Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is giving another update on the state's fight against COVID-19. Watch live here: freep.com/story/news/loc…
Whitmer notes US surpassing 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19.
"It's enough to fill the Big House in Ann Arbor five times over."
"It's enough to fill the Big House in Ann Arbor five times over."
Whitmer: "If we took one minute of silence to recognize each life, it would last" more than 10 days.
Says it is important to remember the cost of the pandemic and to stay vigilant against its spread.
Says it is important to remember the cost of the pandemic and to stay vigilant against its spread.
Whitmer again calls on #mileg to pass her proposal to allocate billions in federal funds already approved by Congress. (At this point, there's likely no way the Legislature passes her proposal) freep.com/story/news/pol…
Whitmer: "We can't spend money to test people and ramp up vaccinations if we don't have it."
Whitmer notes that as of today, 83% of school districts are currently offering some in-person option. She says 97% will offer some form of in-person learning by March 1.
freep.com/story/news/edu…
freep.com/story/news/edu…
Whitmer: With proper precautions, resources and guidelines, we can mitigate the risk, minimize community spread and return to in-person learning.
Whitmer discussing safety procedures for schools, including students wearing masks, spacing desks and prioritizing hand washing.
Says schools should attempt to adopt a cohort model, where the same students and teachers remains with each other for the majority of the day
Says schools should attempt to adopt a cohort model, where the same students and teachers remains with each other for the majority of the day
Whitmer: Every decision around schools feels personal. We all want what's best for them.
Again argues #mileg needs to pass governor's plan for using federal COVID-19 relief funds.
"No excuses, no games. Just get it done."
Again argues #mileg needs to pass governor's plan for using federal COVID-19 relief funds.
"No excuses, no games. Just get it done."
.@LtGovGilchrist speaking about work of the racial disparities taskforce. Yesterday, the state announced that 3.7% of people who've received vaccines in Michigan are Black (the state lacks race/ethnicity data for almost 44% of those vaccinated) freep.com/story/news/hea…
Gilchrist, discussing this data: Upon seeing the initial data that was reported, it's clear: we need to continue our efforts to get more communities of color vaccinated.
Gilchrist: I caution against drawing premature conclusions before we have all of the data.
It takes time to get it right, but we will get this right (re: data collection and equitable vaccination distribution)
It takes time to get it right, but we will get this right (re: data collection and equitable vaccination distribution)
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun (@MDHHS_CME) up next:
- 95 cases per million, declining rate for 6 weeks
- 3.5% test positivity rate
- 4.9% of in-patient hospital beds for COVID patients
Khaldun says avg. number of tests down.
"Testing is still a critical part of our COVID-19 response."
- 95 cases per million, declining rate for 6 weeks
- 3.5% test positivity rate
- 4.9% of in-patient hospital beds for COVID patients
Khaldun says avg. number of tests down.
"Testing is still a critical part of our COVID-19 response."
Khaldun says the state has confirmed 314 cases of COVID-19 variants across 19 counties
Khaldun: "While we are doing well, our progress is fragile."
Renews call for people to get tested if they may have been exposed or experience symptoms, to get a vaccine when one becomes available and for people to continue to follow safety practices
Renews call for people to get tested if they may have been exposed or experience symptoms, to get a vaccine when one becomes available and for people to continue to follow safety practices
Whitmer: "I just can't understand why the Michigan Legislature would not deploy $5 billion into the Michigan economy, for vaccines, or testing...it threatens to undermine our economy and our ability to keep people safe."
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