Survey Helps Determine Eligibility for Vaccine

The St. Clair County Health Department has published a survey to determine which St. Clair County residents are eligible for the current supply of Covid-19 vaccines. Members of the Phase 1A priority group are currently able to be vaccinated immediately.

The first phase of the process includes health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities. Long term care includes nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the Health Department’s survey, Phase 1A eligibility also includes those with direct patient contact while conducting high risk procedures such as dentistry, endoscopy, dialysis, respiratory therapy, as well as those working in public health, pharmacy, and mortuary services.

According to MDHHS, Phase 1B includes frontline essential workers and individuals 75 years of age and older. Phase 1C includes other essential workers, persons 65 to 74 years of age, and individuals 16 to 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions. Phase 2 is a mass vaccination campaign for all persons age 16 years or older.

A link to the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6NGRVPC?fbclid=IwAR07YdsjXey1BjeKELI2MhqEFEJl31hGkiHq4luFM8FCXPx2dASLrWVsldQ

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Holiday Visits Were Complicated Thanks to Closed Border

As the U.S.- Canadian border remains closed to non-essential travel, families with relatives in both countries have to make significant sacrifices to see loved ones. The Canadian regulations require a fourteen-day quarantine for those returning to the country after a trip to the U.S.

Port Huron Township resident Debbie Peloso went to great lengths to work with the Canadian Border Patrol to set up a holiday visit with her daughter, who lives and studies in Ontario. Picking up her daughter and bringing her back to St. Clair County was a carefully orchestrated process with a lot of supervision from authorities.

Peloso said that the Christmas visit was really a sacrifice on her daughter’s part. Once she got back to Ontario, her daughter had to subscribe to the ArriveCAN mobile app, which monitors her quarantine compliance. The rules turned a two week visit into a month-long commitment with the quarantine requirement. Peloso said she understands why the Canadian government is continuing the restrictions and felt it was a fair process.

The border has been closed since March 2020 and the current order extends to January 21, 2021, and is expected to be extended.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Little Black Dress Event Moves to Facebook Live for 2021

Port Huron, MI — The 15th Annual Betty Kearns Little Black Dress Event is moving to Facebook live for 2021. On  Friday, March 5th at 6 PM,  the committee will be streaming live from Kate’s Downtown Café. They have lots of fun planned for the event including raffles, memories, and support.

Raffle tickets can be purchased online at bluewaterlittleblackdress.org and sponsorships can be purchased in amounts from $500 to $3,000. There are no tickets needed for the event, simply visit the Facebook page <HERE> to view.

The Betty Kearns Little Black Dress Event was established in 2007 to raise money for local Breast Cancer Programs. The Betty Kearns Cancer Fund was established in 2016 to help all people fighting cancer. In 2020, the fund helped McLaren Port Huron purchase new equipment to help diagnose and treat prostate cancer. It also established a donor advised fund at the Ct. Clair County Community foundation to help St. Clair and Sanilac County residents who may need cancer treatment outside the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

New Law Allows First Responders to Use EpiPens

Senate Bill 417 was signed into law by Governor Whitmer last week, and now firefighters and police officers in Michigan will be allowed to carry and use EpiPens to treat life-threatening allergic reactions. The law also provides protection for school employees who administer EpiPens in good faith.

The bill’s sponsor, former State Senator Pete Lucido, said, “EpiPens are such a common tool used to help people experiencing allergic reactions, and our first responders will now be able to carry them while on duty.”

Lucido left the Senate after being elected Macomb county Prosecutor in the November election.

“These commonsense bills will make it easier for first responders and school workers to do their jobs and help save the lives of people in need. I can’t think of a better way to end my legislative career than having these bills become law,” said Lucido.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Mainstreet Memories Car Show Moving to Waterfront

Port Huron, MI — Mainstreet Memories, an annual car show in Downtown Port Huron, has announced plans for expansion in 2021. The non-profit is rolling out its plans for a bigger and better show this summer.

The group has raised $65,000 to benefit the Council on Aging serving St. Clair County since they started the event. They have had exponential growth in the car show each year since starting in 2015.

Previously held on Huron Avenue, this year’s show will be held at the Acheson Ventures downtown waterfront area. The advantages of the new location are cost savings, greater area for cars to park, and no need to close streets. In a statement on their facebook page, President Ron Steward said, “In discussions with the DDA, both groups feel comfortable with this change, and feel it opens new opportunities to grow and expand the event into a weekend long experience, the opportunities are endless.”

This year’s Mainstreet Memories Car Show is scheduled for July 31, 2021 and will be sponsored by Moran Automotive. More information is at mainstreetmemoriesph.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland