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Local News

Vote by Mail Applications Coming Soon

All registered voters in the State of Michigan will have a chance to vote by mail in the August and November elections. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced yesterday that applications will be mailed to all registered Michiganders.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, people have been more concerned with the safety of voting in person. The May 5th election experienced a record breaking turnout of 25% with 99% of votes cast by mail or drop box. Typical voter turnout for May elections is around 12%.

Registered voters will receive an application to vote by mail from the Bureau of Elections which will include instructions. The application will need to be signed and mailed back to their local clerk. Voters can find the application online at Michigan.gov/vote where they can also register to vote and join the permanent absent voter list so they can always have the option to vote by mail.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Shopping Local Farmer’s Markets May Reduce Stress

With many areas of life feeling chaotic since March, where you choose to shop is one thing you can control. As weather begins to warm up, many people are anticipating the opening of farmer’s markets and roadside produce stands as more enjoyable and less stressful options for picking up essential food items.

Amanda Shreve, Executive Director for the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), said “Michigan is home to more than 300 farmers markets. Each market will make important decisions about how and when to open for the season with the safety of their vendors, employees and patrons in mind.”

MIFMA provided their farm market network with online tools to help establish and communicate standard safety practices for farmer’s markets in light of COVID-19. Shopping local markets offers positive benefits such as knowing where your food comes from, reducing waste from excess packaging, shipping and handling, and supporting local economies.

Visit the Michigan Farm Market Association’s website <HERE>  to find a market in your community. The Vantage Point Farmer’s Market is slated to open on May 30th and continue on Saturdays until Fall.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michigan’s Up North Businesses Can Reopen on Friday

LANSING, Mich. — Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-92, allowing two regions of Michigan to reopen retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely, and restaurants and bars with limited seating. The two regions are both in the northern part of the state—specifically, MERC regions 6 and 8, as detailed in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan to re-engage Michigan’s economy.

Businesses in Regions 6 and 8 can reopen on Friday, May 22nd. Cities, villages, and townships may choose to take a more cautious course if they wish: the order does not abridge their authority to restrict the operations of restaurants or bars, including limiting such establishments to outdoor seating.  

“This is a big step, but we must all remember to continue doing our part to protect ourselves and our families from the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer. “It’s crucial that all businesses do everything in their power to protect their workers, customers, and their families. And as we approach Memorial Day weekend, I encourage everyone to be smart and be safe. My team and I will continue to work around the clock to protect the people of Michigan.” 

“The data shows that these regions in Michigan are seeing consistent encouraging trends when it comes to the number of cases, deaths, and the percent of tests that are positive for COVID-19,” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “It’s important to note that these businesses must take special precautions to protect Michiganders. I also encourage everyone to continue to wear a mask in public, maintain a 6 foot distance from others, and to remain vigilant in washing their hands often.  This will help prevent a second surge in cases in our state.” 

All businesses that will reopen in regions 6 and 8 must adopt the safety measures outlined in Executive Order 2020-91. That means they must, among other things, provide COVID-19 training to workers that covers, at a minimum, workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of PPE, steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, and how to report unsafe working conditions. Restaurants and bars will also have to limit capacity to 50% of their normal seating, to keep groups at least six feet from one another, to require their servers to wear face coverings, and to follow rigorous disinfection protocols. 

Region 6 in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan includes the following counties: Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, and Emmet. 

Region 8 in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan includes the following counties: Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, Iron, Baraga, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee, Delta, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, and Chippewa. 

Laboratory Research Can Resume with Caution

On May 15th, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order allowing laboratory research to resume under stringent precautionary measures. She said this is just one more step toward reopening the Michigan economy and getting people back to work.

Research laboratories will reopen with a long list of new workplace safeguards including daily entry screening protocols for workers, redesigned work spaces and other social distancing directives, and policies for reporting symptomatic individuals. These new safety standards along with training on new disinfecting procedures and the use of PPE seem to be the new norm for every sector as they reengage their employees and go back to work.

“I want to thank Michiganders for doing their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve,” Governor Whitmer said. “As we continue to reopen other industries across our state it’s critical to do so with care, patience and vigilance to ensure the progress we’ve made in slowing the spread of this virus is not compromised.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Homeland Security Warns Public About COVID-19 Related Crime

Operation Stolen Promise is an initiative by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department of Homeland Security Investigations to target COVID-19 related fraud and other criminal activity. The pandemic has opened the door to a wide variety of criminal activity such as check fraud, counterfeit pharmaceuticals and test kits, and cyber crime.

The department released a report on May 12th sharing some of their successes, including 14 criminal arrests, 21 disruptions of illicit activity, and 531 seizures of COVID-19 related counterfeit test kits, pharmaceuticals, and Personal Protective Equipment.

Homeland Security Investigations is asking the public to help them with the initiative by recognizing criminal activity, protecting themselves and others, and reporting COVID-19 related crime. Consumers should be on alert for cybercrime, price gouging, email phishing scams, and prohibited pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

For more information visit www.ice.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

MediLodge of St. Clair Releases COVID-19 Data on Residents

There have been several inquiries directed at MediLodge of St. Clair asking for details on those who have contracted and died from COVID-19. This weekend, officials from MediLodge responded by providing a number of statistics. They also noted that because of privacy laws they cannot release information about individual patients.

On May 15, 2020, MediLodge of St. Clair reported a cumulative total of 68 COVID-19 positive residents, and 31 active cases.  MediLodge of St. Clair has been working with the St. Clair County Health Department to develop and deliver a comprehensive COVID-19 testing plan for residents and staff. The St. Clair County Health Department is assisting in the facilitation of the universal testing strategy to identify currently asymptomatic residents/staff at the facility and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. All current residents have been previously tested. Testing of staff and additional testing of residents will begin early next week.

Bill Gray, Media Director at MediLodge, said in a written statement, “MediLodge of St. Clair is dedicated to the health and safety of all residents and staff. The facility will continue following all government guidelines for safety and prevention protocols, infection control measures, and work closely with St. Clair County Health Department officials.”

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn