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Friends, I hope you are all staying warm as January continues to bring snowy weather and cold temperatures. With more people spending time indoors this winter, please remember to prioritize your health by staying up to date on your vaccines, wearing a mask in public spaces, and staying as socially distant as possible. In this newsletter is a reminder of the upcoming Financial Literacy Town Hall, an e-invite to the State of the State address, how to order free COVID-19 tests that will be mailed directly to your home, a KN95 mask giveaway program, information on AG Nessel’s Elder Abuse Task Force and a warning that fake at-home COVID-19 tests have been circulating online, along with information about available January food assistance benefits. As always, if I can be of any assistance to you or your family, please call my office at (517) 373-2417, or email me at SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov. Be well, |
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Financial Literacy Town Hall Join us for a town hall, hosted by Rep. Kyra Bolden, to discuss credit, lending, savings, homebuying, wills, trusts and estates. Other guests joining me for the conversation include Sen. Jeremy Moss, representatives from People Driven Credit Union, and attorney Macie Gaines. |
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WHEN: Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, from 5 to 6 p.m. Via Zoom: The Town Hall will feature both audio and video presentations, which will all be held on Zoom. We kindly request that you enter the zoom webinar at least 5-10 minutes before the start of the program. The host of the meeting will give you access to the waiting room before the meeting starts. The audience will be muted by default, but given the ability to unmute, as will the panelists. Once you have spoken, you will be muted. You may exit the event, but you are welcome to stay and ask any questions. Meeting Link
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2022 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her annual State of the State address this year virtually on Wednesday, Jan. 26th. The event will be broadcast live throughout the state and this year’s theme will be “I Believe in Michigan.” Details about what time and where to watch will be released in the coming week. I’m looking forward to hearing what the governor has to say and will be tuning in, and I hope you will too. I am also interested in hearing what you think about her address and encourage you to email me or call my office with your ideas. In the meantime, here’s why I believe in Michigan: |
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ORDER YOUR FREE, AT-HOME, RAPID COVID-19 TESTS Testing is one of the best tools we have to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Public health experts and the CDC recommend that you take an at-home test if you begin to have symptoms, if it’s been at least five days after being in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and before you plan on traveling or attending a large gathering. Thanks to the Biden Administration wanting to ensure that everyone has the tools they need to stay safe during the ongoing pandemic, at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests are now available for free at COVIDTests.gov, with every household eligible for four free tests that will be shipped directly to Michiganders’ homes. Tests will usually ship within 7-12 days of ordering and arrive in the mail. Here’s what you need to know about your order:
For more information on how the Biden Administration plans to ensure that this program results in fair distribution and its plans for future distributions, read the full briefing here.
WHITE HOUSE TO GIVE AWAY 400 MILLION N95 MASKS STARTING NEXT WEEK The Biden Administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings. The masks will come from the government’s Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million highly protective masks on hand. They will be available for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers across the country and will begin shipping this week for distribution starting late next week. This will be the largest distribution of free masks by the federal government to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
AG NESSEL’S ELDER ABUSE TASK FORCE RELEASES JAN. 2022 NEWSLETTER On Wednesday, Jan. 12, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released the Elder Abuse Task Force’s latest newsletter, which highlights the important work that continues to protect our elderly. The three-page update is now available on the Department of Attorney General’s website. The latest newsletter also provides an update on a bipartisan package of bills introduced in June. The legislation would implement fundamental reforms impacting guardians and conservators-individuals appointed by probate courts to act in the best interests of vulnerable individuals. It is now up to the legislature to move the bills forward. Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sections — all working together to combat elder abuse. Those interested in updates are welcome to subscribe to receive the newsletter.
BEWARE OF FAKE AT-HOME COVID TESTS BEING SOLD ONLINE Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is amplifying new warnings related to reports of fake at-home COVID-19 tests being sold online. Both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently released warnings related to fraudulent tests, so Nessel is reissuing her Websites Selling COVID-Related Products That Are Fake or Never Arrive Consumer Alert to highlight important reminders for consumers. Remember the following tips from the FTC if you’re shopping online for COVID test kits and related items:
Your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General’s website, or if you have questions call 877-765-8388.
ADDITIONAL JANUARY EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE BENEFITS All Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits are receiving an additional monthly payment in January in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced. Approximately 1.28 million Michiganders in close to 700,000 households will receive additional food assistance benefits. Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card from Jan. 15-24. These benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month. Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to Michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a con Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1. |
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