Rep. Shane Hernandez of Port Huron – chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee – today issued a statement on Gov. Whitmer’s extended and expanded ‘stay home’ order related to COVID-19. The governor’s order places more restrictions on stores and other jobs while extending the ‘stay-at-home’ order through April 30:

“Our primary mission continues to be doing all we can to save lives and protect the health of Michigan residents and their families. But the governor does not seem to understand we can continue that mission and also take steps so struggling Michigan families can stay afloat financially during this difficult time.

“We are several weeks into this crisis and still don’t have some of the critical health-related information needed to make the best decisions about where resources should go. We have not heard her plan to get Michigan back to work and lead us to brighter days. Even if the governor doesn’t believe now is the time, the people deserve to know there is a plan to restart our economy. There has been no message of hope from the governor. It’s more and more restrictions – no solutions.

“The governor’s new order will force even more people who could continue to work safely into unemployment –making it harder to feed their families, pay their bills and come out of this crisis afloat. And when they try to file for the unemployment benefits they need, they are met with a failing system – a website that doesn’t work and dropped calls, adding to the frustration.

“While extending this ‘stay home’ order, the governor missed an opportunity to follow federal guidelines that would allow more people to return to work while practicing safe habits. Other states have successfully done this and still have lower COVID-19 prevalence than Michigan. Gov. Whitmer instead moved in the opposite direction with work rules. Rather than figuring out a way to allow small, stand-alone greenhouses to operate, for example, she’s instead shutting down more operations in larger stores. When we are considering who should be allowed to work right now, we should start by looking at what is safe versus unsafe – rather than a confusing debate about what is essential or non-essential. Every job is essential when it means feeding a family and keeping a roof overhead.”

“People are frustrated and fed up. They want solutions that will lessen the spread of COVID-19 and also work toward a return to some sense of normalcy. We need to help people get back on their feet now – before it’s too late. The governor needs to step up.”

Submitted by Tim Martin

Sandcastle lovers will have to wait until August of 2021 to enjoy Blue Water SandFest. The event, organized by The Friends of the Ft. Gratiot Light, serves as a fundraiser to support the restoration of buildings and grounds at the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park.

David Brooks, Chairman of the Friends of the Fort
Gratiot Light, said, “Although a lot of planning has been done, and some funds have been raised through
sponsorships, the majority of available sponsorship money in the community will and should be directed
towards local and national relief efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to bringing the
event back next year bigger and better than ever.”

The family-friendly event that features Master, Advanced Amateur, and Amateur sand sculptors, and brings in visitors from around the world to compete for the Michigan State Championship of sand sculpting, is scheduled for August 6-8th of 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) President Carl Bednarski sent a formal request to Governor Whitmer on April 3rd to “ask for a reconsideration of retail garden centers to be included as essential infrastructure workers.” The original Stay Home, Stay Safe order deemed retail garden centers as non-essential though much of the food and agriculture sector was considered essential.

Retail garden centers and greenhouses around the state are brimming with stock including vegetable plants, and they are ready to begin selling them to customers. MFB’s horticulture specialist, Audrey Sebolt, said, “For many growers, if they’re not allowed to sell the plants already growing in greenhouses, it will mean a complete loss and an entire year without income for both the owners and their employees.” Ohio’s Governor, Mike DeWine, designated retail garden centers as essential on April 2nd.

Luke Marion, owner of MIgardener in Port Huron, agrees that retail garden centers should be considered essential. He is also a proponent of gardening from seed as much as possible. The biggest benefit of planting from seed is the cost. “Two to three plants from a garden center will cost $7 – $8,” said Marion. “You can purchase around 400 seeds for that price.” You can plant seeds in Michigan up to Labor Day, so there is still time to do some research and plan for a backyard garden. When asked about the easiest seeds to start with, Marion suggested, “Lettuce, spinach, and leafy greens are great! You can harvest them sooner, they are nutrient-dense, and they are more forgiving of soil deficiencies.”

Farm Bureau is asking members and agricultural stakeholders to contact Gov. Whitmer, urging her to issue a clarification to include the retail sale of plants as essential infrastructure. To contribute, click <HERE>

To learn more about starting a backyard gardening from MIgardener, click <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Several inmates at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center have tested positive for the Coronavirus. As of today, a total of 6 inmates have tested positive and have been isolated from the general population in the facility.

Sheriff Tim Donnellon said, “We continue to monitor inmates and staff for Coronavirus symptoms per the guidelines laid out by the CDC and the St. Clair County Emergency Operations Center. Unfortunately, no location is immune from this virus. Our medical staff, which is on hand 24/7, will continue to work to ensure the safety of our employees and inmates.”

As of today, none of those infected have needed hospitalization. Updates on the number of infected inmates will be provided in a press release from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office every Thursday until further notice.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 9th at 5:00 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 21,504 confirmed cases; 1,076 deaths
• St. Clair County: 162 confirmed cases; 4 county resident deaths (There was also 1 death in a county hospital of an out-of-county resident)
• Ontario: 5,759 confirmed cases; 200 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 98 confirmed cases; 9 deaths

Governor Whitmer extended the Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order through April 30th and made a few changes.  To enable critical workers to get to their workplaces, automobile dealerships will now be allowed to open for remote sales, though showrooms must remain closed. 

Under the new order, all public and private gatherings among persons outside a single household remain temporarily prohibited. Though Michiganders may leave the house to get groceries or needed supplies, the new order encourages people to limit the number of household members running errands to the maximum extent possible. As before, people may engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, running, cycling, kayaking, canoeing, or any other recreational activity, consistent with remaining at least six feet from people from outside a person’s household and with other restrictions imposed by prior executive orders. The order clarifies, however, that travel for vacations or for any other purpose is prohibited.

A new section of the order imposes restrictions on stores in an effort to reduce crowds. Large stores must limit the number of people in the store at one time to no more than 4 customers for every 1,000 square feet of customer floor space; small stores must limit capacity to 25% of the total occupancy limits (including employees) under the fire codes. To regulate entry, stores must establish lines with markings for patrons to enable them to stand at least six feet apart from one another while waiting. Large stores must also close areas of the store that are dedicated to carpeting, flooring, furniture, garden centers, plant nurseries, or paint. 

The City of Sarnia encourages families to stick to the directives on social distancing even through this holiday weekend. They acknowledge that these are difficult and unusual times, but they urge everyone to continue observing proper hygiene practices and physical distancing.

The Joint Information Center offers these tips for practicing preventive measures such as household cleaning. Simple steps, such as cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces (e.g. tables, doorknobs, light switches, faucets, countertops, and electronics) on a daily basis. Use soap and water, followed by a disinfectant, using the directions on the label. Many disinfectants need to be left on the surface for a few minutes before being wiped dry. Diluted bleach water (five tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water) is effective against coronaviruses if left on the surface for more than one minute. For more information visit: www.cdc.gov

Please continue to reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

• Centers for Disease Control:  cdc.gov/coronavirus
• State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/coronavirus  or Info Hotline  1-888-535-6136 Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov
• St. Clair County Health Department: COVID-19 Info Hotline (810) 966-4163 Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org
• St. Clair County Community Mental Health COVID-19 Support Line (810) 985-8900, available Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Lambton Public Health: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
• City of Sarnia COVID-19 Hotline: 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642)

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michiganders who lose a job, resulting in a loss of their healthcare coverage or a change in income, may have low or no-cost healthcare options available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  Consumers in these situations are not required to wait for the yearly Open Enrollment Period and should act now.

“Michiganders who lose employer-based health insurance may have options to continue or replace their coverage,” said DIFS Director Anita G. Fox. “If consumers have questions about enrolling, DIFS is available to assist.”

Consumers have 60 days after losing essential health coverage, such as through a job loss, or experienced a change in income to take advantage of a Special Enrollment Period. To determine eligibility, consumers should visit www.healthcare.gov. Depending on income and their situation, consumers may qualify for cost sharing reductions, premium tax credits, coverage for their children (CHIP), or Medicaid. Consumers should contact DIFS toll free at 877-999-6442 if they need assistance.

Act now and apply

• When a consumer loses essential health coverage, they may be eligible to enroll in an individual health plan during a Special Enrollment Period.
• If consumers are new to www.healthcare.gov, they can create an account. If they already have one, they may log in to start or update an application.

Enrollment help is available 

• DIFS can help.  The Michigan Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program (HICAP) can provide shopping tips and help answer questions about health insurance or Special Enrollment Periods.
• Contact DIFS at 877-999-6442 or email at DIFS-HICAP@michigan.gov

Submitted by the State of Michigan Emergency Operations Center