64º

QUARANTINE

U-M: COVID cases on Ann Arbor campus ‘decrease significantly’

University of Michigan asks students to test for COVID-19 before going home for holidaysANN ARBOR – Officials at the University of Michigan have announced a significant decrease in cases of COVID-19 on campus. In the school’s bi-weekly COVID update, officials reported on Tuesday that school-related cases now represent 27% of the total cases in Washtenaw County. Just two weeks ago, U-M cases -- the majority of which were linked to students -- accounted for 62% of the total cases in the county. AdSoon after, the school implemented mandatory weekly testing for graduate and professional students after outbreaks emerged in circles of older students and in off campus houses. Undergraduates on campus have been tested regularly for the virus since the start of the semester.

This one change to your home can make it all the cozier

If, during this time, you’ve been taking a good hard look at your home, perhaps you’ve been thinking you could use a change to make it a little cozier. Tiffany Moore, with 50 Floor, explained how just one change with new flooring can give your home a fresh new style and feel. For instance, replacing old carpeting with hardwood, vinyl, tile or laminate can give a room a sleek new look. Or if you want something warm and cozy, replace your old tile with new carpet. Did you know you can shop at home and see how your selection looks with the rest of the furniture?

University of Michigan: COVID cases rise, now represent one-third of total Washtenaw County cases

ANN ARBOR – Cases of COVID-19 have increased at the University of Michigan, now making up for 34% of total cases in Washtenaw County, university officials reported on Tuesday. The recommendation was urged by the Washtenaw County Health Department as several new cases of the new, highly contagious B117 COVID-19 variant were reported on campus. AdRead: University of Michigan students asked to stay home to curb virus spreadThe number of residences placed under quarantine has doubled since Saturday due to new positive cases and potential exposures. Read: University of Michigan identifies virus outbreaks at off-campus housesAccording to U-M’s COVID Dashboard, the university has reported 438 positive cases in the past 14 days, and 36,065 tests had been administered in the same time period. According to preliminary data, the positivity rate jumped the week starting Jan. 31 to 14.3%, compared to 1.3% the week prior.

Michigan Athletics put on pause -- Athletes, coaches, team-staff asked to quarantine

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – All athletic programs at the University of Michigan will be put on a 14-day pause starting Sunday, a school official confirmed Saturday night. Read: New COVID strain prompts 2-week pause of Michigan Athletics activitiesThe decision was made by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Team members -- student athletes, coaches and team staff -- are asked to immediately isolate or quarantine until further notice. MDHHS sent University of Michigan officials a memo explaining our recommendations, but has not issued any orders for the university to take any actions. Due to possible exposure to the virus in the community, MDHHS has also recommended increased testing in Washtenaw County to the Washtenaw County Health Department.

Build a kid-friendly winter obstacle course inspired by U-M gardens, arboretum staff

To help beat the winter blues, families are encouraged to venture outdoors to play, spend time together and get some fresh air. “In Gaffield Children’s Garden, we provide rich, open-ended nature play experiences. We encourage families to participate and replicate what we do here, in their own homes, apartments, and parks.”One such activity is constructing a winter obstacle course. They posted this obstacle course over the weekend:Anything can be used to construct the obstacle course -- snow balls, sticks, stumps and rope, to name a few items. Make sure you associate a mission with the course: “Let’s hop over three snowballs, circle the stump two times and sprint to the tree.”To see the full guide on creating a fun winter obstacle course, click here.

Classical music influences many, even that Wascally Wabbit

I make no claims to be a classical music buff. I have to admit, much of my classical music education came from Walter Lantz’s Woody Woodpecker and Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes among others. My first encounter with Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Second Movement, was from the theme music to the Huntley/Brinkley nightly news. Many thanks again to Gioachino Rossini for his toe tapping "William Tell Overture" (Did William Tell really shoot an apple off his son’s head with a bow and arrow?). You may be reminded of some childhood memory or some manufacturer that you never knew used classical music to sell its product.

monroenews.com

Man drives supplies from Ann Arbor to Lakota tribes in South Dakota during pandemic

ANN ARBOR – Kevin Leeser has been active in organizing donations of PPE since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and now that includes cleaning supplies. Leeser, who launched Operation Face Shield Ann Arbor, recently donated 500 face shields to the Lakota people in South Dakota who have experienced high case numbers. After they asked for cleaning supplies for their quarantined members, Leeser decided to rally the local community to donate supplies, which he is delivering himself this week. Read: Ann Arbor’s Operation Face Shield surpasses 50K donationsFor those who wish to donate funds, tax deductible donations can still be made to “Operation Face Shield” via CashApp. Local businesses Jerusalem Garden and Stadium Hardware donated supplies over the weekend.

CDC trims quarantine rules down from 14 to 7-10 days

Previously, if you were exposed to a person infected with SARS-CoV-2, the recommendation was that you quarantine for 14 days. That’s based on good evidence that most people will have developed symptoms by day 14 and, even if they don’t have symptoms, the risk of being infectious past day 14 is also low. It’s not that 14 days is bad, it’s just that’s how does society wants to balance it.”And balance is the important point. Based on what we know, the CDC didn’t say that 14 days is wrong and they are still recommending it when possible. Related: Will Michiganders be willing to get COVID-19 vaccine?

University of Michigan alum’s LEGO Ann Arbor campus goes viral

ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan alumnus and current employee, Adam Mael, has been a fan of LEGO since he can remember. A couple hours later the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan reached out and asked if they could share the pictures on their social media pages. Mael estimates that 30,000-32,000 pieces of LEGO make up the model, which measures roughly 3.5 by 3.5 feet. He estimates he has up to 200,000 LEGO pieces in his collection. He said if the times were different, he would be showing it at the Ann Arbor District Library’s Annual LEGO Contest.

Washtenaw County: Quarantine immediately if you suspect COVID-19 symptoms, exposure

ANN ARBOR – Due to an exponential growth in COVID-19 cases in the area, the Washtenaw County Health Department announced Thursday that it is now experiencing delays in contact tracing calls and emails. “Don’t wait for a call from the Health Department," Jimena Loveluck, health officer for Washtenaw County Health Department, said in a statement. All other residents who receive a positive test should follow established guidance and will be contacted as capacity allows. A person is considered contagious 2 days before their symptoms start or before their positive test if they do not have symptoms. The next pop-up testing opportunities are scheduled for Sat, Nov 14 at the Ypsilanti District Library at 5577 Whittaker Road and Sat, Nov 21 at Washtenaw County Health Department at 555 Towner Street.

University of Michigan quarantine, isolation housing occupancy pushes past 50%

ANN ARBOR – Quarantine and isolation housing occupancy at the University of Michigan stood at 52.2% on Monday, according to the school’s COVID-19 data dashboard. Mary Markley residence hall is currently housing the most students with positive COVID-19 cases. U-M and the Washtenaw County Health Department on Saturday released an order requiring all residents in Markley to practice enhanced social distancing and to stop attending in-person classes for 14 days. Here’s how the numbers break down, according to residence hall:Mary Markley: 99South Quadrangle: 47West Quadrangle: 37East Quadrangle: 17Mosher Jordan Hall: 17Oxford Housing: 13Alice Lloyd Hall: 7Bursley Hall: 7Couzens Hall: 5As of Monday afternoon, the university has not posted data for Oct. 19 as coronavirus cases rise across the state. To see U-M’s COVID-19 data dashboard, visit www.campusblueprint.umich.edu/dashboard.

11 times we were reminded there is good, despite the dud of a year we’ve had

Despite the fact that the entire world has been living through a pandemic, there has been a lot of good happening, and we have managed to find quite a bit of it. There are so many people doing good things, but we’ll start by sharing these 11 stories with you. It was some time before the two were reunited, but when they did, “they were laughing like teenagers.”Want to read more? Community raises $300K for injured, retired Army veteran’s new smart home: ‘Pam will never be alone’U.S. Army Sgt. “And I didn’t want to put anyone in danger.”Then, Knowles found out about some special face coverings for the deaf.

Michigan officials take steps to protect pine trees from devastating invasive mountain pine beetle

LANSING, Mich. – Steps are being taken to protect Michigan’s pine trees from the mountain pine beetle. The mountain pine beetle is a destructive forest pest in North America. READ: More invasive species coverageWhat is a mountain pine beetle? Mountain pine beetles is an insect native to the forests of western North America and is also known as the Black Hills beetle or the Rocky Mountain pine beetle. Michigan’s pine resources are at risk of attack by MPB, including white pine, jack pine, red pine, Austrian pine, and Scots pine.

‘Cluster’ of COVID-19 cases confirmed at University of Michigan residence hall

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan has confirmed a “cluster” of COVID-19 positive cases in the South Quad residence hall on its downtown Ann Arbor campus. On Thursday, the university announced that the sixth and eighth floors of the residence hall have the most cases and are “the area of focus” through a community notice. The cluster was identified by U-M Environment, Health & Safety and the Washtenaw County Health Department. There have been 65 positive cases across the U-M campus in the past two weeks, according to its COVID-19 dashboard. Anyone that has symptoms or a high risk or known exposure, should contact University Health Service (UHS) at 734-764-8320 or complete the online assessment immediately.

More East Lansing houses ordered to quarantine amid Michigan State University coronavirus outbreak

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Ingham County Health Department has ordered residents of 39 large houses in East Lansing to self-quarantine amid an ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak among the Michigan State University community. “The current situation deeply concerns me for the MSU and East Lansing communities,” Vail said. We are truly in a crisis situation, especially in East Lansing. We must do all we can to contain the outbreak.”Of the total 39 large houses currently placed under mandatory quarantine in East Lansing, 25 are fraternity and sorority houses and 14 are large rental houses. The university announced 124 new COVID-19 cases among MSU students during the week of Aug. 31 through Sept. 8.

Michigan State students react to mandatory quarantine of 30 large houses in East Lansing

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Ingham County Health Department is taking action after seeing a spike in cases since Michigan State University students headed back to East Lansing. Action involved placing students living in 23 fraternity and sorority houses and seven rental homes under a mandatory quarantine. The Ingham County Health Department made the decision to quarantine the entire buildings after a spike in positive cases in East Lansing this month. The majority of all new cases are MSU students. This mandatory quarantine for specific off-campus houses is another helpful tool to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

Here are the 30 fraternities, sororities, other houses under mandatory quarantine in East Lansing

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Here is a list of the 30 fraternities, sororities and rental properties in East Lansing that are now under a mandatory quarantine for two weeks due to known cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19). AvenueQuarantine detailsThe two-week quarantine was issued for anyone living in the 30 properties above. I am disheartened to add that this outbreak is being fueled in part by a lack of cooperation and compliance from some MSU students, many residing in the properties now under mandatory quarantine. Police officers can arrest someone if they witness a violation or have reasonable cause to believe a violation has occurred. More than half of all new cases countywide reside in the city of East Lansing, and the majority of all new cases are MSU students, according to health experts.

Mandatory quarantine issued for people living in 30 large houses linked to COVID-19 in East Lansing

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Health officials have ordered a mandatory two-week quarantine for people living in 30 large houses -- including 23 fraternities and sororities -- linked to coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks in East Lansing. Violating the quarantine can result in jail time and/or fines, officials said. Officials with the Ingham County Health Department identified 23 fraternities and sororities and seven other large rental houses as having links to COVID-19. I am disheartened to add that this outbreak is being fueled in part by a lack of cooperation and compliance from some MSU students, many residing in the properties now under mandatory quarantine. More than half of all new cases countywide reside in the city of East Lansing, and the majority of all new cases are MSU students, according to health experts.

Student video criticizing University of Michigan’s ‘quarantine housing’ goes viral

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A student’s social media video went viral this weekend criticizing the University of Michigan’s “quarantine housing” designated for students who test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The viral video comes as U-M graduate student instructors are on strike, protesting the university’s return to in-person learning amid the pandemic. According to the University of Michigan’s digital COVID-19 tracker, 74 cases were reported since students returned to campus on Aug. 24. “Students are not required to use the university’s quarantine housing and some prefer to return to their permanent residences for quarantine,” said U-M Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Rick Fitzgerald. “If students need transportation to quarantine housing, the university provides transportation through our Division of Public Safety & Security.