Local News

The coronavirus pandemic spreading around the world is leaving economic destruction in its path. Restaurants across St. Clair County and Lambton County have closed. Local auto showrooms are closed. Small businesses of every sort have been shuttered. However, clothing stores that were already struggling may feel the long-term impact even more than others.

Retailers were poised to sell their spring line of clothing, but they still have much of their winter clothing in stock. With schools and businesses closed and social gatherings and large celebrations essentially banned, the impact is compounded. Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot wass already reeling from the closure of many of its larger anchor stores, and small stores in downtown Port Huron, like The Closet, MI Passion, District 43, and Patrick & James were just starting to get established.

An interview this week with Anita Varty of MI Passion revealed the creative measures shop owners are putting in place to stay afloat. Anita is increasing her social media presence, taking online orders, and doing curbside or porch delivery for her customers. Her grand re-opening was interrupted by the pandemic, but she is staying positive and looking forward to welcoming customers into her new space at 217 Huron Avenue next to Kate’s Downtown.

Karen Palka, from The Closet by A Beautiful Me, a specialty dress store in downtown Port Huron, told WGRT that she remains optimistic that business will bounce back. Her team is also focusing on increasing The Closet’s social media presence and encouraging the business owners and community members around them. The Closet will be showcasing several nonprofits in their window display to promote community spirit and encourage gratitude.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Canada’s only producer of a key chemical used in manufacturing hand sanitizer is located in Corunna, just south of Sarnia.  Shell’s Corunna refinery is donating 125,000 litres of the key chemical to the Canadian government free of charge.

The donation  is being made to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for use in the health-care sector, and their exclusive focus right now is the manufacture of hand sanitizer. The volume of isopropyl alcohol, or IPA, to be donated over the next three months is enough to create nearly one-million 12-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer.

Shell’s Corunna refinery, normally sells the chemical to a few customers in the United States that, in turn, manufacture hand sanitizer for stores across Canada and the U.S.  The  chemical produced in Sarnia is also being sold to other customers who use it for health-related purposes.  The CDC recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol as the preferred form of hand hygiene.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

As we cope with the COVID-19 crisis, many of us need a reminder that other social problems continue to take place and can even accelerate in times like these. April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and essential services are still in place that can help victims get the help they need.

Christina Flood, Executive Director of Healing Hearts Home, said, “The quarantine, labeled “Stay Safe, Stay Home”, is adversely affecting the overall safety and health of those who are most vulnerable. Especially, for individuals living in unsafe homes. They are at risk while they are in isolation, due to the fact that they are not physically visible and are separated from mandated reporters and others who can help them be safe in their home. We all must work together. If you suspect someone is being abused, know someone is being abused, or are being abused yourself, please call the Michigan abuse hotline at 855-444-3911.”

Michigan’s Sexual Assault Hotline 855-VOICES4 provides 24/7 immediate crisis counseling and referrals to community based sexual assault programs across the state. There was an extension to the hotline added last year that now allows survivors to text 8666-238-1454 for support.

Sexual assault is broadly defined as any form of unwanted sexual contact obtained without consent. National statistics show that one in three women and one in six men experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime. In times of crisis, abuse rates may actually increase as financial pressures, stress, and social distancing directives put additional strain on the poor coping skills and the addictive behaviors of abusers.

For local options, contact:

Blue Water Safe Horizons Crisis Line: 888-985-5538 www.bwsh.org

Healing Hearts Home: 586-727-0674 www.healingheartshome.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 14th at 5:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 27,001 confirmed cases; 1,768 deaths
• St. Clair County: 223 confirmed cases; 7 deaths
• Ontario: 7,953 confirmed cases; 334 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 119 confirmed cases; 11 deaths

The Blue Water Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual St. Clair County Town Hall Meeting on April 15th featuring speakers from several sectors of business, government, and emergency management to discuss how the County is responding to the pandemic. Information obtained in that meeting will be featured in the COVID-19 Blue Water Area Community Update tomorrow.

The City of Sarnia decided to close the boat launch at Sarnia Bay in Centennial Park. It will be closed as of 10 PM tonight. The Province of Ontario has extended the State of Emergency which ensures the continuation of all emergency orders currently in effect until April 23, 2020.

Please continue to reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

• Centers for Disease Control:  cdc.gov/coronavirus
• State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/coronavirus  or Info Hotline  1-888-535-6136 Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov
• St. Clair County Health Department: COVID-19 Info Hotline (810) 966-4163 Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org
• St. Clair County Community Mental Health COVID-19 Support Line (810) 985-8900, available Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Lambton Public Health: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
• City of Sarnia COVID-19 Hotline: 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642)

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

A growing number of Michigan residents think Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order has gone too far. Included in that number are members of The Michigan Conservative Coalition who have organized a protest at the capital on Wednesday, April 15th at noon. As of the time of this story, more than 500 people have agreed to participate in a drive-by protest.

Drivers from around the state are planning to slowly circle the capital building beginning at noon with flags and signs, according to a Facebook page featuring more than 5,000 interested participants. A group calling itself ”Michiganders Against Excessive  Quarantine” has more than 260,000 members on their public group Facebook page. The general theme expressed in many of the posts is that Governor Whitmer has required many restrictions, some of which seem excessive and unnecessary.

Another group is gathering signatures to initiate a recall of the Michigan governor. The petition virtually signed by more 120,000 people reads in part, “Her failure’s during the COVID-19 Coronavirus is causing more Michiganders to get sick. Closing and banning various non essential business’s and activities while leaving others open. Further promoting the pandemic.”

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Sex trafficking survivor turned advocate, Elixa Bleu, says the Coronavirus Shutdown is a  ‘Perfect Storm’ for Abuse.  According to Bleu, it is already starting.

“Pre-teens and teens at home alone with their parents for days on end due to school closures will be groomed by predators online…they will be promised a ‘better life’ if they run away,” said Bleu.  Statistics show that the  average runaway is trafficked within 48 hours of leaving home.

Bleu said parents and guardians need to be “extra vigilant” when monitoring their child’s online activity during the quarantine. She provides these safety tips that should be communicated to minors:

•  Never share pictures of yourself online that you wouldn’t want to be seen by your family.
• Set user profiles to private so only real friends can get access.
• Know who you’re chatting with.
• Don’t share personal information online such as your full name, school, address or phone number, or user passwords.
• Don’t meet up in person with anyone you met online.
• Report suspected abuse to law enforcement or a trusted adult.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline, which is always available is 1-888-373-7888.