Today was the first session meeting and opening day of the 101st Legislature. Typically, this day is one of joy and optimism, symbolic of a blank slate full of hope and possibility for what lays ahead. Unfortunately, the horrific insurrection attempt at our nation’s capital on Jan. 6 and the continued threats against all 50 State Capitols cast a dark cloud on the atmosphere.
I spoke on the floor about what we saw take place at our U.S. Capitol in D.C. last week and the tenuous place our democracy finds itself in. I hope you’ll watch here:
What we saw — and continue to learn — is not normal. If you are feeling overwhelmed about Jan. 6 and the continued COVID-19 pandemic, please know that you are not alone. I know my office has been very candid with speaking about our struggles with how we feel, and how unsettling the connection to the protests that happened in Michigan in April last year are.
>> If you need them, Oakland County Community Health has some mental health resources you may find beneficial.
In This Edition
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Senator McMorrow on Maternity Leave: What Does That Mean?
COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION
Our office has been contacted by a few constituents who have asked for information on how or when they will be getting their COVID-19 vaccine. The best way to find information about availability and distribution is to continue following the Oakland County website, which is updated regularly with information on appointments and doses given of the COVID-19 vaccine.
For statewide distribution information, visit the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine website and look back to an e-newsletter sent out in December in which we detailed the state’s distribution plan.
On Jan. 11, those 65 or older, along with more frontline workers, were able to start receiving their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Michigan Radio put together this handy infographic to help determine when each group can expect the vaccine to become available to them:
>> Learn more about the state’s COVID-19 vaccination prioritization guidance.
SENATOR MCMORROW’S MATERNITY LEAVE: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
In the final weeks of my pregnancy with my first child, our office has been asked a couple of questions related to my maternity leave such as, “Who will replace you?” and “Can you vote when you’re on leave?” or “Will your staff also be on leave?”
To answer these concerns, I recently hosted a virtual coffee hour and gave you a chance to meet the people on Team McMorrow, learn about their roles and what they do, and chatted about what my parental leave means for all of us.
We broke down the functions of our office and put a face to the names you may have interacted with in the past or will in the future.
>> Missed it? You can watch the entire coffee hour here.