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Note from Erika Recently, we have seen a spike in COVID-19 cases in our communities and throughout Michigan from the Omicron BA.5 variant. This variant spreads quickly and can even infect those who have recently contracted COVID or have “natural immunity”. Please be considerate of others and continue (or restart) to wear your mask and wash your hands. Also, get vaccinated and boosted if you have not done so already. It is not too late! Please see below for more information on how to get a vaccine or booster. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our office by email at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at 517-373-7800. |
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Erika Geiss
In This Edition
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a nonpartisan, historic education budget which consists of $19.6 billion in funding. This budget invests in students, teachers, and schools across Michigan. A few of the highlights include teacher recruitment and student mental health. I was proud to vote in favor of this budget and all that comes with it. If you would like to read more about the budget and what is included please click here.
COVID VACCINE UPDATE Children aged six months and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and parents/guardians can begin making appointments today. For children aged six months to five years, the Pfizer-BioNTech is delivered in a series of three doses, whereas the Moderna vaccine is delivered in a series of two doses. More information on COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites is available on the Wayne County website*. The following people meet the criteria for eligibility for a second booster of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines:
You received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for both your primary dose and booster. Children aged 5-11 are eligible for a single booster if they received their second Pfizer-BioNtech vaccination shot at least five months ago. If you have not already received your primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or booster, now is the time to do so. Information on vaccines, vaccine boosters, and testing locations are available on the Wayne County website. With both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services revising guidelines for masking, getting vaccinated and boosted now is more critical than ever to help protect ourselves and our communities — especially for those among us who are immunocompromised or otherwise cannot take the vaccine. *The Wayne County Health Department handles the 42 Wayne County communities outside of Detroit, which has its own separate health department.
NATIONAL MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness month, and this recognizes the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minorities face. Below are some resources that everyone can take advantage of for mental health services, including the new national mental health lifeline that just launched. You can now dial 988, similar to 911, to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. This service is available 24 hours a day and can be reached via call or text.
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UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE Senate Bill 445, signed into law by Governor Whitmer, now turns off the “able and available” requirement for federal unemployment claims filed during the pandemic. Part-time workers who could not work full-time will not have to pay back the benefits they received and/or may be eligible to claim benefits they were denied. To know if your claim was affected by this “able and available” requirement, your Notice of Determination, or Notice of Redetermination will list the “Issue” as either “Ability” or “Availability.” It will look like the one below: |
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If your claim was denied, you had your benefits halted, or your eligibility was re-determined because of the “able and available” requirement, please fill out the issue form on our website and our office will assist you. As always, if you or someone you know who lives in Senate District 6 is having trouble receiving their Unemployment Insurance (UI) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), please fill out this unemployment assistance form and our office will reach out to assist you with your issue as soon as possible. You can also visit the Michigan LEO (Labor and Economic Opportunity) FAQs page for answers to questions you may have regarding eligibility for unemployment or for issues you may have with your current claim.
COVID EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE The Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is still open for applications at Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) | Economic Development if you have not already applied for CERA and need rental assistance. Please be aware that you cannot receive assistance from both CERA and Wayne County’s program for the same time period. In some circumstances, applications for the Michigan COVID Emergency Rental Service (CERA) program are still being accepted for tenants with an active eviction case. To read more or check your application status please click here.
SUMMER OUTDOOR SAFETY On hotter days, like the ones we have been experiencing, there are higher levels of ground ozone. Typically, the ozone is a protective layer between us and the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. However, ground ozone is formed when gasses from vehicles, power plants, and factories combine with heat. Ground ozone can have negative impacts such as poor air quality, breathing problems, and an increased risk for sensitive groups. Please note that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) calls for Clean Air Action Days periodically when ground ozone levels are high. On those days, we are encouraged to change our activities to minimize exposure. To learn more about risk factors and prevention please visit the MDHHS website here.
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COMMUNITY UPDATE Southbound I-275 ramps to eastbound and westbound I-94 will be closed until early August. The goal of the closure is to rebuild areas of southbound I-275 and improve drainage and surface coating. While these updates are a needed investment in our infrastructure that will last years to come, this construction will cause heavier traffic than normal. I recommend you plan in advance for potential delays in your travel. I know seeing all the orange barrels can be frustrating, but it’s a sign of fixing the damn roads. For more about the various projects and closures visit the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) website. |
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As an elected representative, I believe in being readily available and transparent because my office is your office. To be removed from list, please respond to email.
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