Emergency Order Requiring Testing

by | Aug 18, 2020 | Uncategorized

Emergency Order Requiring Testing of Agricultural and Food Processing Employees Remains in Effect

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2020
Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, MICH. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon applauded a recent decision by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan regarding a lawsuit challenging the department’s order requiring testing to protect farm and food processing employees from COVID-19. The court denied a temporary restraining order regarding the department’s Emergency Order.

“MDHHS appreciates the judge’s ruling,” said Gordon. “The department’s goal is to save lives during a pandemic that has killed more than 6,300 people in Michigan. At a time when farms, food processing plants and migrant worker camps face 21 outbreaks, the best way to save lives is to support and test these hard-working employees.”

The order, which was announced on Aug. 3, remains in effect. It requires migrant housing camp operators
to provide COVID-19 testing as follows:

  • One-time baseline testing of all residents ages 18 and over.
  • Testing of all new residents with 48 hours of arrival, with separate housing for newly arriving residents for 14 days and a second test 10 – 14 days after arrival.
  • Testing of any resident with symptoms or exposure.

Employers of migrant or seasonal workers, meat, poultry and egg processing facilities and greenhouses with over 20 employees on-site at a time to provide COVID-19 testing as follows:

  • One-time baseline testing of all workers.
  • Testing of all new workers prior to any in-person work.
  • Testing of any worker with symptoms or exposure.

The deadline for businesses to comply is Aug. 24. Those seeking assistance with compliance can email MDHHS-Migrant-Affairs@michigan.gov. Additional information, including a Frequently Asked Question document, is available on the COVID-19 website.

Failure to comply with this order may result in the issuance of a civil monetary penalty under the authority of MCL 333.2262.

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

Insurance and Financial Institutions Remain Available

Insurance and Financial Institutions Remain Available

by | Aug 18, 2020 | Uncategorized

Insurance and Financial Institutions Remain Available to Consumers, Masks Must Be Worn, Except for Identification Purposes

Media Contact: Laura Hall, 517-290-3779, halll17@michigan.gov
Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442, Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 17, 2020

(LANSING, MICH) The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding consumers that insurance and financial institutions continue to be available to Michiganders during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that masks are required to be worn over the nose and mouth to keep employees and customers safe during in-person transactions.

Michigan’s insurance offices, banks, credit unions, lenders, and other insurance and financial institutions are maintaining safe access to essential services for consumers. Customers are encouraged to continue to use drive throughs, online services, and mobile apps where possible. For any in-person services, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-153 requires the wearing of masks covering the nose and mouth in all indoor public spaces. Customers who cannot medically tolerate a face covering may be offered appropriate accommodations while maintaining the safety of employees and other guests, such as services by appointment or drive through. Individuals may be asked to temporarily remove face coverings for identification purposes. Proper confirmation of a customer’s identity before assisting with insurance and financial services is a necessary step to ensure the security of the account holder’s personal information.

Consumers are encouraged to call or check the website of their insurance or financial institution before visiting to learn about additional steps being taken to protect consumer and employee safety, including offering services by appointment or online.

Under Executive Directive 2020-08, signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer Aug. 4, DIFS and other state departments must prioritize enforcement of COVID-19-related laws. Consistent with the Directive, if DIFS becomes aware of non-compliance under the law, DIFS will consider the non-compliance to be presumptive evidence of a public health hazard and take appropriate steps to mitigate any risk to public health and safety. If you suspect that a financial institution or insurance agency is not complying with Executive Order 2020-153, contact DIFS at 877-999-6442 or fill out a complaint form online.

The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/difs or follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Michigan families urged to embrace “power to protect”

by | Aug 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 14, 2020 

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

Michigan families urged to embrace “power to protect” in recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month

LANSING, Mich. – Vaccines are proven to protect people from serious diseases at every age. During National Immunization Awareness Month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges you to talk to your health care provider to ensure you and your family are up-to-date on all recommended vaccines.

National Immunization Awareness Month is observed throughout the month of August and highlights the importance of getting all recommended vaccines throughout your life.

“Vaccinating on time and following CDC’s recommended schedule is the best protection against serious diseases like measles, hepatitis A, whooping cough, cancers caused by HPV, and influenza,” says Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “We have the power to protect not only ourselves, but our entire community, when we vaccinate on time, every time.”

Maintaining routine vaccination is critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. On-time vaccinations protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks, and can help reduce the burden on the health care system. This allows Michigan to conserve medical resources in case they are needed to care for people with COVID-19.

According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), as of June 2020 only 53.9 percent of Michigan children 19 through 35 months of age were fully immunized with recommended vaccines.

MDHHS encourages Michiganders to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout a child’s life. Adults, 19 and older, can take the CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool to find out which vaccines they may need. Routine vaccination is an essential preventive care service for children, adolescents and adults, including pregnant women, that should not be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is important that all Michiganders are up-to-date on recommended vaccines.

Parents should contact their child’s health care provider to find out what vaccines their child needs, schedule an appointment, and discuss the safety measures put in place to protect patients. If insurance coverage has been disrupted during this unprecedented time or there is concern about being able to afford childhood vaccines, there is a program that can help.

The Michigan Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines for children through age 18 years who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured, American Indian, or Alaska Native. Parents can contact their health care provider or local health department for more information. Please be aware the health departments remain active with COVID-19 response and may provide limited services at this time; call ahead for details.

During National Immunization Awareness Month, MDHHS joins Franny Strong Foundation, with whom it partners with on the I Vaccinate campaign, and other organizations across the nation to spread the message that vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect health and lower risks for certain diseases and cancers. MDHHS will be sharing information and resources on social media to highlight the importance of vaccines. Help us spread the word. Follow the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Facebook and Twitter (@MichiganHHS), and use #ivax2protect to share why you choose to vaccinate.
Coronavirus-Focused Virtual Business Workshops

Coronavirus-Focused Virtual Business Workshops

by | Aug 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

Coronavirus-Focused Virtual Business Workshops Among Several Offered By Oakland County Small Business Team

​Pontiac, Michigan – Business owners and entrepreneurs who may have had their operations or aspirations interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic have a chance to get back on track with the help of expert business counselors from Oakland County’s small business team.

The center is offering a series of workshops as part of its September schedule that focus on business strategies for responding to the pandemic, including:

  • Pivoting Your Business to Thrive in a New Environment
  • Market Trends During the Coronavirus Crisis – Consumers Have Changed, Will You?
  • How to Write a Business Plan in the New Economy

“We encourage business owners and entrepreneurs to take advantage of these workshops which are tailored to giving useful direction and strategies to help business owners chart a course for success,” County Executive David Coulter said. “Our economic development small business team is anxious to help you and your business through the pandemic or help you formalize your entrepreneurial vision.”

All workshops are free unless otherwise noted and require pre-registration. The September workshop schedule is:

A 360° Perspective on Your Business
Sept. 1 | 11 a.m. – noon | https://bit.ly/33vnohj
When everything is important all the time, the question becomes “what do we focus on now?”
In this workshop, you’ll be introduced to GrowthWheel to help you quickly evaluate where you’re at with your business and where to focus if you want to grow the company. This workshop is designed to help existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Starting a Business
Sept. 2 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | https://bit.ly/33zOWC4
Thinking about starting a business? We can help. This virtual workshop is designed for individuals who are at the beginning stages of starting a business. Topics like startup
costs, financing options and business planning are introduced along with the steps to get started. This workshop is for startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Startup Cash Analysis – Don’t Get in Over Your Head
Sept. 8 | 1 – 2 p.m. | https://bit.ly/33ygIip
Get ahead of the curve, prepare for the next steps and don’t get in over your head. This virtual workshop helps new entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of the cash demands required to successfully start a business. With 50 percent of small businesses failing within the first five years, proper startup cash analysis is paramount to a successful launch. Concepts found in the Startup Cash Analysis Workbook (course materials) and estimating cash needs will be covered. Don’t be a statistic. Register today. This workshop is for pre-start businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

