George James

“Vacc to Normal Milestone Tracker” Launched to Measure Vaccination Levels

Both state and local health departments are looking to vaccination as the only path to full sports arenas and concert venues, and a return to “normal” after the pandemic. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched the “Vacc to Normal Milestone Tracker” to show the progress the state is making toward the goal of vaccinating as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

Yesterday, Michigan reached its first goal:  55% of residents have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Since the vaccine level is directly tied to the loosening of restrictions, Governor Whitmer announced yesterday that all in-person work can resume in two weeks or on May 24th. 

The next milestone, 60% vaccination, plus two weeks, allows for increased indoor capacity at large venues. The 65% vaccinated level lifts capacity limits but requires continued social distancing.

 Seventy percent is the magic number that lifts Gatherings and Face Masks Orders. 

A link to the “Vacc to Normal” Milestone Tracker:

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_103214-547150–,00.html

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

EGLE Publishes “State of the Great Lakes” Report

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has released the 2020 State of the Great Lakes Report. Some of the topics covered include Asian Carp, high water, algal blooms, and climate change.

EGLE Director Liesl Clark said, “While 2020 had its many challenges, our team didn’t lose its focus on the important work they do related to the health of our Great Lakes. From high water levels to coastal resiliency to testing wastewater for clues to COVID outbreaks to stopping Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, EGLE and its partners went to great lengths to protect our valuable water resources under trying circumstances.”

The St. Clair River is still listed as an area of concern due to “legacy contamination”, but is also listed as a reef-building success story as the sturgeon habitat has been restored after years of destruction from dredging.

Clark said that “EGLE remains committed to partnering on efforts that include protecting the Great Lakes, promoting equity for all residents and planning for the impacts of climate change.”

A link to the full report:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ogl/2020-State-of-the-Great-Lakes-Report_723597_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Imagination Library Receives Large Donation

Having books in the home has been proven to be an indicator of future educational success for children. The Imagination Library Fund of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County is the recipient of a major gift that will keep new books in the hands of young children in St. Clair County for years to come. The estate of Angelina O’Bar has donated $55,000 to the Imagination Library.

O’Bar was an educator who dedicated her career to early childhood education and a creator of the Growing Up Strong curriculum. She had ties to the Blue Water Area as a result of her extensive travels.

Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County said, “When the Imagination Library Fund was created in 2018 it was for building long-term sustainability of the program. The endowment can be thought of as the gift that keeps on giving to allow local children the opportunity to receive one free book each month up until they turn 5 years old.”

The Imagination Library was founded by the entertainer, Dolly Parton and is administered locally by the St. Clair County RESA. Families who sign up for the Imagination Library will receive a free book for a child every month until the age of five.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Scammers Using FEMA Funeral Reimbursements as Way to Get Personal Information

Federal money means potential for scam, and if you thought funeral expenses for COVID victims were off-limits, think again. Scammers are going after grieving families of COVID-19 victims, trying to get personal information in order to steal money.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, is offering help with final expenses for those who have died from COVID since January 20, 2020. According to Michigan’s Office of Attorney General, fraudulent calls are being made to people who lost a loved one to COVID, asking them for personal information. FEMA does not initiate the reimbursement, and they never make unsolicited calls.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “I’ll say it again: bad actors will do whatever it takes to make a quick buck or steal your personal information and that includes taking advantage of your grief. FEMA will not contact you until you have called their agency or applied for assistance. Anyone who contacts you unsolicited and claims to be a government employee or from FEMA is a scammer.” 

Nessel advises to hang up on the callers. If the callers did get personal information, it should be reported to the Office of the Michigan Attorney General. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Beeler: Pregnant and Parenting Student Fund Could Get Support from Tax Return Donations

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, has introduced a bill that would add another category for optional state tax return donations. Beeler has proposed adding a donation box on tax returns for aid to pregnant and parenting students at universities. 

House Bill 4779 would allow taxpayers to donate $5, $10, or more from their tax return to the Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Fund. The fund supports college and university offices that direct students to resources for health care, housing, childcare, academic scheduling, and parent education. 

Beeler ran on a pro-life platform and stated that this is truly pro-life legislation that helps families by keeping parents in school by connecting them to resources. It also does so without raising taxes, which is another platform that Beeler embraces. 

Beeler stated, “Education can provide a better future for many Michigan families. To aid these families, the Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Fund was created with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2004, and my plan will let taxpayers provide their support by a simple indication on their tax returns.”

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Tax Policy.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Order Loosens Some Mask, Testing Requirements

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced a change to the Emergency Order requiring mask-wearing. Masks are no longer mandated for outdoor gatherings under 100 people. Fully vaccinated people with no symptoms of being sick can take off the mask at indoor residential gatherings, also.

The order goes into effect May 6 and goes until May 31st, at which time further guidance will likely be issued.

MDHHS has also backed off a little bit on the mandatory testing for athletes involved in school sports, but only if they are vaccinated. The vaccine is only available to those ages 16 and over right now.

According to the order, “Based on the most current CDC Guidance, fully vaccinated individuals can gather for the purposes of sports practice or competition without testing if they are asymptomatic.”

Masks are still required for indoor sports, but not for non-contact practice and games when outdoors. Individual districts can decide to still require masks if they think it is necessary.

Athletes are still required to quarantine, and miss their practices and games, if they have been deemed a close contact of someone testing positive, whether they are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or not.

The full order can be found at:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/FINAL_-_Masks_and_Gatherings_order_-_5-4-21_724221_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland