2020

People wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19, sit at distance in a tram in downtown Rome, Monday, March 15, 2021. Here are some of the responses we have received so far (submit yours below):“You will not believe President Trump’s inaction to this virus. You won’t believe how hard it will be to get vaccinated and that face masks will be part of your everyday attire going places. !” -- Margaret A. Barnes“Stock up on essential items, get a deep freezer and learn how to deal with anxiety.” -- Temisha Lee“If I could go back I would tell myself stay positive, stay strong, stay faithful to God. Meanwhile stay active and creative and keep going -- stay strong you will be OK.” -- Dawn HarciaAd“I would tell myself that you are not alone in this.

Here are some of the responses we have received so far (submit yours below):“You will not believe President Trump’s inaction to this virus. You won’t believe how hard it will be to get vaccinated and that face masks will be part of your everyday attire going places. !” -- Margaret A. Barnes“Stock up on essential items, get a deep freezer and learn how to deal with anxiety.” -- Temisha Lee“If I could go back I would tell myself stay positive, stay strong, stay faithful to God. Do window visits because in a few months they will both be taken from this virus.” -- Kayla“I would have prepared myself for the pain of losing my Dad to this virus. Meanwhile stay active and creative and keep going -- stay strong you will be OK.” -- Dawn HarciaAd“I would tell myself that you are not alone in this.

In the early days of the pandemic, many of us were afraid to touch anything. And too many people only realized they’d come in contact with it when they suddenly found they’d lost their sense of taste or smell. Something closer to actual warfare broke out in spats between Americans divided over proper COVID precautions. READ: CDC provides guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against COVIDAs we head into the second year of COVID, the fights remain intense. AdREAD: Local 4′s Dr. Frank McGeorge looks back on COVID pandemic on anniversary of first casesWe’ve tried hard in our newscasts to celebrate the good.

I would say to set a schedule for my family and stick to it, because kids need routine in confusing times. I would say this will require all the grace, compassion, patience and self-discipline you have and plenty you don’t have. Know and understand that tomorrow is not promised. Enjoy these precious moments of working from home, spending additional time with family, preparing daily meals, exercising, reflecting on life. We have seen things in this life that have been a first for many of us.

LANSING, Mich. – The first confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan were announced March 10, 2020. READ: First 2 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Michigan: What we know, don’t knowIn the last 365 days, Michigan has seen more than 600,000 confirmed cases and nearly 16,000 COVID-related deaths. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. In an exclusive interview with Local 4, Whitmer spoke with Rod Meloni and reflected on the past year. The state has gone through a lot over the past year since the first two cases confirmed on March 10, 2020.

The first confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan were announced March 10, 2020. READ: First 2 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Michigan: What we know, don’t knowIn the last 365 days, Michigan has seen nearly 600,000 confirmed cases and 16,000 COVID-related deaths. READ: 1 year into COVID, what would you go back and tell yourself? Experts estimate that about half of all COVID cases are spread by people who are asymptomatic or presymptomatic. Most expects expected COVID to subside as the we entered warmer weather, but instead there were summer surges in many parts of the country.

There’s a lot we learned in the past year about the coronavirus on COVID-19. Here’s a look at what we wish we’d known before the pandemic swept into the United States and the state of Michigan. Related: 1 year into COVID, what would you go back and tell yourself? Here’s what you said

We are asking ClickOnDetroit readers a hypothetical question:If you could go back a year, before the effects of the coronavirus pandemic swept into Michigan in March 2020, what would you tell yourself? And finally, find pleasure in carrying out simple household tasks, because they matter.” -- Judith Matlock“First and foremost, I would tell myself to stock up on toilet paper, Lysol wipes and bread!!! And I would tell myself that 99% of my family and friends didn’t get it and were fine even if they did.” -- Sonya“You will save one hour a day not dressing up and driving to work. I am the one who went above and beyond the meaning of ‘FAMILY,’ and ‘FRIEND’ should be closer. I am the one who accepted the family members or friends that the rest of the family or other friends did not like.

DETROIT – For Women’s History Month, meet a woman who like many of us had no idea how difficult 2020 would be. “I said, ‘Thank you for the responsibility that I have.’”It’s safe to say Grant is winning. The self-described serial entrepreneur is the owner of a number of Metro Detroit based businesses including one she’s most proud of, 2050 Partners Inc.“2050 Partners Incorporated is an integrated marketing agency. This Women’s History Month is important to Grant because she shares her story of triumph through tragedy in hopes that it inspires other women. “I want my place in women’s history to be a serial entrepreneur and mother who seized opportunities and created and built opportunities for other people.”Grant calls herself not just a serial entrepreneur, but an overall “master of making it happen.”More: Women’s History Month stories

General Motors net profit fell 4.5% in 2020, but a strong second half more than offset the effects of pandemic-related factory closures and a costly air bag recall. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)DETROIT – General Motors' profit fell 4.5% in 2020, but a strong second half more than offset the effects of pandemic-related factory closures and a costly air bag recall. GM predicted the shortage will cost it $1.5 billion to $2 billion in earnings before taxes this year due to lost production. Still, GM expects pretax income for the year of $10 billion to $11 billion, or $4.50 to $5.25 per share. Of that, $6 billion would go to electric vehicles and $1 billion would go to autonomous, Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson said.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Trump is returning to Washington after visiting his Mar-a-Lago resort. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)President Donald Trump badgered and pleaded with Georgia’s election chief to overturn Joe Biden’s win in the state, suggesting in a telephone call that the official “find” enough votes to hand Trump the victory. Trump to @GASecofState: So look- all I want to do is this. A recording of the call was later obtained by The Associated Press from a person who was on the call. Because we won the state.”Follow updates here as more information is expected to follow:

In promulgating Executive Order 2020-69 and Executive Order 2020-70, the Governor has done just that by placing restrictions on certain activities to limit social interactions. “Good news, sports fans: We are now ready to gradually and safely allow professional sports to resume in Michigan,” Whitmer said. July 14: State of emergency extendedWhitmer extended the Michigan state of emergency until Aug. 11 as COVID-19 cases rose across the state. The five-year lending, investment and philanthropic plan aimed to help improve financial opportunities for Michigan businesses, consumers and communities. Dec. 29: Relief bill, unemployment extensionWhitmer signed a $106 million relief bill and also extended COVID-19 unemployment benefits through March 2021.

2020 is finally coming to an end and most people are probably excited about it. Some people experienced a lot of personal growth while others just enjoyed being with their family. Jason Carr chatted with Mimi Brown, a local author and motivational speaker, Lauren Crocker from the Blaine Fowler Morning Show on 96.3 FM, and Mike Bonner, local comedian and car salesman, about what to expect for the new year, how to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and new technology addictions. Watch the video to see what they said about 2020 and what’s next.

Gretchen Whitmer is reflecting on 2020, touching on the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan roads, the economic crisis, dam failures, a domestic terror plot and protests over racial injustice. “As I think about 2020, the phrase annus horribilis comes to mind, which means a horrible year. But it wasn’t all horrible, cause some really good things happened this year and there are sources of inspiration no matter where you look,” Whitmer said. In this video, Whitmer goes all the way back to the first cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, which were confirmed March 10. It covers the domestic terror plot targeting Whitmer and ends with a look ahead to 2021.

According to new research, Michigan residents expressed more hatred for this year than Americans in any other state -- particularly on Twitter. Tech company Someka Excel Solutions reportedly tracked more than 900,000 tweets containing negative comments about 2020, rifling through hashtags and keywords like “I hate 2020,” “2020 is the worst” and “horrible year,” officials said. Using geotagging data from Twitter, Someka identified which states the most negative sentiments were tweeted from -- and Michigan was number one. Michigan residents were the most negative about the year on Twitter, according to the data. 🌟 Become an Insider 🌟Introducing WDIV Insider: A new way for loyal Local 4 fans to gain access and customize your ClickOnDetroit news experience.

(2020 Getty Images)On Jan. 9, the World Health Organization first announced news about the deadly coronavirus that had emerged in Wuhan, China. (2020 Getty Images)On March 24, it became official: The Olympics would be postponed. (2020 Getty Images)On May 4, it was reported that giant insects called “murder hornets” were spotted in the U.S., specifically, Washington state. (Getty Images)On Aug. 18, on the second night of the (virtual) 2020 Democratic National Convention, the party officially nominated Biden. (Getty Images)On Oct. 11, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat in NBA Finals to win another championship.

Watch live coverage as state electors across the country meet to formally cast their electoral college votes for president and vice president. Watch live national coverage here beginning at 10 a.m. Monday:

Electoral College members will meet Monday in each state to cast their official ballots for president. UPDATE: The Michigan electors have unanimously cast 16 Electoral College votes for Joe Biden for president. They also unanimously cast 16 votes for Kamala Harris for vice president. All Nov. 3, 2020 General Election results in each state were certified by last week’s deadline. The vote will help seal Democrat Joe Biden’s win with 306 electoral votes to President Trump’s 232.

American Standard is rolling out a limited edition “Flush 2020” toilet paper to help us say goodbye to the year of turmoil. This special paper will let you wipe away things like: “You’re on mute,” “drive-by birthday parties” and “murder hornets.”They’re giving away 450 rolls of exclusive #Flush2020 toilet paper. Go here to enter for your chance to win.

If the year 2020 was a musical, it would be long and jam-packed with huge performances and numbers. “The Tonight Show” tried to bring all of this together in an 8-minute music titled “2020: The Musical.”Jimmy Fallon and Andrew Rannells recap the year 2020 through Broadway songs like “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, “Memory” from Cats and “My Shot” from Hamilton. And of course a bit of “The Book of Mormon.”Watch it below:

A federal judge in Michigan has denied a lawsuit seeking to decertify the state’s Nov. 3, 2020 General Election results based on claims of widespread fraud in the distribution, collection, and counting of ballots. The election results were certified in Michigan on Nov. 23. Read the full opinion here:Michigan’s Board of State Canvassers voted Nov. 23 certify the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election results. The vote to certify Michigan’s election results officially awards the state’s 16 electoral votes to Joe Biden in the presidential election. Board member Norman D. Shinkle (R) abstained from voting after questioning the balance of votes in certain precincts, specifically in Detroit.

DETROIT – The Michigan Board of State Canvassers ended the controversy over the November election Monday afternoon. It voted 3-0 to certify the election results with one abstention. There were circulating rumors that both Republican Board of State Canvassers members were considering voting no and delaying the certification. Today’s vote of the State Board of Canvassers to certify Michigan’s November election confirms the truth: the election was fair and secure, and the results accurately reflect the will of the voters. “The Board fulfilled its legal duties today in certifying the results, and now our democratic process can move forward.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)This map shows data for preliminary voter turnout for the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election across the United States. VIEW: State-by-state presidential race results for Nov. 3, 2020 General Election

LANSING, Mich. – Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson answered voter questions at a town hall event Wednesday night. “Making it Count: A Voter Information Town Hall” took place at 7 p.m. Additionally, Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus-Lyons held a news conference Tuesday where she shared information to prepare voters for Election Day. Residents can also vote in person on Election Day, but because of the pandemic, you will be encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing. You can also register at your local clerk’s office on Election Day in Michigan to vote in the presidential election.

Coca-Cola is looking to reward someone who’s tackled 2020 without issue. The winner will get a year’s supply of Diet Coke complete with a mini fridge. You have until November 16th to nominate who you think should receive the 365 cans of Diet Coke. Click here to learn more. The only requirement is it has to be someone who has “gone beyond the call of duty to take on all that 2020 has entailed like a true boss.”Unfortunately you cannot nominate yourself.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – United States Vice President Mike Pence will Hosted a “Make America Great Again” campaign event near Grand Rapids Wednesday. It was a message Pence echoed Wednesday afternoon at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids. “We passed Criminal Justice Reform to correct some historic flaws that particularly impacted our minorities and African American communities.”Finally, he addressed the national polls and Former Vice President Biden being ahead. “Get out and take advantage of early voting, if you can, it’s already begun here in Michigan," Pence said. The event took place a few days before an event in Muskegon Saturday where President Donald Trump will speak.

Nearly one million voters have returned absentee ballots in Michigan for the November election, according to the Secretary of State. Election Day is three weeks away, but early voting has been underway in Michigan since Sept. 24. According to the Michigan Secretary of State, nearly 1 million citizens have already returned absentee ballots, and more than 2.8 million have requested them. “Michigan citizens can be confident that all valid absentee ballots will be counted,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Those ballots could have correctable errors and clerks are alerting voters of their options.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – United States Vice President Mike Pence will host a “Make America Great Again” campaign event in Grand Rapids Wednesday. The event will take at Lacks Enterprises at 12:30 p.m. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12 p.m. The event will be the day after President Trump’s son, Eric Trump, will be hosting a campaign event Tuesday at Huron Valley Guns in New Hudson. HOW TO VOTE

Leaders of Michigan’s “Be Counted” campaign spoke Tuesday about the challenges and successes of completing the census, which impacts federal funding for schools, road repairs and other public programs. “We are deeply concerned that numerators will not have sufficient time to ensure that Michigan’s most vulnerable communities are fully counted,” state demographer Eric Guthrie said. “We are confident that Michigan’s wealthiest areas will be fully represented in the 2020 census. The “Be Counted” campaign is using advertisements to inform people about the importance of the census as well as knocking on doors in communities with limited access to the internet. The self-response rate for the entire U.P.

Tell us what you need to know to feel confident about voting your entire November ballot, from national to local races and issues. What do you need before it’s time for you to submit your ballot? Is there one candidate or one issue that you feel you need to be better informed about? Is there something you think we need to investigate and cover better? Please let us know:Decision 2020: Complete coverageMore: Voting by mail in Michigan for 2020 General Election: What to know

DETROIT – Dr. Jill Biden took a moment to discuss the unprecedented start to the school year and what she is focusing on for her husband’s presidential campaign. Jill Biden is an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College. Jill Biden has spent decades as an educator, so we can expect her to come to Michigan with some kind of message about academics in this unprecedented time. She has been on a “back to school” tour across the country. Watch the interview above.

Republican Peter Meijer has won the 2020 Republican primary election for U.S. House Michigan District 3. Meijer defeated Joe Farrington, Emily Rafi, Tom Norton, and Lynn Afendoulis in Tuesdays election. Meijer, who describes himself a son of West Michigan and a veteran of the war in Iraq, will now go up against Democrat Hillary Scholten in November. Scholten ran unopposed in the Aug. 4 primary. Related: Latest Election news

With daily case counts, quarantines and mask orders, headlines from the 1918 influenza pandemic are eerily familiar in the year 2020. Watch the video above to get a sense of the similarities between the events that are 100 years apart. More: Coronavirus news

So let’s take a look at all of the wild things that happened so far this year that you probably already forgot about, shall we? (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)Jan. 3: Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by the U.S. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)Feb. 5: After months of investigations, hearings and lots of tweets from Trump, the president was acquitted by the Senate on both articles of impeachment. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)And now we’re in June. It’s hard to believe that all of those things happened during a pandemic, so who knows what else is next?

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Mayor Mike Duggan delivered the 2020 State of the City on Tuesday night in Detroit. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

DETROIT – Do you live in one of Michigan’s fastest growing cities? HomeSnacks compiled a list of the state’s fastest growing populations in 2020. We’ll have more concrete data on this, with the Census coming in April, soon enough. 10 fastest growing Michigan cities:ColdwaterRockfordNoviAuburn HillsNew BaltimoreChelseaEast Grand RapidsKentwoodRochesterSouth LyonHere’s a more detailed look at the numbers:Fastest growing cities chart. (WDIV)Sign up to get stories like this one in the Morning Report Newsletter, a daily deep dive into interesting and important local topics.

DETROIT – A new report ranks the best jobs to have in 2020. U.S. World and News Report released their annual list of the best jobs to have for this year. “They pay well, challenge us year after year, match our talents and skills, aren’t too stressful, offer room to advance throughout our careers, and provide a satisfying work-life balance.”Those are some of the qualities considered when ranking the best jobs. Nurse Anesthetist - $167,95022. Genetic Counselor - $80,370View the top 100 jobs list here.

Watch live coverage as major cities around the world ring in the new year with celebrations and fireworks, with the last one in New York. 0000 GMT (7p ET) London0300 GMT (10p ET) Rio de Janeiro0500 GMT (12a ET) New York CityWatch live 2020 New Years celebrations below:

Some families in Detroit gathered to ring in 2020 before bedtime. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Watch live coverage as major cities around the world ring in the new year with celebrations and fireworks. 2300 GMT (6p ET) Paris, Berlin0000 GMT (7p ET) London0300 GMT (10p ET) Rio de Janeiro0500 GMT (12a ET) New York CityWatch live New Years celebrations below:

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Watch live coverage as major cities around the world ring in the new year with celebrations and fireworks. 1100 GMT (6a ET) Auckland, New Zealand1300 GMT (8a ET) Sydney, Australia1400 GMT (9a ET) Tokyo, Japan1500 GMT (10a ET) Pyongyang, North Korea1600 GMT (11a ET) Hong Kong (light show but no fireworks)2100 GMT (4p ET) Thailand, Dubai, and Moscow2300 GMT (6p ET) Paris, Berlin0000 GMT (7p ET) London0300 GMT (10p ET) Rio de Janeiro0500 GMT (12a ET) New York CityWatch live New Years celebrations below: