

Government statement “utterly fails” to encourage coverage, testing  

LANSING — While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health crisis continues, the Trump administration refuses to confirm that accessing health coverage will not impair lawful immigrants’ abilities to stay in the country, asserts a recent letter from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and 17 other attorneys general.

Following a contradictory and confusing alert from the federal government purporting to address the controversy, Attorney General Nessel has again joined a coalition calling on the Trump administration to delay its “public charge” rule while the COVID-19 outbreak spreads across the nation.

“Michigan is home to tens of thousands of legal immigrants who have every legal right to receive health care benefits without facing consequences for accepting them,” said Nessel. “COVID-19 doesn’t care who it infects and that’s evident in its impact on our nation and around the world. The federal government should want to do nothing but ensure all who live in this country have access to the care they need to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. I urge our U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to do the right thing and suspend this rule at least while we’re in the midst of this crisis.”

Federal regulations allow many lawful immigrants to apply for public benefits, such as health care, if they have been in the country for at least five years. The new rule creates a “bait-and-switch” ― if immigrants use the public assistance to which they are legally entitled, they would jeopardize their chances of later renewing their visa or becoming permanent residents.

Nessel is also part of a coalition challenging the rule. The coalition won an injunction in federal district court but an appeals court declined to stay the rule while the case is pending.

The letter was sent March 19 to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) senior official Ken Cuccinelli. It follows a March 6 letter the coalition sent to the same officials calling for the rule’s suspension. Though neither official responded to the initial letter, USCIS posted an “alert” on March 13 that said the government would not consider any form of testing or care related to COVID-19 in immigrants’ public charge assessment, “even if such treatment is provided or paid for by one or more public benefits, as defined in the rule (e.g. federally funded Medicaid).”

However, the letter points out that the alert contains confusing and internally contradictory statements about the impact on non-citizens of using Medicaid.

In their letter, the attorneys general assert: “If DHS is attempting to ensure noncitizens in our communities remain enrolled in Medicaid so they can use Medicaid services should they have symptoms of COVID-19, the Alert fails to achieve this. And likewise, if DHS is attempting to ensure that noncitizens seek testing and treatment for COVID-19 without fear of public charge consequences, the Alert also utterly fails to achieve this.

“Given the grave danger facing our nation’s health and economy, it is imperative that DHS not chill immigrants from enrolling in Medicaid or using Medicaid benefits for any purpose until the COVID-19 crisis is over.

“To protect the residents of our states and the rest of the country, we ask that DHS immediately announce that the Rule is stayed pending successful containment of COVID-19. Short of that, however, it is imperative that DHS at least make clear that enrollment in Medicaid and the use of Medicaid benefits for any reason will not be considered in the public charge assessment.”

Nessel joins the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Washington in sending this letter.

Orion Library Reads Together

by | Apr 6, 2020 | Uncategorized

Orion Reads Together

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Wicket as You Wish by Rin Chupeco
An American Marriage: a Novel by Tayari Jones

#OrionReadsTogether is a community reads event that encourages community members to read one book at the same time. Starting Monday, April 6, we will be using social media to start discussions, plan activities, and host trivia events surrounding the titles.

  • 10am (daily) – Kids & Family
  • 2pm (Mon, Wed, Fri) – Teens
  • 6pm (daily) – Adults

Community members can come together online to discuss and participate in activities at these times, or on their own time as the posts will stay available, encouraging discussion in the comments.

Titles are available for download through Hoopla Digital with a valid OTPL library card.