George James

MDHHS Targeting Ads at Vaccine Skeptics

No one wants the COVID-19 pandemic over with more than the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. They have been at the forefront of both managing the state’s response to the virus and promoting vaccination. The latest campaign by the MDHHS is a $1.5 million multimedia program designed to help Michiganders feel more comfortable with the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

There is significant hesitancy in getting the vaccine. According to MDHHS, 66% of Michiganders are likely or very likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine and 34% would like to get it as soon as possible. They report that 47% of white Michiganders are very likely to get the vaccine while only 25% of black Michiganders are very likely to get the vaccine.

The reasons that people don’t want to get the vaccine include concerns about side effects, reluctance to be a “test subject”, needing to know more about the vaccine’s safety, wanting to know more about the long-term performance of the vaccine, questions about effectiveness, and concerns about political motivations to pushing the vaccine through safety tests. 

The multimedia campaign will target the concerns and promote the safety of the vaccine. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Settles with DEA Over “Prescribing Irregularities”

McLaren Health Care entered into a legal settlement with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices pertaining to retail pharmacy operations at McLaren Port Huron.

According to a press release from McLaren, the agreement stems from a lengthy effort with the DEA, which discovered “prescribing irregularities” in 2018, which led to the firing of a pharmacist who was diverting opioids for personal use. The DEA found problems with recordkeeping, dispensing, and distributing controlled substances dating back to before McLaren acquired Port Huron Hospital.

April Rudoni, Interim Compliance Director and Chair of McLaren’s Controlled Substance Oversight Committee, said, “Our health system takes compliance very seriously and regrets any instance in which we do not meet our regulators’ requirements or our own high standards. From the moment the DEA’s first concern was brought to our attention we have worked diligently to strengthen protocols across our system. I am proud of the culture of accountability and compliance we maintain and look forward to continued collaboration with the DEA moving forward.”

McLaren reportedly paid over $7.7 million in the settlement and entered into a three-year plan to prevent future violations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Anthony’s Autism Awareness” Provides Sensory Boxes to Emergency Vehicles

Emergency vehicles throughout the county are now equipped with sensory boxes for use in assisting in contacts with people on the autism spectrum. The sensory boxes are being assembled and donated by Anthony’s Autism Awareness, a local non-profit.

The Marysville Police/Fire/EMS department, Port Huron City Police, Port Huron Fire Department, Fort Gratiot Fire Department, and St. Clair County Sheriff are the latest recipients of the boxes and the hope is to get more sensory boxes in the hands of more departments. Sensory boxes contain items like fidget spinners and small toys that might help those on the spectrum with relaxation during a stressful situation.

Anthony’s Autism Awareness is accepting donations to help buy the items. The boxes cost about $7 each with the goal being to have them in every police car or emergency responder vehicle in St. Clair County.

The mission of the non-profit is to “encourage awareness, acceptance and understanding in the community and offer support and resources to people with autism, and their families”.

More information is on the Anthony’s Autism Awareness Facebook page.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Cautious Optimism With State Budget Projections

Consensus has been reached in Michigan’s budget projection for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021 and upcoming 2022 and 2023 fiscal years by the State Treasurer, State Budget Director, Senate Fiscal Agency, and House Fiscal Agency. The change from January to August for 2021 is a reduction of $2.47 billion. The change from January to August 2022 is a reduction of $1.72 billion.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “While the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on our economy, the state of Michigan has outperformed national averages in a number of areas. While still down more than $1 billion compared to before the pandemic, today the state’s revenues were raised upwards primarily due to direct and indirect impacts from the federal stimulus.”

Eubanks went on to caution that the recovery depends on “the course of the pandemic and the additional economic relief coming from Washington D.C. There is cautious hope and optimism as we move forward as vaccines are administered, and we begin to put the pandemic behind us.”

Revenue estimates are based on the most recent economic projections and forecasting models. A link to the full report:

Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (mi.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan’s Environmental Justice Public Advocate Works Toward “Meaningful Involvement”

Michigan continues to make national headlines with the Flint water crisis, thought to be one of the most shocking examples of environmental injustice in modern history. Since then, Michigan’s Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate was created and has just announced the launch of a new resource to connect residents with environmental justice and equity action. The website, Michigan.gov/EnvironmentalJustice is meant to showcase ongoing projects and initiatives, community partnerships, and ways to interact with the office.

One of the projects that the Office is currently working on is improving heating and ventilation systems in schools. Tribal relations are also part of the work of the office.

Regina Strong, Environmental Justice Public Advocate, said, “Action is at the heart of environmental justice advocacy. The role of the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate is to work collaboratively within state government and with the community to move toward ensuring environmental justice in the state. This new website is designed to provide a window into how we are moving the needle.”

A responsibility of the Office is to address and resolve environmental justice concerns and complaints. A link to the complaint form can be found at WGRT.com.

Environmental Justice – Grievance Procedures, Procedimientos de reclamo, إجراءات التظلم (michigan.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDOT Wants You to Name a Snowplow

The Michigan Department of Transportation, MDOT, has announced a snowplow naming contest. That’s right. Snowplows will have names. How about Plowasaurus? Sir Salts-a-Lot, or maybe Plowy McPlowface? Those are names that have already been selected, but the state has a fleet of 250 plows and more need naming.

Not only will snowplows be named, but they can be viewed in real time while plowing snow with the “Mi Drive map”, an online resource that shows where the plows are and provides dashcam footage.

MDOT Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “We hoped this could be both fun and instructive and we’re thrilled with the participation from students and others in the community. I love many of the suggestions, and I can’t wait to see more.”

School and community groups can go online to learn how to name a snowplow. According to MDOT, name suggestions must be G-rated and family friendly, and submissions that include famous, character, or brand names cannot be used. Final selection will be made by staff from each of MDOT’s seven regions. St. Clair County is in the Bay Region. 

A link to full details:

www.Michigan.gov/NameMISnowplow 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland