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Here is an update for October 20th.

Thought of the day: "Dr. Fauci is one of our country’s most distinguished public servants. He has served 6 presidents, starting with Ronald Reagan. If more Americans paid attention to his advice, we’d have fewer cases of COVID-19, & it would be safer to go back to school & back to work & out to eat." - Senator Lamar Alexander

On Monday, Michigan added 2,909 new cases and 21 deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the state’s total case count to 147,806 and deaths to 7,031. With Michigan’s COVID-19 numbers continuing to trend upward, we must listen to the advice of health experts and wear our masks and socially distance.

There are many free COVID testing sites around the state, to find a location near you click here. 

We’re at a critical point in fighting COVID-19. Experts like Dr. Fauci are speaking truth to the American people about the threat of COVID-19 while others try to downplay it. What Americans need in a time of crisis is truth and transparency so they can protect themselves and their families. Drown out the noise and focus on the advice of the experts.

As a number of pharmaceutical companies continue to work on the development of a safe COVID-19 vaccine, it’s important to be realistic about when the vaccine will be widely available and the steps that we can take RIGHT NOW to help curb the spread. CDC Chief Dr. Robert Redfield has said that, as we wait for a safe vaccine, our most powerful tool in containing the spread of COVID-19 is wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing. 

Yesterday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan is investing over $1 million in CARES Act funding to contact more than 1 million Michiganders that may have lost health care coverage since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of a global pandemic, having comprehensive health care coverage can be the difference between life and death. We must make sure that our fellow Michiganders know the no- or low-cost health care coverage that is available to them.

• Open Enrollment is November 1^st to December 15^th for coverage beginning January 2021. Free assistance can be found at localhelp.healthcare.gov.
• Special Enrollment periods may be available to individuals who have experienced a qualified life event. More information on Special Enrollment can be found at healthcare.gov/screener.
• Medicaid & Healthy Michigan Plans are available to eligible individuals at any time. Those that meet the criteria can apply for coverage at Michigan.gov/MIBridges or at 844-587-2485.
• Medicare coverage is available to eligible seniors that have lost employer-sponsored health care coverage during the pandemic. For more information, visit Medicare.gov or contact the Michigan Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program at 1-800-803-7174.

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.

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