Daly Asks for Public Comment on COVID Rules for Workplaces

31 District Senator Kevin Daley is asking the public to provide feedback on what he is calling “Governor Whitmer’s Endless Emergency”. Daly is responding to a proposal by MIOSHA that they be allowed to examine the continued need for their COVID-19 workplace safety rules even after MDHHS and the Governor’s orders have ended.

MIOSHA, or the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, sets and enforces workplace safety rules. Their goal is to protect the safety and health of Michigan workers.

As a result of the COVID pandemic, many rules were put into place that made it mandatory for employers to create policies and procedures about in-person work, physical distancing, and PPE.

MIOSHA rules included creating workplace policies that prohibited in-person work for any employee that could reasonably work from home, daily self-screening protocols like health questionnaires, and requiring face coverings for employees and those entering the workplace.

The new proposed rule gives MIOSHA the control to examine the continued need for these rules within 21 days of the expiration or rescission of any remaining COVID-19 emergency orders. At that time, they could choose to make some of the COVID rules permanent.

Daly said, “Business owners should be able decide for themselves what’s best for them, their employees and their customers. This is not something that should be decided by unelected bureaucrats in Lansing. Business owners should have a say in how their business is run and I’d like to begin these discussions and get feedback from the folks of the 31st District.”

The 31st Senate District includes Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties., and Senator Daly asks his constituents to submit their comments here: https://www.misenategop.com/WhitmerEmergency/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Catching a Tagged Trout or Salmon Could Lead to $100 Reward

Spring fishing trips could net more than just memories this year. Catching a fish marked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and turning it in, could end with a $100 payout.

Anglers are asked to look for marked fish and turn them in. Trout or salmon could have a clip on the adipose fin. They may also have a coded-wire tag in their snout, which is very small. The Fish and Wildlife Service only wants the head, so they can remove the clip and use it to gather data.

Jay Wesley, Lake Michigan Basin coordinator for the DNR said, “We are particularly interested in confirming the wild contribution of Chinook salmon to the fishery, movement and wild contribution of steelhead in lakes and rivers, and survival and movement of Atlantic salmon. This reward program will help incentivize anglers to become community scientists and help us collect valuable data.”

To be in the running for the $100 reward, the fish heads must be dropped off at a local drop-off station in Michigan. Locally, they can be found at Anderson’s Pro Bait in Port Huron, Blue Water Bait in Fair Haven, the Port Sanilac Boat Launch, and Lexington Harbor.

The prizes will be announced in February of 2022. A link to full details:

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82441_82708-180624–,00.html?utm_campaign=marked%20tagged%20fish%20reward&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Class of 2021 Car Parade Planned for May 22nd

Port Huron, MI — A car parade is being planned for Saturday, May 22nd at 3:00 p.m. to celebrate the high school graduating classes from both Port Huron High and Port Huron Northern High Schools.

The parade is a grassroots effort as most school-sanctioned events have been cancelled. No prom; no all-night party; even commencement ceremonies are divided into half the class going at one time and half the class at another.

The parade is intended to bring all seniors together in a socially distanced way. A similar event was held last year in the midst of all the Class of 2020 cancellations.

Organizer Alexandria Guenther, a senior at Port Huron Northern said, “The parade is going to be something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.” Guenther said she is excited for the parade, saying it will make the seniors feel special, having the whole community and parents lining the streets of downtown for the seniors.

The parade will start behind the YMCA and will end at Pine Grove Park. Seniors are asked to arrive at 2:45 to get lined up. All streets remain open and all traffic rules must be followed as the usual street traffic is not being diverted. Participation is voluntary and not sanctioned by any public entity.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Groups Can Register for Vaccine in Lambton

Sarnia, Ontario — Lambton County essential frontline workers who cannot work from home are now eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccine appointment, along with individuals who are 40 years old now or will be in 2021.

In addition to those groups, high-risk health care workers, dialysis patients, and all first Nations, Inuit and Metis individuals can book their second dose of the vaccine earlier than the extended four-month interval. This insures that those groups who are at higher risk for serious illness with COVID-19 reach a greater level of immunity to the virus sooner.

Lambton Public Health noted that clinics are booking quickly, so if residents try to register and find that clinics are fully booked, they should check back often as additional clinics will be added as vaccine supply is confirmed.

As of the beginning of May, approximately 800,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were expected to arrive in Ontario each week. Doses of vaccine administered per week should increase to 940,000 by the end of the month. There are currently 73 active cases of COVID-19 in Lambton County.

Vaccine appointments for Lambton County residents can be registered for at GetTheVaccine.ca 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act Discussed in House Committee

House Bill 4667, the COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act, has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives to stem any future requirements of needing to prove vaccination to a state or government entity. Fines for violation are part of the bill.

Speaking to the House Oversight Committee, Lori Roman, President of the American Constitutional Rights Union Action Fund spoke against any so-called “vaccine passport” and quoted Benjamin Franklin, saying, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” 

China, Japan, and the European Union all have some level of vaccine passport in the works, and Canada’s Health Minister has endorsed the idea. Some American colleges and universities are already requiring proof of Covid vaccination for on-campus students and children have been required to show proof of several routine vaccinations for enrollment in public schools for decades.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, strongly opposes vaccine passports and is a co-sponsor of the bill.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to be Installed Locally, Statewide

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is granting over $1.8 million to install more charging stations for electric vehicles. The Blue Water Area is on track to have eight of those stations.

Sunrise Stores LLC received the largest disbursement of “Charge Up” grant money- $200,000- to install eight charging stations at their Fort Gratiot, Smiths Creek, Capac, and Kimball locations. Speedy Q Market in Port Huron received a $50,000 grant for two outlets. TNT Equipment in Sandusky received a grant for $70,000 to install four outlets.

The “Charge Up” grants are being awarded to install fast-charging stations that will add 88 outlets along key travel routes statewide. The new outlets are part of a plan to make it possible to travel in electric vehicles with no worries about finding a charging station across Michigan and with connection to high-traveled Midwest and Canadian Routes. The stations are for both private and commercial electric vehicles. 

The new fast-charging electric vehicle charging outlets are expected to be up and running by the end of the year. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland