COVID Boosters to Nursing Homes First

Governor Whitmer is preparing nursing homes in the State of Michigan to deliver COVID-19 booster shots to residents. She issued an executive directive to state departments and agencies last week, informing them to prioritize booster doses starting with residents of nursing homes and adult foster care centers.

Whitmer said, “Last year, we built the largest vaccine program in our state’s history in record time to ensure that anyone who wanted a vaccine could get one. With booster doses on the horizon, we are reactivating our close partnerships with local health departments and pharmacies to get shots in arms as quickly as possible. We know that this virus still disproportionately affects older Michiganders, which is why I’m also prioritizing booster shots for residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Let’s continue to put the health and safety of Michiganders first, so we can keep our economic jumpstart moving full speed ahead.”

The Biden Administration has recommended booster shots beginning September 20, 2021 for all Americans who had their last vaccine 8 months ago or longer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Some Concerts Requiring Proof of Vaccination

Concerts have been coming back on the calendar in the last month, but due to the ambiguous nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future is hard to predict. Some artists who scheduled tours when the vaccine rollout began have already cancelled them due to rising cases caused by the Delta variant.

There have been a variety of reasons artists have had to cancel tours. Some have experienced COVID-19 infection with their touring crew, some cite the expense of keeping their crew tested and safe, and some are just not ready to perform in front of a large group of people without proof of their vaccine status.

So far this year, Garth Brooks, Stevie Nicks, and Nine Inch Nails have cancelled their scheduled tours because of COVID-19.

Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company, said in their Second Quarter Report on August 3, 2021, “The momentum for the return to live events has been building every month.” The report also said, “Looking forward to 2022 and now also 2023, all our leading indicators continue to point to a roaring era for concerts and other live events.”

Live Nation Entertainment has also started requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours to attend its events.

McMorran Theater has had several concerts and performances over the last few weeks, and although attendance isn’t quite what it was before the pandemic, audiences and performers alike are happy to be back to live shows.

Natacha Hayden, Port Huron Parks and Rec Marketing Specialist, said McMorran is planning full force into the future as well as following CDC guidelines for keeping performers and audiences safe. McMorran does not require proof of vaccination to attend events.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Michiganders Urged to Catch Up on Routine immunizations

Immunization Awareness Month is winding down, but it’s never too late to get caught up on routine vaccines. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is concerned that individuals got behind on their routine checkups and vaccinations due to the pandemic.

The return to school and the workplace makes it more important than ever to get back on track with routine vaccinations, according to MDHHS.

Michigan’s vaccination rate declined during the pandemic. The Michigan Care Improvement Registry, or MCIR, reported that only 54.7% of Michigan children aged between 19 and 35 months were fully immunized with recommended vaccinations.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS said, “Vaccinating on time and following CDC’s recommended schedule is the best protection against serious diseases including COVID-19, influenza, hepatitis A, cancers caused by HPV and measles. We have the power to protect not only ourselves, but our entire community when we vaccinate on time.”

MDHHS encourages Michiganders to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout a child’s life. Adults 19 and older can take the CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool to find out which vaccines they may need.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Port Huron Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Desirae Gouine has been named the Employee of the Month for July. Gouine has worked at McLaren Port Huron for five years and is currently a transporter in the Medical Imaging department.

Gouine was nominated by her coworkers because she lives the hospital values. She has a passion and willingness to “do for others”. She genuinely cares about her patients and goes above and beyond to provide compassionate care. Gouine is a role model, trainer and resource for new employees and technical staff. Her coworkers are thankful for the hard work and positive attitude she gives every day.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Congresswoman McClain Cosponsors Resolution to Censure Biden

On August 27, 2021, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), cosponsored a concurrent resolution condemning and censuring President Biden for his catastrophic failures in Afghanistan.

“President Biden’s horrific lack of leadership in Afghanistan caused the deaths of more than a dozen U.S. servicemembers, which could have easily been avoided,” said Rep. McClain. “I applaud Rep. Van Drew for leading this effort to condemn and censure the president. We need to ensure these mistakes never happen again.”

Joining McClain as cosponsors on Rep. Van Drew’s (R-NJ) resolution are Reps. Jim Banks (R-IN), Bill Posey (R-FL), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Tom Rice (R-SC), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), David Rouzer (R-NC), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eric Crawford (R-AR), Tracey Mann (R-KS) and Barry Moore (R-AL).

Submitted by Congresswoman McClain’s office