CEED Lending Small Business Loan Orientation
Sept. 9 | 9 – 11 a.m. | https://bit.ly/33Ffrq1
If your business is in Oakland County and you need alternative financing, consider a CEED Lending Small Business Loan. The workshop introduces you to the requirements and process necessary to qualify for a CEED loan. CEED Lending is an initiative of Great Lakes Women’s Business Council.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Pivoting Your Business to Thrive in a New Environment
Sept. 10 | 1 – 2 p.m. | https://bit.ly/3knZb2C
Successful businesses pivot to adjust to changing times. New business realities due to COVID-19 require that many new and well-established businesses re-evaluate their business models. This virtual workshop covers three areas of your business that hold clues on how to successfully pivot your business and stay alive. This workshop is for existing and startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Market Trends During the Coronavirus Crisis:
Consumers have Changed, Will You?
Sept. 15 | 1 – 2 p.m. | https://bit.ly/30zJk8Z
New customer expectations necessitate changes in business practices. This virtual workshop will help you understand customer expectations, incomes and spending habits during the era of COVID-19. Learn more about changes in consumer behavior for business-to-customer (B2C) businesses and identify consumer behaviors that are likely to stick long term. This workshop is for existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

From Good Idea to Great Concept
Sept. 16 | 9 – 11 a.m. | https://bit.ly/3kjtw1Y
A great idea is just the first step along an entrepreneurial journey. Learn how to take your idea and build a great business concept that you can implement. Hear how to move from idea to concept and how successful entrepreneurs adjust their concept to give themselves the best chance at creating a successful business. This workshop is for startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

How to Write A Business Plan in The New Economy
Sept. 17 | 11 a.m. – Noon | https://bit.ly/3igFAzc
So, you’ve decided that it’s finally time to write that business plan everyone says you need.
Excited? Dreading it? Not sure where to start? We can help! Follow along with our step-by-step Prepare a business plan that gives your business direction, defines your objectives, maps out strategies to achieve your goals and helps you to manage possible bumps in the road. This workshop is designed for entrepreneurs who are interested in writing their first business plan or want to Improve a plan to get their business to the next level. This workshop is for existing and startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Projecting Cash Flow – Overcoming Business Interruptions and Beyond
Sept. 22 | 1 – 2 p.m. | https://bit.ly/33AMJqe
This may be the most important class a small business owner will ever take. This virtual workshop helps you gain a greater understanding of the cash demands required to successfully manage a business, including an introduction to the use and concepts found in the Cash Flow Projection Workbook (course materials). A good cash flow management system is paramount to the success of your business. This workshop is for new and existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required.

Gov. Whitmer announces MI Mask Aid

by | Aug 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

COVID-19 Header Banner with logo v2
The COVID-19 Update provides the latest news and resources to help community partners plan, prepare, and respond to the coronavirus outbreak.

Video: August 14 Press Conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znFCxpgJbIM

august 14 press conference

Latest News

Gov. Whitmer announces MI Mask Aid: 4 million free masks to protect vulnerable populations from COVID-19

Four million free masks are being provided to Michigan residents who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 through a partnership involving MDHHS, Ford Motor Company and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These masks will be distributed throughout the state in upcoming weeks. Those interested in receiving a free mask can contact their local Community Action Agency or local DHHS office. Download a list of locations that have already received masks for distribution. Please note that availability may vary by location.

Michigan families urged to embrace “power to protect” in recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month

Vaccines are proven to protect people from serious diseases at every age. Maintaining routine vaccination is critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. On-time vaccinations protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks, and can help reduce the burden on the health care system. During National Immunization Awareness Month, MDHHS urges you to talk to your health care provider to ensure you and your family are up-to-date on all recommended vaccines.

Additional food assistance for 350,000 Michigan families in response to COVID-19 extended through August

Approximately 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits during August as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance for March through July – and now that is being extended for the month of August with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

Governor Whitmer extends protections for nursing home residents and staff, grocery store workers

The governor continued to protect Michigan’s frontline workers in grocery stores, pharmacies and long-term care facilities by signing Executive Orders 2020-168 and 2020-169. The governor’s orders extend existing safety measures, including 2 hours a week of reserved shopping time for vulnerable populations, to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies.

Take Action – How You Can Help

Mask Up, Michigan

Wear a mask or cloth face covering every time you leave home, stay 6 feet from others and continue to stay home as much as possible.

Contain COVID

Michigan is using this 1-2-3 plan to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. By taking this seriously and doing their part, all Michiganders can be part of the solution.

Connect to Care Jobs Portal

Licensed long-term care facilities are looking to hire additional health care workers due to demands by COVID-19.

Resources

MI Safe Start Restrictions Map

This table and map attempt to summarize Governor Whitmer’s executive orders related to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Testing for Agricultural Workers

To help protect the health and safety of Michigan’s agricultural and food processing employees, MDHHS Director Robert Gordon has issued an Emergency Order requiring routine COVID-19 testing.

Executive Orders & Directives

An updated list of the COVID-19 Executive Orders and Directives.

masks
Residents & Communities Button
Health Care Professionals
Child Care & School Admins Button
Employers & Workers Button


For the most current information, please visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

by | Aug 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

Friday, August 14, 2020

MHSAA Moves Football to the Spring.

Written Friday August 14th at 5:00 PM
Updated Saturday August 15th at 1:30 PM

The MHSAA has made their decision.

The MHSAA Representative Council according to a press release announced that Football will be moved from Fall to Spring because of the sport’s higher risk of spread of the coronavirus.

The league also decided to keep volleyball and boys soccer in the fall. They are expected to get additional guidance on Wednesday surrounding those two sports.

The decision affects 34,000 players along with their coaches and families.

Football was deemed a high risk sport because of their physical contact with other players. The decision was made based on consultation with state health officials and after surveying the schools progress it was made to move it to spring.

“No one is willing to take the risk of COVID being passed on because of a high risk sport. Decisions have to be made on our other sports as well but none of those carry the same close, consistent, and face to face contact as football” said MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl in a press release.

“At the end of the day, we did everything we could to find a path forward for football this fall but while continuing to connect with the Governor’s office, state health department officials, our member schools personnel, and the council, there’s just too much uncertainty and too many unknowns to play football this fall” Uyl concluded.

“As your coach preaches E+R O. Know that we all share in the disappointment that you have but we will look forward to the spring. We are so proud of how you have performed in the last six weeks. You have done all we have asked you to do. We will all try and see the big picture, do our part, support one another, and handle this together. The Dragons Football teams will have their day. Stay strong” said Lake Orion Athletic Director Chris Bell on Twitter to his football program.

“I respect the MHSAA for what they decided. It took a lot of guts. They had the kids best interest in their mind but also the grandparents that comes to games and coaches too. We almost lost a guy like Tony (Adams coach Tony Patritto) so if you look at the picture it’s a good thing” said Clarkston coach Kurt Richardson to the Detroit News.

There could be several big names that might not play spring football in Garrett Dellinger (Clarkston), Rocco Splinder (Clarkston), Blake Kosin (Clarkston), and Donovan Edwards (West Bloomfield) as they are expected to graduate and enroll early.

The MHSAA announced on July 17th that the seasons would go on as normal but they did say that they could move volleyball, football, and boys soccer to the spring if things were deemed unsafe but they decided to go with sending football to the spring.

Volleyball and swimming and diving are indoor sports and most of Michigan is in Phase Four under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Safe Start plan. A decision there is expected next week when those teams are allowed to be back indoors.

Uyl noted that with football moving to the spring, the league will work to limit the overlap between the traditional spring sports and football. Details for the spring football season will be announced in a couple of months. “While this is tremendously disappointing we will do everything possible to provide the best possible experience in the spring while adding football into the calendar” Uyl concluded.

Thoughts.

I’m having a hard time figuring out of this, knowing the pain especially the football players are going through to see their seasons moved to the spring. I know some of them might not play in the spring. I hope that the MHSAA and other athletic departments doesn’t force people (students and coaches) to choose between their respective spring sport and football. It wouldn’t be right.

I get there are people who could lay blame on Whitmer and medical experts but Whitmer gave Uyl the authority to decide the fate of fall sports however there were conversations between her office and Uyl. Some people could also blame the league that they should have made the decision sooner.

It will be interesting to see what happens and how things play out.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

MHSAA Press Release
https://www.mhsaa.com/News/Press-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9189/MHSAA-Announces-Football-to-Move-to-Spring-Season-for-2020-21