On Sunday, March 29th, 2020,  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement accepting the recommendation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an alternative care facility in Detroit.  Now, the Corps of Engineers is overseeing construction at the TCF Center, formerly know as Cobo Hall in Detroit, as it’s being converted into a medical facility.

The plan calls for insuring that Michigan has adequate medical space during the COVID-19 pandemic. FEMA is fundingconstruction and supplies for the site which will have approximately 900 beds and stations for medical personnel.  The site is being designed with negative pressure specifically for coronavirus patients who need oxygen.

In a statement, Governor Whitmer said – “The State of Michigan is working around the clock and doing everything we can to slow the spread of the coronavirus. We are proud to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the TCF Center to expand capacity in Detroit. By mobilizing quickly to construct a large alternate care facility in Detroit, we can help save lives.”

Federal officials are focusing on Wayne County as an emerging coronavirus hot spot as the city of Detroit alone surpassed 2,400 confirmed cases this week.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Ford is responding to the Trump administration’s call to to step up and build medically necessary equipment.  Ford has announced a partnership with GE to build 50,000 ventilators over the next 100 days.

The ventilators will be built at a plant in Michigan in cooperation with GE’s healthcare unit. The companies will then build 30,000 per month as needed to treat patients afflicted with the coronavirus. They hope to finish at least 50,000 over the next 100 days.

Ford said the simplified ventilator design, which is licensed by GE Healthcare from Florida-based Airon Corp and has been cleared by the FDA, can meet the needs of most COVID-19 patients. Production will start in late April at Ford’s Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti. It will produce the ventilators nearly around the clock, with 500 paid volunteer UAW-represented employees working on three shifts. Airon currently produces three Airon pNeuton Model A ventilators per day in Melbourne, Florida.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

The main concern officials have at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic is for mental health. Social distancing has had a domino effect in the lives of many as they are cut off from family, friends, and their support in the community.

Deb Johnson, Executive Director of St. Clair County Community Mental Health encourages parents to talk openly with their children. A free, CMH Support Line is now available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.  Anyone age 14 and older can connect with a CMH licensed mental health professional by:

• Calling (810) 985-8900;
• Texting (810) 956-6335;
• Emailing: covid19support@scccmh.org

Lambton County Connects is a telephone based program for older adults who live in Lambton County and are feeling isolated and alone. The program is free and offers a way to connect with people without leaving your home. For more information check out Lambton County Connects at LambtonCares.ca

Confirmed cases as of April 2nd at 5:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 10,791 confirmed cases; 417 deaths
• St. Clair County: 53 confirmed cases
• Ontario: 2,793 confirmed cases; 53 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 59 confirmed cases; 6 deaths

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Council on Aging has the privilege of caring for the needs of our area’s senior citizens.  Under the leadership of Scott Crawford and his team, the COA continues to see that our local seniors have the meals and the home care that they so desperately need.

WGRT spoke with Scott Crawford on Wednesday, and he said the need in the community is growing.  One hundred fifty new seniors have recently been added to the meal program, and more calls are coming in daily. In an effort to protect the Council’s volunteers, the work is primarily being carried out by paid staff.

Mr. Crawford would like the public to know that appropriate protocols are in place to protect the health of both the seniors and the Council on Aging staff. At this time, hot meals are being delivered to seniors Monday through Thursday with freezer meals being provided for Friday through Sunday. While all the center facilities remain closed to the public, the St. Clair County Council on Aging continues to make home visits to seniors who depend on them, and they are also making phone calls to seniors to check on their wellbeing.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

The entire business community has been dealt a crushing blow with the Stay Home, Stay Safe order. As local small business owners struggle to innovate and take care of their employees, there are several people working to encourage them and offer support.

Lisa Bowman, owner of Sir Speedy Printing in Port Huron, started the #porthuronstrong campaign and used her sign printing expertise to get other businesses involved. When asked what motivated her, Lisa said, “When we first got the news that places were going to be shutdown, of course panic set in including worrying about my employees that are like daughters to me.  Then I thought I need to do a banner with a positive message to let everyone know we are in this together. Being a 10 year Breast Cancer survivor, I know how important it is to stay positive and strong during hard times.” Michigan Mutual paid for part of the cost and installation of a banner version of the sign to display on top of their building, and you can find more of these red & white signs throughout Downtown reminding everyone that “Life’s roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors.”

Cynthia Cutright, Director of the Port Huron Downtown Development Authority, has been working hard to connect businesses with relief programs and keep them encouraged, especially in light of the cancellation of  this summer’s Blue Water Fest. “One of the most amazing things about our downtown is we have a wonderful community of business owners. This is a hard hit, and it’s been a very scary time for everybody, but everybody is so optimistic. It’s amazing to see already the resilience in these folks. I’m going to be doing everything along with them to make sure we come back stronger than ever.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand