Scalise says GOP memo on closed-door Birx testimony confirms world was 'misled' on COVID
The memo, exclusively obtained by Fox News, provides โkey takeawaysโ from Birxโs committee testimony to Republicans and gives fresh insight into the origins of the virus as well as the US governmentโs pandemic response.
news.yahoo.comTonight at 8: โCoronavirus Crisis: The Vaccinesโ -- LIVE WDIV Special
WDIV-Local 4 continues its commitment to deliver crucial, up-to-date information from experts and the stationโs team of reporters by airing a live, hour-long special called โCoronavirus Crisis: The Vaccinesโ on Wednesday, April 14 at 8 p.m.
Why this week's Fed meeting could be 'March madness' for markets
Stefani Reynolds | ReutersOdds are high the Fed will move markets this week, no matter how hard it tries not to. "This will be the March Madness," for the markets, he said, referring to the highly anticipated collegiate basketball tournament. But the Fed also releases officials' latest forecasts for the economy and interest rates. He also said the Fed could also start raising short-term interest rates next year without hurting the economy. The Fed has not forecast any interest rate hikes until after 2023, but that could change in its latest forecast.
cnbc.comTune in for the All Day Event and Special on Local 4
โCoronavirus Crisis: One Year Laterโ All Day Event - followed by a Primetime Special (9 PM)Itโs been one year since COVID-19 has been a part of our lives and at Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit, our mission is to keep you informed about the impact on our community and to give you the latest information available to keep you safe. Devin Scillian, Kimberly Gill, Dr. Frank McGeorge, and the Local 4 team come together for an Event Day to update you on this crisis: all day, all newscasts. Then, join us for a primetime special - โCoronavirus Crisis: One Year Laterโ - at 9 p.m. on Local 4. From the latest vaccine information to โActs of Kindnessโ at a Clarkston food pantry, other stories include:COVIDโs impact on unemployment and small businessesA local teacherโs yearlong video diaryPlus, a local woman spends her 100th birthday in quarantineAnd at 10 p.m. you wonโt want to miss the NBC Special - โCOVID One Year Later: Life After Lockdown.โ
Help us honor those we lost to COVID-19
More than 16,000 Michigan lives were lost due to COVID-19. Each number is a well-rounded life lost. Letโs honor and celebrate the lives lived while we mourn those who have passed. Please upload a picture and a bio of your loved one below. Some may be featured throughout the day on Local 4 News, Thursday, March 11.
Michigan high schools allowed to reopen today as part of revised COVID order
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan high schools are allowed to resume in-person learning on Monday as a part of Michiganโs revised COVID-19 order issued before the holiday break in December. Indoor venues where people can remain masked and socially distanced -- movie theaters, stadiums, bowling alleys, casinos -- can reopen without food or drink concessions. READ: COVID-19 restrictions stay the same for Michigan restaurants as other venues prepare to reopenTotal capacity at those indoor venues will be capped at 100. MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick a single other household to interact with. And as always: mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where COVID-19 can easily spread from person to person.
When can we realistically expect schools to reopen?
DETROIT โ There could be some good news on the horizon in terms of reopening schools and getting back to normal. During a Harvard webinar, Dr. Anthony Fauci told a group that transmission in schools is lower than originally thought. Read: Michigan high schools allowed to reopen today as part of revised COVID orderโWhen you look at it, the number of children getting it is less than you would have expected, which is good news for keeping the children in school,โ Fauci said. โIf it spreads in the school, the kids brings it home, parent brings it to work and spreads it there,โ Sims said. โWe have teachers who are ill, teachers quarantined from home and thereโs a substitute shortage,โ Roberts said.
2020 is over: When can we realistically expect things to improve?
As the vaccine rollout continues, many people are excited that 2020 is finally in the past. While that doesnโt mean coronavirus disappeared at midnight, experts are weighing in when itโs realistic to expect things to get back to normal. He said mask wearing, social distancing and other precautions will stay in place until at least 70% of the population is vaccinated. Those things will affect how long it takes to reach broad public immunity.โThe same thoughts are held on a national level too. Dr. Anthony Fauci said masks, social distancing and other precautions will have to stay in place until the majority of people are vaccinated.
Looking back at 110 stories that define Gov. Whitmerโs handling of COVID-19 in Michigan this year
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. โGood news, sports fans: We are now ready to gradually and safely allow professional sports to resume in Michigan,โ 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.
Here are the new COVID-19 vaccine priority phases for distribution in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials revealed a new list of priority phases for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in the state. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services updated the phases for essential workers and residents at high risk of severe infection. The recommended guidelines for phases 1B and 1C of vaccine distribution were updated Sunday (Dec. 20) to try to balance prevention and societal function. This data is being tracked on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard. The COVID-19 vaccine will require two doses, separated by three or four weeks, depending on the manufacturer.
10 most-read COVID related stories on All About Ann Arbor in 2020
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic kept the community on edge and gave us plenty to write about -- not all of it good, and not all of it bad. READ: 10 most-read All About Ann Arbor stories of 2020 that werenโt COVID relatedHereโs a look back at the 10 most-read COVID related All About Ann Arbor stories in 2020:1. Experts project aggressive social distancing could drastically reduce Michigan COVID-19 cases by MayFrom March: Michigan Medicine clinicians said forecasting models suggested that aggressive social distancing could drastically reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in Michigan by early May. Washtenaw County: COVID-19 cases double, community spread โnow likelyโFrom March: On Thursday, March 19, the number of COVID-19 cases in the county doubled to 14, according to the Health Department. VIEW: Possible Washtenaw County coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure locationsFrom March: Health officials released a list of possible exposure locations that had been visited by residents of Oakland and Washtenaw counties who had the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Wayne County hands out $500 gift cards to restaurant, service workers affected by pandemic
โBut it doesnโt make any sense because Iโm not working now.โHinkley visited Eastern Market Wednesday to pick up a debit card from the Wayne County Cares Program. โThis is kind of what I would call Wayne County stimulus package, since the feds havenโt been able to figure out how to get it done,โ said Wayne County executive Warren Evans. The money is being given to 12,000 Wayne County residents whose jobs have been impacted by the pandemic. In addition to the Wayne County Cares program, the county devoted resources to support local small businesses and local nonprofits. More information can be found on the Wayne County Cares official website here.
Michigan will not release daily COVID-19 data on 4 upcoming holidays
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials will not release the number of daily COVID-19 cases or deaths on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Yearโs Eve or New Yearโs Day, the state announced. On Wednesday (Dec. 23), Michigan announced 3,443 new COVID-19 cases and 70 additional deaths, bringing the state totals to 469,928 cases and 11,775 deaths. The next update wonโt come until Saturday (Dec. 26), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced. โWe wanted to give MDHHS staff some time off during the holidays,โ MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said. The same will be true after New Yearโs Day, with new numbers being posted Jan. 2 and Jan. 4.
5 Michigan businesses fined for COVID-19 safety violations -- Hereโs what state says they did
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)Five Michigan businesses have been fined for violating COVID-19 safety rules and putting workers at risk, state officials said. Here are the five businesses, including how much they were fined and what the violations entailed. Not developing and enforcing policies and procedures for employees to report when they are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID19. Reason for inspection: Employee complaintClick here to view the full citation document. Not posting signs at the store entranceReason for inspection: Employee complaintClick here to view the full citation document.
Gov. Whitmer hints at possibility of resuming indoor dining at Michigan restaurants
Michigan restaurants are still fighting to resume indoor dining, which is banned by the stateโs COVID-19 order, but Gov. Related stories :Whitmer said she wants to reopen restaurants as soon as she can, but the industry has been on the wrong end of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Servicesโ restrictions. The owner of Century Bowl, in Waterford Township, said the shutdown order on food and alcohol services at many venues is misguided. Bowling alleys, casinos and other entertainment venues were allowed to reopen Monday, but they canโt serve food or drink concessions. READ: Whitmer commutes sentences for 4 men serving decades in prison for nonviolent crimesPeople arenโt allowed to bowl with anyone other than their families.
MDHHS using 2 โcore, science-based ideasโ to decide what should reopen, remain closed in Michigan
Michiganโs top health director revealed the two โcore, science-based ideasโ experts are using to decide what should be allowed to reopen and what should remain closed due to COVID-19 in the state. Gretchen Whitmer and MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun on Friday to announce an updated COVID-19 order that reopened some venues but extended restrictions on others. As part of the new order, certain entertainment venues that had been closed for the last month can reopen with limited capacity. Restaurants arenโt allowed to resume indoor dining. Gordon said the latest MDHHS order is โbased on settled science and Michigan values.โโWe are cautiously moving to address other activities based on two core, science-based values,โ Gordon said.
Michigan will โseriously considerโ lifting COVID restrictions early, depending on progress
Michiganโs new COVID-19 order went into effect Monday and is scheduled to last through mid-January, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the state will โseriously considerโ lifting protocols sooner if recent progress is sustained. As part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Servicesโ new COVID-19 order, certain entertainment venues that had been closed for the last month can reopen with limited capacity. But during Fridayโs announcement, Whitmer said the state would consider lifting restrictions sooner if the metrics continue in the right direction. โThis new order expires on Jan. 15, but if we substantially sustain our progress, we will seriously consider lifting protocols sooner,โ Whitmer said.
โAngryโ Whitmer demands to know why Michigan has only received fraction of COVID-19 vaccine doses
โWhere are our doses?โ Whitmer asked during the briefing. Iโm angry because this virus is raging on in this country.โThe governor admitted sheโs angry about the distribution of the vaccine. Health care workers at the University of Michigan Hospital began receiving the first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 14. But on Friday, Whitmer challenged the White House, demanding to know more about the doses Michigan had already planned to receive. RELATED: Michigan Republicans โcondemnโ decision to keep many businesses closed through holidaysShe said there are millions of doses of the Pfizer vaccine waiting to be shipped, including in Portage, Michigan.
Michigan outlines 3 key COVID metrics that must decline for state to reopen, and why they matter
Michigan officials have outlined three key COVID-19 metrics that need to decline before the state can continue to reopen safely. COVID-19 case rate is the second metric. Thatโs the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per million residents in the state. Positivity rate measures whether the state could be missing cases in the community. The Jackson Region has the highest case rate, at 589, and the Traverse City Region is the lowest, at 357.
Michiganโs new COVID-19 order now in effect: Hereโs whatโs reopened and whatโs still closed
Michiganโs new COVID-19 order is officially in effect, so here is what reopened Monday, as well as what remains closed. MORE ON RESTRICTIONS :The revised order is in effect through Jan. 15. ReopeningThe updated restrictions allowed many entertainment venues to reopen with limited capacity. Groups are limited to single households of up to six people, MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said. โThere will not be changes for highest risk settings of indoor bars and dining where masks are necessarily removed,โ Gordon said.
Michigan movie theaters, casinos, bowling alleys to reopen Monday
MORE: Hereโs everything thatโs reopening under Michiganโs revised COVID-19 orderโI think this is a glass half full situation,โ said Emagine Entertainmentโs Chairman and co-founder, Paul Glantz. After weeks of having to abruptly shut down, Emagine theaters -- along with other businesses -- will finally be able to reopen its doors. โNow weโre not allowed to offer our guests food and beverage items, so there will be no concession sales,โ Glantz said. And until then his business will continue to follow and practice the procedures necessary to keep movie goers safe. When will Michigan restaurants be allowed to reopen after the most recent shutdown due to COVID-19?
Lake Orion restaurant opens indoor dining despite COVID-19 restrictions
LAKE ORION, Mich. โ Michigan has loosened COVID-19 restrictions for several indoor venues, including casinos, bowling alleys and movie theaters, but indoor dining at restaurants is still not allowed. โThere will not be changes for highest risk settings of indoor bars and dining where masks are necessarily removed,โ Gordon said. Gretchen Whitmer laid out the science behind the ban in November, where she cited multiple studies that showed an increase in the spread of COVID-19 and indoor dining. โItโs not the restaurantโs fault. โIf you feel comfortable coming in here, who are you do say no when you can go to all these other places?โ Luchkovitc said.
Gov. Whitmer slams vaccine distribution, plans high school to return to in-person learning
Gretchen Whitmer announced the state is revising its COVID-19 order to resume in-person high school classes, reopen certain indoor entertainment venues and allow non-contact outdoor sports and fitness classes. After her friend Wayne County sheriff Benny Napoleon died from COVID-19, Whitmer said when it comes the vaccine distribution is bottlenecked due to Washington. โMy frustration level is high because in Portage there are vaccines ready to be distributed,โ Whitmer said. In person learning at high school can resume. However, restaurants and bars will remain closed since patrons need to remove masks to eat or drink.
Michigan Republicans โcondemnโ decision to keep many businesses closed through holidays
LANSING, Mich. โ Minutes after the state announced updated COVID-19 restrictions, Michigan Republicans released a statement โcondemningโ the decision to keep many businesses closed through the holidays. Michigan Gov. While some indoor venues where people can wear masks and maintain social distancing will be allowed to reopen, other parts of the economy -- most notably indoor dining at restaurants -- are still banned. READ: COVID-19 restrictions stay the same for Michigan restaurants as other venues prepare to reopenโI am happy to see that Gov. However, officials would be willing to consider lifting more restrictions before Jan. 15 if Michigan makes enough progress, Whitmer said.
COVID-19 restrictions stay the same for Michigan restaurants as other venues prepare to reopen
(Photo by Richard Bord/Getty Images)LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan has loosened COVID-19 restrictions for several indoor venues, including casinos, bowling alleys and movie theaters, but indoor dining at restaurants is still not allowed. In fact, the updated order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services didnโt change the restrictions on restaurants at all. FROM TUESDAY: When could Michigan restaurants reopen? โThere will not be changes for highest risk settings of indoor bars and dining where masks are necessarily removed,โ Gordon said. Since dining at restaurants requires people from different households to remove their masks in the same area, itโs inherently risky, Gordon and Gov.
Hereโs everything thatโs reopening under Michiganโs revised COVID-19 order
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan updated its COVID-19 restrictions Friday, reopening certain parts of the state as metrics across the state improve. Gretchen Whitmer said the state would consider lifting protocols sooner if the state makes substantial progress toward slowing the spread of COVID-19. Hereโs a look at whatโs reopening:Indoor venuesCertain indoor venues where people can remain masked and socially distanced can reopen without food or drink concessions. Total capacity at those indoor venues will be capped at 100. MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick a single other household to interact with.
Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venues
Gretchen Whitmer announced the state is revising its COVID-19 order to resume in-person high school classes, reopen certain indoor entertainment venues and allow non-contact outdoor sports and fitness classes. Indoor venues where people can remain masked and socially distanced -- movie theaters, stadiums, bowling alleys, casinos -- can reopen without food or drink concessions. READ: COVID-19 restrictions stay the same for Michigan restaurants as other venues prepare to reopenTotal capacity at those indoor venues will be capped at 100. MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick a single other household to interact with. And as always: mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where COVID-19 can easily spread from person to person.
Everything you should know about COVID-19 in Michigan on Friday (Dec. 18)
UPDATE: Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venuesREFRESHER: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs last COVID-19 briefing (Tuesday)Click here to watch Whitmerโs Friday briefing live. Since winter has arrived, most Michigan restaurants arenโt able to serve customers in any sit-down capacity. Vaccine movementThe first group of Michigan health care workers received their first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. Most recent numbersMichigan reported 4,024 new COVID-19 cases and 190 additional deaths Thursday, including 125 deaths from a Vital Records review. More storiesHereโs the complete coverage from Tuesdayโs COVID-19 briefing:
Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on Michiganโs response to COVID-19
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Friday on the stateโs response to COVID-19. UPDATE: Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venuesThe state has been under a โpauseโ that placed stricter COVID-19 regulations on restaurants, schools and more, but that order is scheduled to expire Sunday (Dec. 20). You can watch the full briefing in the video posted above. On Friday, Whitmer was be joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as well as MDHHS Director Robert Gordon.
How close are we to getting a second vaccine out?
The FDAโs vaccine advisory panel voted Thursday to recommend the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use authorization. The panel of independent experts has been reviewing the safety, efficacy and implications of recommending the second vaccine. The favorable vote from the panel clears the path for Modernaโs vaccine to become the second approved for use in the United States. Moderna had the advantage of watching the FDAโs review of the Pfizer vaccine and came prepared to answer the anticipated questions. More than 25% of Modernaโs volunteers are health care workers who are now eligible to get Pfizerโs vaccine.
9 major takeaways from Michigan Gov. Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing
Moderna vaccine expected soonWhitmer said she expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week. โOver the weekend, the first shipments of the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine left Portage, Michigan,โ Whitmer said. Vaccine factsKhaldun took a deep dive into COVID-19 vaccine facts Tuesday, including how effective the vaccines are, when everyone can expect to receive them and potential side effects. Vaccine scamsNessel outlined four specific types of COVID-19 vaccine scams circulating in the state and explained how theyโre targeting residents. โIn the three weeks since I sent that letter, nearly 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19,โ Whitmer said.
When could Michigan restaurants reopen? Why are they still shut down while other places arenโt?
LANSING, Mich. โ When will Michigan restaurants be allowed to reopen after the most recent shutdown due to COVID-19? Why are restaurants still closed while other types of places are allowed to remain open? Right now, restaurants are limited to carry-out and delivery orders, as indoor dining is shut down through at least Dec. 20. They feel COVID-19 restrictions are inconsistent, with people allowed to go to malls or grocery stores, but not restaurants. โThere is a ban on indoor dining, and I think that to the extent that these restaurants are seeing that happen in other realms -- that is unfortunate,โ Whitmer said.
4 types of COVID-19 vaccine scams circulating in Michigan and how they work
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs attorney general outlined four specific types of COVID-19 vaccine scams circulating in the state and explained how theyโre targeting residents. READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15Attorney General Dana Nessel joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during Tuesdayโs briefing to warn Michiganders about scammers looking to capitalize on the COVID-19 vaccine excitement. โFake vaccine treatments, test kits and clinical trials are just some of those examples of what scammers are going to be putting out there,โ she said. Michigan expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week.
17 important COVID-19 vaccine facts from Michiganโs top health official
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs top health official took a deep dive into COVID-19 vaccine facts Tuesday, including how effective the vaccines are, when everyone can expect to receive them and potential side effects. Gretchen Whitmer expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is 95% effective, and is safe. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been tested in trials, including tens of thousands of people. Residents have to return for a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine three weeks after the first dose.
3 key metrics all reveal positive COVID-19 trends in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. โ Three of the most important COVID-19 metrics are showing positive signs that Michigan is heading in the right direction, the stateโs chief medical executive said. Michigan is currently at 560 cases per million people, a number that has been trending downward for 22 straight days, Khaldun said. Case rates for all eight geographical regions are on the decline, she said. Overall, 18.5% of hospital beds in the state have COVID-19 patients in them, which has also declined, according to Khaldun. The percentage of statewide COVID-19 tests that are coming back positive is down to 12.3%, Khaldun said.
Michigan governor again asks for permanent extension of unemployment benefits due to COVID-19
Gretchen Whitmer is asking state lawmakers for a permanent extension of unemployment benefits due to COVID-19. READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15FROM DEC. 1: Whitmer wants Michigan Legislature to pass permanent extension of unemployment benefitsThe governor took aim at the Republican-led state legislature during her Tuesday (Dec. 15) COVID-19 briefing, urging them to take action on a number of issues, including bipartisan COVID-19 restrictions, unemployment benefits and a $100 million stimulus plan. โI also need them to remember to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits,โ Whitmer said. โI appreciate the Senateโs expansion of unemployment benefits to 26 weeks, through March, but we really need to work together to pass a permanent extension to protect the countless Michiganders and their livelihoods.โWhitmer said thousands of Michiganders are in danger of losing benefits at the end of the year. Lawmakers didnโt approve of Whitmerโs emergency orders issued throughout the pandemic, saying she shouldnโt be able to make such decisions without their approval.
Whitmer โready to signโ $100 million stimulus plan for Michigan families, businesses hurt by COVID-19
Gretchen Whitmer says she is ready to sign a $100 million economic stimulus plan to help families and small businesses struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. โYesterday, I sent another letter to the Legislature, urging them to work with me on priorities like $100 million in COVID-19 relief,โ Whitmer said. โThere are people out there who have spent a lifetime building up their small businesses,โ Whitmer said. โWe here in Michigan have got to step up and take action,โ Whitmer said. Lawmakers didnโt approve of Whitmerโs emergency orders issued throughout the pandemic, saying she shouldnโt be able to make such decisions without their approval.
Gov. Whitmer: 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19 since I sent letter to legislators
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs governor continues to push for bipartisan support of COVID-19 restrictions, saying 2,000 residents have died from the virus since she sent a letter to legislators three weeks ago. READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15Gov. โIn the three weeks since I sent that letter, nearly 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19,โ Whitmer said. We cannot afford to wait any longer.โTension between Whitmer and the Republican-led Legislature has existed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers didnโt approve of Whitmerโs emergency orders issued throughout the pandemic, saying she shouldnโt be able to make such decisions without their approval.
Which COVID-19 vaccine should you take once both are approved: Pfizer or Moderna?
Gretchen Whitmer expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week -- so which of the two should people get? READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15The governor spoke about vaccines during her Tuesday briefing. โOver the weekend, the first shipments of the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine left Portage, Michigan,โ Whitmer said. โIn the next week, we expect the Moderna vaccine to be approved. It doesnโt matter which -- the Pfizer or the Moderna, or maybe others that will come online.
Whitmer says Michiganโs increased COVID-19 restrictions are working: โWe are making progressโ
Gretchen Whitmer believes the stateโs stricter COVID-19 rules, which were extended into next week, are successfully slowing the spread of the virus. It is working.โWhitmer said the stateโs number of COVID-19 cases is decreasing, and that the dip correlates with the day the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued its three-week โpause.โโSimply put, what weโre doing is working,โ Whitmer said. High school and college classes were shifted to fully remote formats and most entertainment venues were shuttered for the pause. On Dec. 7, the pause was extended an additional 12 days -- until Dec. 20 -- so officials could gauge the impact of the Thanksgiving holiday. Michigan reported 4,730 new COVID-19 cases and 183 additional deaths (71 from a Vital Records review) on Tuesday, bringing the state totals to 442,715 cases and 10,935 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
New tool tells Michigan residents how likely they are to get COVID-19, how severe case could be
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched โCV19 CheckUpโ -- a free, anonymous tool that evaluates someoneโs risks associated with COVID-19. Click here to visit the CV19 CheckUp tool online. Travis said the tool can be used by all Michigan residents, but itโs specifically designed to help adults 60 and older. The tool used artificial intelligence to analyze each person through an online questionnaire. โCV19 CheckUp was developed to fill an urgent public need,โ said Jim Firman, chief innovation officer at BellAge.
Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 cases, response in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Tuesday on the stateโs response to COVID-19 and the efforts to slow the spread of the virus. READ: 9 major takeaways from Michigan Gov. Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefingDr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined Whitmer. Nessel revealed on Twitter that she is joining Whitmer to discuss COVID-19 vaccine scams.
Servers hopeful for restaurant reopening when Michiganโs 3-week โpauseโ ends Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.
Lawmakers in Washington claim they may have a compromise on a COVID Relief Bill that would extend unemployment benefits and help small businesses. Michiganโs โthree-week pauseโ in that bans indoor dining at bars and restaurants, in-person learning at high schools and colleges ends Tuesday at 11:59 p.m., but itโs still unclear if Gov. For single mothers and servers at Andiamo restaurant, Kelly and Melissa, preparing for the holidays have been rougher than usual. Since the latest set of restrictions were put into place by the Governor, making ends meet isnโt as easy as it was when restaurants were open for in-person dining. Just let us open back up and let the people who want to come out, come back,โ Melissa concluded.
Michigan Majority Leader Sen. Shirkey wants reopening metrics for restaurants released
This time theyโre butting heads over the closure of bars and restaurants to slow the spread of COVID-19. Shirkey said heโs concerned about bars and restaurants and released a statement Friday that reads, in part: โWe demand Gov. Whitmer provide the metrics by which restaurants in Michigan can reopen in preparation for the expiration of her latest shut down order on December 9th. โBuy gift certificates for people for the holiday if youโre looking for gifts and want to also support your local restaurant. On a day when Michigan reported 7,146 new cases and 175 deaths -- the fifth highest since March -- this is what the senator chooses to talk about.โRelated:
8 ways Michigan is trying to prevent rapid spread of COVID-19 in prisons, according to governor
LANSING, Mich. โ COVID-19 is spreading rapidly among inmates inside Michigan prisons, but the governor outlined eight specific ways the state is trying to combat that spread. She said this is an issue her administration takes โvery seriously.โ State officials are working with the Department of Corrections to try to make the prisons more safe from the virus. READ: Governor responds to Michigan restaurants considering defying state order, reopeningHere are eight ways Michigan is trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, according to Whitmer:Inmates are required to wear masks, practice social distancing and utilize proper hygienic protocols. Wayne State University provides doctors that serve as the head of MDCโs clinical COVID-19 response. MDC leadership has regular meetings with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to learn more about the virus.
Powell stresses importance of lending programs, calls economic outlook 'extraordinarily uncertain'
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized the importance of the lending programs it has deployed during the coronavirus pandemic, telling senators in testimony to be delivered Tuesday that they've been integral in keeping the economic fallout from being worse. In separate remarks, Mnuchin said the $455 billion in funding directed to the Fed would be better used for other purposes. The Fed has said it would have preferred to continue the programs into next year. "Based on recent economic data, I continue to believe that a targeted fiscal package is the most appropriate federal response. Addressing the economy, Powell provided a lukewarm outlook that he again said will be dependent on the progress of the virus, which has been spreading rapidly lately.
cnbc.comChicago nurse treating COVID-19 patients gets Thanksgiving phone call from Vice President-elect Kamala Harris: โI know that itโs personal for youโ
In May, Hardin offered written testimony to the U.S. House of Representativesโ Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis detailing her experience working in the ICU with COVID-19 patients. In her statement, Hardin wrote that โhospital management has consistently refused to give nurses in my unit the protections that we need to avoid exposure and infection.โ
chicagotribune.comMore Americans approve of Fauci's handling of coronavirus than Trump's, new poll finds
At the same time, only 41% of respondents said they approve of how Trump is managing the virus, versus 59% who disapprove. American voters overwhelmingly approve of how the country's top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, is handling the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll. In six battleground states, 66% of voters answered that they approve of how Fauci is handling Covid-19, versus 34% who disapprove. The poll findings came Monday, hours after the president suggested he could fire the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director following Tuesday's presidential election. At a campaign rally in Florida early Monday, the president signaled he could try to dismiss the infectious diseases expert during a rampaging pandemic.
cnbc.comHHS Secretary Azar says U.S. could have enough coronavirus vaccine doses for every American by March
He touted the U.S. government's partnership with medical supply company McKesson, which was tapped as the main distributor for Covid-19 vaccines. Trump has repeatedly insisted a vaccine could be authorized for emergency use as early as October with enough vaccine doses for every American by April. In the plan, the CDC said it anticipates a coronavirus vaccine will initially be granted an emergency use authorization before a full formal approval. Azar's comments come as infectious disease experts and scientists fear a Covid-19 vaccine will be distributed before it's been adequately tested. Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration laid out updated safety standards for Covid-19 vaccine makers.
cnbc.comWatch live: HHS Secretary Alex Azar testifies before lawmakers on the coronavirus
The U.S. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis is holding a hearing Friday to question Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on the U.S. response to the pandemic. It is Azar's first appearance in Congress since February, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), the subcommittee chair, said. And the hearing comes hours after Trump announced he and the first lady both tested positive for the coroanvirus. In a tweet, Azar said on Friday that he tested negative for the virus and would testify in person. Read CNBC's live updates to see the latest news on the Covid-19 outbreak.
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