news

Here is an update for April 16, 2020.

Thought of the day: Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain.

Lots of calls and Zoom meetings. Starting at 7am and ending late into the night. Last night I hosted my weekly town hall. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined us and so did Susan Ringler-Cerniglia, Communications and Health Promotion Administrator for Washtenaw County, and Dr. Anurag Malani, Medical Director Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship program at St. Joseph Mercy Health system. Lots of good questions and people asking what’s being done to keep them safe and healthy. People are asking questions about the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order. There’s only one answer to questions on it – Governor Whitmer is doing what’s best for public health. Still getting many questions on small business loans. We’re working hard to ensure every small business that applied for a loan receives it. Congress is working to expand the money made available for small businesses. Other questions on access to tests came up. People don’t know what to do if they think they are sick but have no way to confirm. We’re working around the clock to solve these problems.

Wayne County and the city of Southgate announced that the city’s first drive-thru test site will open today. The site will serve people who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, and all health care providers and first responders whether or not they are experiencing symptoms. Testing will require an appointment through Quest’s MyQuestTM online portal and app, www.MyQuestCOVIDTest.com, which will screen and schedule appointments for those individuals that meet CDC eligibility for the testing sites. From there the individual test results are expected within an average of two days, The more we test, the more we learn about the virus and the spread. Now is not the time to slow down on testing.

People are starting to receive their stimulus checks, starting with people who used direct deposit for their 2018 or 2019 tax returns. Please visit www.IRS.gov and go to the “get your payment” section of the website. Once there you will be able to identify yourself with your 2018 or 2019 tax information, provide your direct deposit information, and within several days you should have the money deposited into your account. If you DO NOT normally file a tax return or your income is too little to file, you must visit www.IRS.gov, and look for “Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here.” You will then be prompted to fill out the requested and relevant information.

On April 18 from 12-4pm, Dearborn firefighters will host a PPE donation drive-thru. It will take place at 19800 W Outer Dr, Dearborn, MI. Items they would like donated are gloves (nitrile preferred), surgical and non-surgical masks, homemade face masks (washed), isolation gowns, face shields (3D accepted), sanitizer, lysol spray, lysol wipes, heavy duty duct tape, 3- or 4- mil visqueen plastic rolls. These donations will go to area hospitals, frontline workers, and first responders.

My staff and I are here every day, seven days a week to help you. I have a great team and everyone is part of problem solving, answering questions and Team Dingell just wants to help. Call our office at 313-278-2936 or contact us through Facebook or our webpage.
 
New information becomes available every day. Below is a list of resources and information that can be helpful during this time. Please share this information with your family, friends, and colleagues. Remember, stay home, stay safe, save lives.

Coronavirus information

File for unemployment

Small Businesses can apply for low-interest disaster loans

Navigating Social Security Benefits
 
School Based Food Service Interactive Map
 
Food Banks and Kitchens in Michigan's 12th Congressional District
 
Contact numbers for people looking for information are:
• Centers for Disease Control, cdc.gov/coronavirus, 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
• Michigan.gov/coronavirus, or 888-535-6136.