George James

Flying into the U.S.? Covid Testing Required within One Day of Travel

Anyone flying into the United States needs to take a Covid test. The new rule went into effect Monday. It applies even to Americans flying home from abroad.

The testing needs to be done no more than one day before air travel into the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. The discovery of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has prompted the new testing requirement.

The only way to get out of the testing is to have documentation proving that you were infected with Covid within the last 90 days and to be cleared for travel by a public health official or licensed healthcare provider.

The testing applies to anyone age two and older who is flying into the U.S., whether vaccinated or not. The rule does not apply to land crossings, just air travel.

Rapid tests are acceptable, as are home tests, but only if done under the supervision of a telehealth official. If travelers test positive, they will not be allowed to fly and will have to isolate in whatever country they are in. Those who refuse testing may not be allowed to board flights into the U.S.

For more information, go to the News section of WGRT.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

$400 Auto insurance Refunds on the Way

Checks should be in the mail in a few months in the amount of $400 per vehicle as Michigan refunds a portion of auto insurance premiums. The money is coming out of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association fund.

A bipartisan auto insurance reform law was passed in 2019. Those receiving the care from catastrophic claims are not pleased with the cut in benefits that are part of the auto reform laws.

Tom Judd, president of the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council said, “Michigan consumers are absolutely owed a refund on their premiums, because auto insurance companies have gotten away with gouging them for years. But make no mistake: This move cannot be taken as an excuse to shirk the responsibility of caring for victims of catastrophic auto accidents, who paid for no-fault insurance through their premiums.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “These refunds and the recently announced statewide average rate reductions are lowering costs for every Michigan driver.”

Three billion dollars in auto insurance refunds are expected to be refunded to consumers in the second quarter of 2022.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLain’s Patient Advocacy Tracker Act Bill Gets Senate Companion Bill

Bipartisan efforts to increase transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs has led to the introduction of Senate bills to complement U.S. Representative Lisa McLain’ s Patient Advocate Tracker.

McLain, a Republican representing Michigan’s 10th District, which includes most of the Thumb Region, said, “The Patient Advocate Tracker Act is commonsense legislation that will make the VA more transparent and cause less frustrations for our veterans. Veterans deserve the best healthcare possible, and when they receive subpar care, they need to be able to easily report complaints to their patient advocate, track it and get the best outcome possible. This bill will simplify the process and help them track their complaint.”

McLain’s bill was introduced in late October and is awaiting being sent to committee.

A companion Senate bill has been sponsored by Republican John Kennedy of Louisiana and Democrat Raphael Warnock of Georgia. The bills are meant to fast-track getting care concerns to the right person and eliminate the delays to advocacy due to unnecessary bureaucracy in the Veterans Administration.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Urgent Warning Issued for Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana

The Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center has issued an urgent public health alert regarding fentanyl-laced marijuana. We reported in October about a federal Drug Enforcement Agency warning regarding fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. This is a new warning.

There have been reports of patients being treated in emergency rooms for opioid overdoses when they had only smoked marijuana. No laboratory tests have yet confirmed fentanyl-laced marijuana in Michigan, but a review of EMS responses to overdoses has revealed eight probable cases.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advises that marijuana consumers only buy from reputable sources and vendors.

The most common signs of opioid use or overdose are confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and anxiety. Vomiting, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory depression are other symptoms. Exposure to fentanyl can be fatal and those with suspected exposure should call 911 immediately.

Fentanyl exposure is especially deadly for children. MDHHS warns that marijuana products should always be stored where kids can’t get to them.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Governor, AG Change Legal Strategy to Shut Down Line 5 Pipeline

The State of Michigan has voluntarily dismissed its federal lawsuit against Enbridge regarding the Line 5 pipeline. The withdrawal of the litigation is part of a legal strategy to give state courts the final say, according to the office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed suit in state court.

The federal court continued to hear the case, which was the result of Enbridge’s reaction to a shut-down notice from the state, despite previous attempts to send it to state court.  This prompted the voluntary dismissal and the administration’s hope that it can have a favorable state judgment.

Nessel voiced her agreement, saying, “I fully support the Governor in her decision to dismiss the federal court case and instead focus on our ongoing litigation in state court. The state court case is the quickest and most viable path to permanently decommission Line 5” 

Whitmer remains determined to shut down Enbridge’s 68-year-old Line 5 dual oil pipelines that carry 23 million gallons of oil every day under the Straits of Mackinac. Whitmer said, “Our goal here remains the same: protecting the Great Lakes, protecting Michigan jobs, and protecting Michigan’s economy.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland