George James

Legislation Increases Access to Naloxone to Reverse Drug Overdoses

The opioid epidemic is still raging in Michigan. Efforts are underway to help both those struggling with an opioid use disorder and the people who are trying to help them.

Legislation was introduced on Wednesday to expand the availability of treatment in emergency departments and to increase access to naloxone, which can reverse overdoses, to community-based organizations.

Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist said, “This legislation will help bring us closer to ending this epidemic by expanding access to treatment and to life-saving medications which can increase their chances of a successful recovery and prevent additional tragedies among our families.”

The legislation will make it easier for hospitals to access resources if they are treating more than 50 overdoses per year. Brian Peters, Michigan Health & Hospital Association CEO, praised the reforms, saying, “These available resources for hospitals to provide medications for opioid use disorders within their communities will help ensure patients receive the most appropriate care and treatment for their individual healthcare needs.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair County Looking for Input for New Master Plan

St. Clair County is updating its Master Plan and they need help from residents. They have created a website that asks residents what they would like to see in several different aspects of county planning.

One part of the website is a Community Ideas Board with interactive conversations. Right now the conversations include economy, environment, quality of life, recreation, transportation and mobility, and community development.

There is also an interactive map where users can share what they love and don’t love about St. Clair County. The options are for “Something I Like”, “Needs Improvement”, and “Think Big”, where users can share what they do with an area if money was no object.

There is also a survey with a rotating topic. The current topic is “Quality of Life”.

According to the Planning Commission, “A master plan creates a shared vision to enhance the quality of life for everyone in the county.  It provides a road map into the future for the county’s built, economic, and natural environments.”

The survey ends on July 31st of this year. The results will be shared on the webpage. 

https://stclairmpc.mysocialpinpoint.com/masterplan

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MIOSHA Refers to CDC Guidelines Regarding New COVID Rules

With June 22nd being the start of a new era of post-COVID behavior, employers and their employees may be wondering what exactly the updated rules mean.

The message from the Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Administration, MIOSHA, is that it’s up to the employer to use their “best judgement” to determine whether temperature checks, facial covering, and social distancing will continue.

MIOSHA is referring to CDC recommendations when it comes to school and healthcare settings and recommending that in general unvaccinated people still wear masks. Childcare providers are asked to provide non-medical grade masks to unvaccinated employees.

Referring to the repealed restrictions, Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan said, “These updates recognize the great progress we have made in Michigan to contain COVID-19 and the power of vaccinations. We will continue to provide critical workplace protections more focused on areas of increased COVID-19 risk. In non-health care settings, it’s important that all employers recognize that they have a general duty to provide a safe workplace.”

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Future in Question for State’s Lottery

Buying lottery tickets as a way to “support the schools” might not be a valid rationalization if a U.S. Department of Justice ruling sticks. The ruling is being challenged by a coalition of Attorneys General, including Michigan’s, to try to keep lotteries going in order to fund schools and other state-run programs.

There is debate over a ruling pertaining to the federal Wire Act and the possible end of legal state-run lotteries. The interpretation of the Act is in question.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “Billions of dollars are generated through government-operated lotteries annually across this country for critical governmental services including schools, senior citizens programs, first responders, and infrastructure programs. This interpretation threatens this funding source. I am joined by my colleagues today to urge the Department of Justice to adopt the reading of the Wire Act set forth by the First Circuit.” 

More than $80 billion were raised in gross revenues among 47 state lotteries in 2017. Michigan uses lottery money for public education, college scholarships, environmental protection, senior citizens, first responders, and infrastructure projects, among others.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Vigilance Against Scams Needed When Investing in Crypto

Investing in cryptocurrency is growing in popularity. As opportunities to make money grow, the potential for scamming or for misunderstanding the complicated world of digital currency is also on the rise.

The Michigan Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) have issued a joint consumer alert regarding cryptocurrency. The value of the total cryptocurrency market is $2 trillion worldwide.

The state agencies suggest that potential investors research before using a company. Add the word “scam” or “complaint” to your search and see what comes up. Be very cautious when giving personal credit card or bank information or when using Venmo or other payment apps. Also, celebrity endorsements do not mean that a company is legit. It could still be a scam.

Anita Fox of DIFS said, “It pays to do your homework with reputable sources before initiating a transfer or giving out any personal information, and remember that if an offer seems too good to be true – it could be a scam.”   

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Worked Through the Pandemic? One-time Payment Could Be Coming your Way

With legislation in the works to temporarily pay Michigan unemployment recipients to get back to work, those who have faithfully worked throughout the pandemic are saying, “What about us?”

The “Hero Pay” proposal is part of a resolution that would provide one-time payments to essential employees who worked through the pandemic. The resolution is supported by Governor Whitmer and would be paid with federal money.

Resolutions were introduced by Democratic Senator Marshall Bullock of Detroit and Democratic Representative Cynthia Neeley of Flint.

Whitmer said, “The hundreds of thousands of folks who worked through the pandemic to keep the rest of us going embody what being a Michigander is all about: you care for your neighbors, you work hard, you get it done no matter the odds. We must ensure they have the support they need to thrive as we emerge from the pandemic together.”

The specifics as to who would get the money, how much they would get, and when they would get it have yet to be figured out by the legislature and the Governor’s Office. A one-time $1000 stipend and a $2 per hour raise were given out to some front-line workers earlier in the pandemic.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland