Here is an update for November 24.
Thought of the day: “Sometimes miracles are just good people with kind hearts.”
Michigan COVID-19 cases remain high and we all need to remain concerned about the direction these numbers continue to go. With the holidays quickly approaching, it is so important for all of us to be responsible and follow Michigan’s COVID-19 guidelines. Michigan health care systems are stretched to the limit, with many hospitals reaching capacity for beds in intensive care units and increases in patients on ventilators.
Deaths in Michigan have reached 8,543. Those are friends and family members that won’t be here to celebrate Thanksgiving ever again. If we don’t listen to the experts, those numbers will keep going up and many more won’t be here to celebrate future holidays. No region of Michigan has been spared from the devastating impacts of COVID. This is the reality here in Michigan, and it is going to take all of us uniting around the science to save lives.
This virus demands all of us to rethink how we celebrate holidays, birthday, weddings, etc. this year. For my birthday yesterday, I stayed home and Zoomed with friends, colleagues, and loved ones. On Thursday, I will again be home and yes, alone, visiting with friends and family by Zoom. We all need to make these decisions so we can protect one another and crush COVID.
We continue to hear promising news on the vaccine front, with three vaccine manufacturers reporting at least 90% effectiveness of their COVID-19 trials. It is increasingly likely that we will have a vaccine ready to distribute by the end of the year. But this news does not mean we should all relax and disregard COVID guidelines. Health experts agree that any vaccine, once approved for use, will not be widely available to the public until spring 2021.
Over the past weeks, our democracy has been challenged numerous times, but yesterday, we saw democracy prevail in Michigan. It is now time for us to unite and move forward together as a country to protect and strengthen our Republic.
On Monday, the Trump Administration formally recognized President-Elect Biden’s win in the 2020 Presidential Election. General Services Administrator Emily Murphy officially “ascertained” the results of the election in favor of President-Elect Joe Biden. This critical step will set in motion the peaceful transfer of powers, providing the President-Elect with access to the resources his team needs to hit the ground running on January 20, 2021 when the Biden-Harris Administration is sworn-in.
Be safe Michigan, COVID is a real and present danger for all of us. We must protect our friends and families by masking up, physically distancing, and washing our hands.
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.
P.S. Michigan is offering FREE COVID-19 testing at various testing sites throughout the state. To find FREE testing location near you, visit the link below and select the “No Cost” checkbox and enter your zip code: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-99891_99912-531745--,00.html?fbclid=IwAR1AjAxo5t9bOKCoXuO_1ws366wP8CghyuEdWlURqpxO5NM1aeTYxtojL_g
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.
