Whitmer Agrees to Withdraw MIOSHA’s Proposed Permanent Rules

Governor Whitmer announced that she has agreed to withdraw the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (MIOSHA) proposed permanent COVID-19 rules, and work with Republican lawmakers on the state budget and further epidemic orders.

The announcement comes after many business organization leaders expressed concern over contradictions among COVID-19 rules coming from MDHHS, MIOSHA, LARA, and federal organizations like the CDC and OSHA.

Republicans have agreed to fully negotiate the state budget and federal funding from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Act with the State Budget Director which is a step toward bipartisan allocation of more than $2 billion in remaining CARES act funding and almost  $20 billion from the American Rescue Plan.

MIOSHA is currently updating aspects of its emergency rules to align with the guidance from the CDC and MDHHS including removing the requirement that employers create policies prohibiting in-person work for those who can reasonably work from home. The updated rules are expected to go into effect on Monday, May 24, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

New Food Truck Brings Indian Cuisine to Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — The food scene in Port Huron continues to evolve with the latest addition of Aatma Indian Cuisine. The food truck brings the first taste of Indian food to the area. While there are plenty of Indian restaurants across the border in Sarnia and a few sprinkled throughout metro Detroit, Indian cuisine has been hard to come by, until now.

Owner Bretton Jones is no stranger to the food truck business, also owning and operating El Hombre Grande, which serves Mexican food. Bretton said that the community has responded to the new cuisine by helping him sell out of food for two weeks in a row.

Aatma offers regular items such as tandoori chicken and butter chicken, as well as specials. Saag, a popular Indian side dish of spinach simmered in a vegetable sauce is a permanent fixture on the menu, as well as vegetable korma and naan bread. Jones also caters to popular diets by offering cauliflower rice as a substitute for rice to make the meal keto-friendly.

Aatma Cuisine is open on Wednesdays only from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. The truck is located in the parking lot of Ryan’s Liquor store at the intersection of Pine Grove and 10th Avenue on Port Huron’s north end. More information can be found on Aatma’s Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/AatmaIndianCuisine

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Foster Families Play Vital Role for Children in Care

May has been proclaimed Foster Care Month in the state of Michigan, and Governor Whitmer wants to increase awareness about the importance of foster families who care for children in state custody.

“Every child deserves to have an adult in their life who is their champion and a home where they feel safe and secure,” Gov. Whitmer said. “Parenting isn’t easy, and sometimes families need extra support. Foster parenting is one of the most selfless things you can do, and I am so grateful for the Michiganders who have stepped up to provide loving homes for children who need them.”

There are about 11,500 children in Michigan’s foster care system, and the state’s goals include providing a safe, stable environment for children in their own communities. They also aim to keep sibling groups together.

In order to achieve those goals, there needs to be an adequate number of foster homes available.

Those interested in exploring foster parenting can visit the state’s website at www.michigan.gov/hopeforahome

or attend a free ice cream social at Lakeport Wesleyan Church on June 10th from 6:30 – 8:00 PM sponsored by MDHHS and ENNIS Center for Children, Inc.

There is also a virtual event monthly called Foster Care Myth Busting available through the ENNIS Center on Zoom here:

https://fb.me/e/2lShDAyL9

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery Lays Out Plan to Get students Caught Up

The Michigan Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery has been released by the Student Recovery Advisory Council which was formed in response to the challenges students have faced during the pandemic.

The plan focuses on wellness, academics, school culture and climate, family and community engagement, and postsecondary education. According to Kevin Polston, Chair of the Recovery Advisory Council, “The Blueprint lays out a clear multi-year plan for the holistic, whole child recovery for Michigan’s students. Every recommendation is supported by leading research and designed to support Michigan students by those that know them best, leaders in education, health care, and child services from right here in Michigan.”  

The plan suggests things like employing school nurses, catching kids up on wellness visits and vaccinations, increasing physical activity, and ensuring recess is available during the school day. The plan also addresses teacher and staff burnout and overwork.

Some students have been fully disengaged from school while some have fallen behind or have not been given access to full instruction. The plan addresses how to reach out to those students as well as work on equity and inclusion for all students.

A link to the full plan can be found at:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dtmb/MI_Blueprint_for_Comprehensive_Student_Recovery_725617_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Vaccine Clinics End in May

Effective June 1, 2021, the St. Clair County Health Department will be moving COVID-19 vaccinations and testing appointments back to the Health Department Main Office located at 3415 28th Street, Port Huron and Teen Health location, 2215 Court Street, Port Huron.

Beginning Monday, May 24 appointments can be self-scheduled at the Main Office location via www.scchealth.co or by calling the Health Department (810) 987-5300 or the COVID-19 Informational Hotline (810) 966-4163. Vaccine selections will include Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

For appointments at the Teen Health location call (810) 987-1311.

COVID-19 Vaccination appointments will be offered:

  • Monday through Thursday at the Main Office (ages 12 and older) and Teen Health location (ages 12-21)

COVID-19 Testing appointments will be offered:

  • Monday through Friday at both locations

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer for the St. Clair County Health Department stated, “We felt June 1 was the appropriate time to move these services back to the Health Department. We have been at our Marysville testing and vaccine clinic locations for months, and as the demand changes we can now provide these appointments at our own facility.”

Another change taking place on Friday, May 21 will be the end to our online pre-registration system. Mercatante explained, “The pre-registration system (Everbridge) is not needed as it once was. Over 30,000 individuals used that system and though not perfect, it helped meet the public’s need/demand when the vaccine roll-out was at its peak. We are shifting to an online, self-scheduling appointment system which will be available on our website or people can call to make an appointment.”

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Email COVID-19 questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org or call the informational hotline (810) 966-4163. Visit the website www.scchealth.co and follow us on social media @scchdmi.

Submitted by St. Clair county Health Department

Updated Plan Promises Normal 4th of July

An updated epidemic order is expected to come from MDHHS on Monday, May 24th reflecting changes Governor Whitmer announced today. According to an update to Whitmer’s “Vacc to Normal” plan, on June 1st indoor capacity limits will increase to 50% and be fully lifted both indoors and outdoors on July 1st.

Whitmer said, “Soon, Michiganders will be able to celebrate together, have summer weddings and even enjoy a 4th of July barbeque with family and friends. This is what we have all been working so hard towards, and I am so grateful to every Michigander who continues to go above and beyond to keep themselves, their family, and our communities safe.”

In light of these proposed changes and the Governor’s announcement last week that fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear a face mask, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is asking Whitmer to clarify instructions for businesses.

NFIB Michigan State Director, Charlie Owens, said, “The confusion among employers as to the contradictions between COVID-19 orders emanating from the MDHHS and MIOSHA needs to end now. We have been waiting for clear direction from the administration on this issue for too long”

MIOSHA COVID-19 Emergency rules place a number of requirements on businesses for how they handle safety with their employees and with people who enter their businesses. When MDHHS orders conflict with MIOSHA rules, many business leaders and employees are unsure which directives to follow.

The NFIB along with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association of Michigan, and other organizations sent a letter to MIOSHA & LARA requesting clear and consistent guidance regarding rules and orders.

They also asked that MIOSHA redraft the rules to align with CDC and federal OSHA regulations to ensure that “Michigan will be able to effectively compete with other states as we look to retain and attract businesses to Michigan as we rebuild the economy”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand