Debbie's Blog
Dingell Update: September 17, 2020
Washington,
September 17, 2020
Here is an update for September 17th.
Thought of the day: “You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” — Dr. Seuss Michigan added 571 cases and 11 deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday. Of the deaths, five were identified during a delayed records review. This brings the state's total number of cases to 113,183 and the death toll to 6,612. The state also recorded five new outbreaks in K-12 schools as of Sept. 10. Data shows that seven new outbreaks have come from social gatherings and nine from colleges and universities in the state. We say it every day, but wear your mask and be smart. Even the CDC Director said that wearing a mask is more effective than a vaccine. Be smart. Last week, more than 170,000 people in Michigan filed for unemployment. The unemployment rate of August remains the same as in July — 8.7% which is higher than the national rate of 8.4%. If you or anyone you know needs help with unemployment, please know there’s now an extra $300 a week in enhanced Federal unemployment benefits. Congress is working to cut a deal that will enhance the Federal unemployment benefits beyond $300 per week. We need a plan to get the American people the help they need. If you or anyone you needs to apply for unemployment, please visit: www.michigan.gov/leo/ Now it is time for me to get excited about Go Blue in October and November. The Big Ten announced yesterday that all 14 teams will play football and are expected to start games the weekend of Oct. 24. The league said the decision to resume play, with a shortened season, was unanimous among the league's presidents and chancellors. This is good. Now the question is how to do it safely and how will the stadiums be managed. In order to cheer our Wolverines to a Big Ten Championship this year, we need to keep spread down by wearing masks, keeping distance, and being smart. Yesterday at a Senate hearing, Dr. Robert Redfield, the CDC director, made an emotional plea to Americans that we all must listen to. He said: “I will continue to appeal for all Americans, all individuals in our country, to embrace these face coverings. ... [I]f we did it for six, eight, 10, 12 weeks, we'd bring this pandemic under control. ... [W]e have clear scientific evidence they work, and they are our best defense. I might even go so far as to say that this face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against COVID than when I take a COVID vaccine.” We can't mix politics with trusting a COVID-19 vaccine. We cannot mix science with politics. We need to listen to the experts, wear our masks, and be smart. 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 Arabic language resources مصادر اللغة العربية • عزل COVID-19 والحجر الصحي • صحيفة وقائع COVID-19 • COVID-19 ما تحتاج إلى معرفته عن • اغسل يديك 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. Click here to be removed from this list. |
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