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Here is an update for April 21, 2020.

Thought of the day: "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." — Marie Curie

Michigan and CVS have come together in a partnership to provide drive-through rapid COVID-19 testing in Dearborn. We worked very hard to make this happen. Testing will be conducted in the parking lot of the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, at no cost to eligible Michiganders. A doctor’s referral is not required. The site will test 750 residents daily who are experiencing certain COVID-19-related symptoms and risk factors as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drive-through testing is available by appointment seven days a week. Residents are required to pre-screen and register for a test at cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.

Our hearts go out to the family of Skylar Herbert, a five year old who died this weekend, had the biggest smile and her father a Detroit firefighter, her mom, a Detroit police officer and as Mayor Duggan said a “real daughter of Detroit.” And a reminder how real this fight is. 

Food banks and pantries are facing many challenges as well. They are facing unprecedented demand. The pandemic has led to swift and widespread job losses in the state, leaving some people in a position where they are struggling to afford food for the first time. Meanwhile, people who had relied on food assistance before the pandemic are seeing limited resources stretched. Tonight at 8:00pm, channel 4 will host a special on the heroes, the acts of kindness and our communities of hope. I plan on watching it. It’s easy some days to focus on the challenges, feel scared, anxious, worry, tense, just plain depressed. Hope and faith, compassion, kindness and humor are so critical and I suspect this is just the medicine many of us need.

Beaumont made a difficult announcement in demonstrating the difficult times hospitals are having and the impact on many employees who have worked very hard, loyally and now are being laid off because of this virus. They are laying off 2,475 employees — many who they hope to bring back when out of this crisis, but 450 people will permanently lose their jobs. They told us they are still reopening Wayne Beaumont shortly and will keep us informed which is good news for our communities and hard to hear when you look at the lives being impacted today. The layoffs are across the system, but most of these will be at headquarters and Royal Oak. John Fox, the CEO is taking a 70% pay cut, other executives up to 45%. This is just another difficult day and we have to help the people impacted. This virus has many victims.

House Democrats are continuing to work on a relief package that will help small businesses, workers, and hospitals. The focus will be on small businesses and doing all we can to keep our communities strong. We can’t have another instance of a company like Shake Shack receiving a $10 million stimulus loan by accident. We will keep advocating for the people of Michigan and won’t stop working to help those that need our assistance.

The IRS has begun to send out stimulus money via direct deposit to Americans required under the coronavirus relief package. If you have not received the direct deposit, 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 will 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.

My weekly telephone town hall will be this Wednesday at 5:30pm. It is important to be available to you and why I do a weekly town hall. Joining me will be Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom from Henry Ford Health System. It is more important than ever for us to communicate. We want to reach everyone that is interested so please let us know if you want to participate by signing up here. This will ensure you receive a call to join.

Team Dingell is here seven days a week and wants to listen and help. It isn’t as smooth as we want on some issues, but we will never stop fighting for you. 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.