Dear Friend, The Michigan Senate’s 2022 legislative year is underway. We have much important work ahead of us, including the appropriation of billions of remaining federal relief dollars to continue restoring Michigan’s economy, keep fixing our roads and bridges, strengthen public health services to combat COVID-19, improve our schools, expand affordable childcare, and support Michigan’s frontline workers. I am also looking forward to Governor Whitmer’s State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 26th, and hope you will join me in tuning in. Please read on for some more important information, including a recap of some recent happenings around the district. Sincerely, |
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 soon. 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: |
ORDER YOUR FREE, AT-HOME, RAPID COVID-19 TESTS Testing is one of the best tools we have in helping to 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:
The Biden Administration and USPS is working to rectify the challenges some residents have seen with ordering tests due to address errors. If someone is experiencing any issues with ordering a test through the USPS portal, you can complete a USPS inquiry detailing the issue, which will get you more help. If you do not have internet access or a computer to order the four free COVID tests from the federal government, please use these toll-free numbers: 1-800-232-0233 or TTY 1-88-720-7489. 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 400 MILLION N95 MASKS AWAY STARTING THIS WEEK The Biden Administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting this 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. This will be the largest distribution of free masks by the federal government to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic began. |
As an elected representative, I believe in being readily available and transparent because my office is your office. |