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Local News

New Groups Can Register for Vaccine in Lambton

Sarnia, Ontario — Lambton County essential frontline workers who cannot work from home are now eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccine appointment, along with individuals who are 40 years old now or will be in 2021.

In addition to those groups, high-risk health care workers, dialysis patients, and all first Nations, Inuit and Metis individuals can book their second dose of the vaccine earlier than the extended four-month interval. This insures that those groups who are at higher risk for serious illness with COVID-19 reach a greater level of immunity to the virus sooner.

Lambton Public Health noted that clinics are booking quickly, so if residents try to register and find that clinics are fully booked, they should check back often as additional clinics will be added as vaccine supply is confirmed.

As of the beginning of May, approximately 800,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were expected to arrive in Ontario each week. Doses of vaccine administered per week should increase to 940,000 by the end of the month. There are currently 73 active cases of COVID-19 in Lambton County.

Vaccine appointments for Lambton County residents can be registered for at GetTheVaccine.ca 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act Discussed in House Committee

House Bill 4667, the COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act, has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives to stem any future requirements of needing to prove vaccination to a state or government entity. Fines for violation are part of the bill.

Speaking to the House Oversight Committee, Lori Roman, President of the American Constitutional Rights Union Action Fund spoke against any so-called “vaccine passport” and quoted Benjamin Franklin, saying, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” 

China, Japan, and the European Union all have some level of vaccine passport in the works, and Canada’s Health Minister has endorsed the idea. Some American colleges and universities are already requiring proof of Covid vaccination for on-campus students and children have been required to show proof of several routine vaccinations for enrollment in public schools for decades.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, strongly opposes vaccine passports and is a co-sponsor of the bill.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to be Installed Locally, Statewide

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is granting over $1.8 million to install more charging stations for electric vehicles. The Blue Water Area is on track to have eight of those stations.

Sunrise Stores LLC received the largest disbursement of “Charge Up” grant money- $200,000- to install eight charging stations at their Fort Gratiot, Smiths Creek, Capac, and Kimball locations. Speedy Q Market in Port Huron received a $50,000 grant for two outlets. TNT Equipment in Sandusky received a grant for $70,000 to install four outlets.

The “Charge Up” grants are being awarded to install fast-charging stations that will add 88 outlets along key travel routes statewide. The new outlets are part of a plan to make it possible to travel in electric vehicles with no worries about finding a charging station across Michigan and with connection to high-traveled Midwest and Canadian Routes. The stations are for both private and commercial electric vehicles. 

The new fast-charging electric vehicle charging outlets are expected to be up and running by the end of the year. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Beeler Hosts Office Hour in Sandusky

State Representative Andrew Beeler is inviting the members of his district to join him at a Sandusky Diner for a Q & A session.

Interested persons can meet with Beeler on Saturday, May 22nd, from 11 AM to 12 PM at the Sandusky Family Diner located at 422 Sanilac Road in Sandusky.

The meeting is open to all, and Beeler will be available discuss his legislative work in the state Capitol, answer questions, and provide assistance to his constituents.

For those who would like to communicate with Beeler but can’t make the meeting, he can be reached at his office by phone at 517-373-0835 or by email at AndrewBeeler@house.mi.gov.

Beeler represents Michigan’s 83rd House district, which includes all of Sanilac County and Burtchville Township, Fort Gratiot Township, and the city of Port Huron in St. Clair County.

 

Senate Tries Again with Broadband Internet Tax Incentive Bill

In a reaction to Governor Gretchen Whitmer rejecting a similar House Bill, the Michigan State Senate has approved legislation to expand broadband access to underserved areas of the state.

Whitmer vetoed the House Bill claiming it did not provide enough coverage at high enough speeds. The Senate bill meets the speed requirements demanded by the governor in her veto explanation. The speed required is a minimum download speed of 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of at least 3.0 megabits per second.

The legislation is actually a tax bill that provides tax exemptions for entities that invest in broadband equipment to increase availability and speeds. The tax incentives are hoped to bring internet to the rural and urban areas that are lacking reliable service.

According to non-partisan state bill analysis, 94.5% of Michigan households already have the desired connectivity. Still, the need for reliable and fast internet service has affected 100% of the state as both work and school have been forced to go online for at least some of the time during the pandemic.

The bill has been presented to the Governor for approval.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“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