Here is an update for November 17th:
Thought of the day: “Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end” – Scott Adams
Michigan is in a state of crisis with COVID numbers continuing to spike throughout the state, sparing no region. Scientists, health experts, doctors, and nurses are raising alarms as our health system’s resources are being stretched thin. So many people want to get back to a sense of normal—they don’t want to wear masks in public anymore, they want to see their friends and family. But the reality is that we are at the worst point of this pandemic yet. So many have lost their lives, but we can save so many more if we just follow the guidelines.
Over the weekend, Michigan reported 12,763 new cases and 55 new deaths from COVID-19, bringing the state’s total case count to 264,576 and deaths to 8,049. This the 5th consecutive week that Michigan has broken its weekly COVID case record. Hospitals throughout Michigan are nearing capacity as COVID hospitalizations drastically increase. It is critical we come together as Michiganders and Americans in this moment. We must be united in our response to this virus, or we will fail.
Republican and Democratic governors across the nation are seeing that this virus is not just going to go away. They need to take bold and aggressive action to fight back against the virus and save lives in their states. So far, Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, California, North Dakota, and Washington have tightened their COVID-19 restrictions after cases and deaths reached a grim milestone. None of our nation’s governors want to close schools and businesses, but the costs of not temporarily doing so are just far too high.
On Sunday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced new steps Michigan will take to control and contain the virus. The new order will:
1. Limit indoor residential gatherings to no more than two households
2. Restrict outdoor gatherings to 25 people
3. Prohibit indoor gatherings at recreational venues
4. Prohibit indoor dining at restaurants and bars
5. Require appointments for personal services, with masks worn at all times
6. Reduce capacity of gyms and other exercise facilities to 25% capacity
7. Reduce capacity of retail stores, libraries, and museums to 30% capacity
8. Move in-person instruction for high schools and colleges to distance learning
9. Prohibit organized sports, except for teams that follow enhanced MDHHS Additional Measures for Safer Athletic Practice and Play guidance
The Michigan Hospital and Health Association (MHA) are applauding Governor Whitmer’s leadership, saying in a statement, “the faster we can squash this surge, the faster we can safely resume our lives and livelihoods. Hospitals are asking all of Michigan to unite against COVID-19.”
Doctors and nurses working tirelessly on the frontlines of this crisis are pleading with the public to take this seriously. They are seeing the death and destruction COVID has caused first-hand every day since this pandemic began. Do it for yourself and others: wear a mask, physically distance, and wash your hands.
Small businesses and restaurants will face challenges on the road ahead. They will need the help and support of our community to survive this COVID world. We need to think of how we can continue to support them through this time, like ordering carry-out or delivery. In Congress, we need all parties to come back to the table and work out a comprehensive plan to bring certainty to the lives of small business owners and their employees. We cannot leave them behind.
We are all tired, frustrated, scared, and stressed, but we must come together to help each other through these times. We need a whole lot of kindness, compassion, and empathy right now. The next few months will be difficult, especially if we do not all commit to following the guidelines, but we will get through this. Vaccines are on the way, but it will take time for them to become widely available, many experts say in the spring. Until then, we must continue to wear a mask, keep our physical distance, and wash our hands! Together, we can crush this virus, keep Americans healthy, and save lives.
P.S. Michigan is offering FREE COVID-19 testing at various testing sites throughout the state. To find FREE testing location near you, visit: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-99891_99912-531745--,00.html
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.
