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Local News

American Red Cross Critical Need for Blood Donations

April Blood Drives

Upcoming Blood Drives in the Blue Water Area:

 

St. Clair 

4/14/20:  12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, K of C, 3501 Rattle Run Road

Port Huron

4/15/20: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, YMCA of the Blue Water Area, 1525 3rd Street

4/16/20: St. Clair County Administration Bldg., 200 Grand River Ave.

North Street

4/28/20: North Street United Methodist Church, 4580 North Road

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive.

TCF Center Detroit

TCF Center Detroit Transforms Into Field Hospital

On Sunday, March 29th, 2020,  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement accepting the recommendation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an alternative care facility in Detroit.  Now, the Corps of Engineers is overseeing construction at the TCF Center, formerly know as Cobo Hall in Detroit, as it’s being converted into a medical facility.

The plan calls for insuring that Michigan has adequate medical space during the COVID-19 pandemic. FEMA is fundingconstruction and supplies for the site which will have approximately 900 beds and stations for medical personnel.  The site is being designed with negative pressure specifically for coronavirus patients who need oxygen.

In a statement, Governor Whitmer said – “The State of Michigan is working around the clock and doing everything we can to slow the spread of the coronavirus. We are proud to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the TCF Center to expand capacity in Detroit. By mobilizing quickly to construct a large alternate care facility in Detroit, we can help save lives.”

Federal officials are focusing on Wayne County as an emerging coronavirus hot spot as the city of Detroit alone surpassed 2,400 confirmed cases this week.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Ford Ventilators

Ford Working to Build 50,000 Ventilators

Ford is responding to the Trump administration’s call to to step up and build medically necessary equipment.  Ford has announced a partnership with GE to build 50,000 ventilators over the next 100 days.

The ventilators will be built at a plant in Michigan in cooperation with GE’s healthcare unit. The companies will then build 30,000 per month as needed to treat patients afflicted with the coronavirus. They hope to finish at least 50,000 over the next 100 days.

Ford said the simplified ventilator design, which is licensed by GE Healthcare from Florida-based Airon Corp and has been cleared by the FDA, can meet the needs of most COVID-19 patients. Production will start in late April at Ford’s Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti. It will produce the ventilators nearly around the clock, with 500 paid volunteer UAW-represented employees working on three shifts. Airon currently produces three Airon pNeuton Model A ventilators per day in Melbourne, Florida.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Blue Water Area COVID-19 Community Update April 2, 2020

Concern for Mental Health Rises as Social Distancing Continues

The main concern officials have at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic is for mental health. Social distancing has had a domino effect in the lives of many as they are cut off from family, friends, and their support in the community.

Deb Johnson, Executive Director of St. Clair County Community Mental Health encourages parents to talk openly with their children. A free, CMH Support Line is now available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.  Anyone age 14 and older can connect with a CMH licensed mental health professional by:

Lambton County Connects is a telephone based program for older adults who live in Lambton County and are feeling isolated and alone. The program is free and offers a way to connect with people without leaving your home. For more information check out Lambton County Connects at LambtonCares.ca

Confirmed cases as of April 2nd at 5:30 PM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 10,791 confirmed cases; 417 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 53 confirmed cases
  • Ontario: 2,793 confirmed cases; 53 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 59 confirmed cases; 6 deaths

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

School is Out for Summer – Seniors Will Graduate

On Thursday, April 2nd, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order directing all K-12 buildings to close for the remainder of the school year. The order is in effect unless restrictions are lifted, and it includes guidelines for remote learning.

“My number one priority right now is protecting Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19. For the sake of our students, their families, and the more than 100,000 teachers and staff in our state, I have made the difficult decision to close our school facilities for the remainder of the school year,” Governor Whitmer said. “As a parent, I understand the challenge closing schools creates for parents and guardians across the state, which is why we are setting guidelines for schools to continue remote learning and ensuring parents have resources to continue their children’s education from the safety of their homes. There is no video chat or homework packet that can replace the value of a highly trained, experienced teacher working with students in a classroom, but we must continue to provide equitable educational opportunities for students during this public health crisis.”

Every school district in Michigan must now create a plan to do what’s best for them and their community. The districts need to ensure their plans are “appropriate, equitable and accessible for students and families”.

The order gives the districts flexibility to adopt new calendars for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and the 2020-2021 academic year. All high school seniors will be given the opportunity to graduate, and all standardized tests will be cancelled.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Scott Crawford Council on Aging

COA Continues Valuable Services to Seniors

St. Clair County Council on Aging has the privilege of caring for the needs of our area’s senior citizens.  Under the leadership of Scott Crawford and his team, the COA continues to see that our local seniors have the meals and the home care that they so desperately need.

WGRT spoke with Scott Crawford on Wednesday, and he said the need in the community is growing.  One hundred fifty new seniors have recently been added to the meal program, and more calls are coming in daily. In an effort to protect the Council’s volunteers, the work is primarily being carried out by paid staff.

Mr. Crawford would like the public to know that appropriate protocols are in place to protect the health of both the seniors and the Council on Aging staff. At this time, hot meals are being delivered to seniors Monday through Thursday with freezer meals being provided for Friday through Sunday. While all the center facilities remain closed to the public, the St. Clair County Council on Aging continues to make home visits to seniors who depend on them, and they are also making phone calls to seniors to check on their wellbeing.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn