Senate District 13 – COVID Updates

Dec 21, 2020 | Newsletter

THE LATEST COVID-19 UPDATES 

MDHHS REVISES GATHERINGS AND FACE MASK ORDER 

On Friday, Dec. 18, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated its epidemic order to allow the reopening of some indoor activities where Michiganders can remain masked, as mask-wearing has been scientifically shown to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Indoor activities that may reopen are as follows:

  • In-person learning at high schools.
  • College and universities can have students return to campus for the winter semester but are asked to make a voluntary commitment to not start classes until Jan. 18.
  • Entertainment venues — casinos, bowling centers and movie theatres — are restricted to a total capacity capped at 100, and their food and drink concessions must remain closed. Social distancing requirements must also remain in place. Patrons’ names and contact information do not need to be collected.
  • Residential gatherings are limited to 10 people and two households, however, MDHHS urges families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick only one other household to interact with, consistent with guidance already released by the department.
  • Individual exercise at gyms, with strict safety measures in place, and outdoor group fitness and outdoor non-contact sports — including running, downhill and cross-country skiing.
  • Individualized services such as retail shopping, riding public transit, and getting a haircut by appointment remain open, but masks must be worn, and social distancing guidelines adhered to.

Activities that remain closed include:

  • Indoor restaurant dining — although restaurants can continue to offer outdoor dining, carry-out, and delivery.
  • Indoor office work (if the work can be done remotely).
  • Certain entertainment venues — night clubs, water parks, and trampoline parks.
  • Indoor group sports and contact sports (professional sports excluded) and indoor group fitness classes.

This order is effective today, Monday, Dec. 21, and will last until Friday, Jan. 15.

Families are encouraged to stay home this holiday season to maintain the positive momentum that has developed and to protect loved ones, and are encouraged to Mask Up, Mask Right, using new guidance for what masks to wear and how to wear them.

More information can be found online at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

MICHIGAN COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN

There’s been some great news recently on vaccines! Michigan began the first phase of distributing COVID-19 vaccines following FDA authorization and approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

On Friday, Dec. 11, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced a vaccine distribution plan following recommendations set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and established a goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders by the end of 2021. Health officials estimate that by late Spring, enough COVID-19 doses will be available for everyone who is recommended to receive it.

Distribution of the vaccine will be in a phased approach* — with an emphasis on both ensuring the continued functioning of the health care system and essential services in the community and protecting people at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness — as follows:

  • Phase 1A includes paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home, as well as residents of long-term care facilities.
  • Phase 1B includes some workers in essential and critical industries, including workers with unique skill sets such as non-hospital or non-public health laboratories and mortuary services.
  • Phase 1C includes individuals age 16 years or older who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying medical conditions, and people 65 years and older.
  • Phase 2 is a mass vaccination campaign for all individuals aged 16 years or older.

*These prioritizations may change as more information on vaccine effectiveness and additional vaccination products become available.

The COVID-19 vaccine will require two doses, separated by three or four weeks depending on the manufacturer. There will be no out-of-pocket costs, however, health care providers may bill insurance for administrative costs. People should receive both doses in order to have full protection from the virus. Symptoms of mild side effects may include a low-grade fever, sore arm, and fatigue, which indicate that the vaccine is working.

Michiganders should continue to wear masks, social distance from those not in their household, and wash their hands often, even after receiving the vaccine.

A variety of partners will be engaged in the distribution and administration process, including hospitals, pharmacies, local health departments, EMS providers and outpatient clinics. The Michigan National Guard is also supporting vaccination efforts in some settings.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine, where there’s a useful FAQs section. Some highlights from this are:

Is there a cost to get vaccinated?

No fees will be charged to get vaccinated. There will be no cost sharing from insurance plans. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost.

Will more than one dose of COVID-19 vaccine be required?

Yes. The current vaccines need two shots to be effective. It is very important that you get both doses within the required timeframe to ensure the best protection from COVID-19.

Will people who have already had COVID-19 be able to get vaccinated?

Yes. People who have had COVID-19 can still get a vaccine. CDC recommends getting it after you have recovered. You should check with your health care provider if you have questions.

At the county level, Oakland County has also been working hard to distribute information and educational tools to better understand the COVID-19 vaccines.

Recently, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter recently held a tele-town hall with information on the coronavirus and vaccinations.

  • You can listen to it here.

The county has also provided a Q & A section on their page. Some of the questions include:

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

Yes. The mRNA vaccines are especially safe. Among the tens of thousands of people enrolled in the Phase III mRNA-Vaccine Clinical Trials, none have experienced severe adverse reactions. This is unheard of for vaccine clinical trials.

Vaccines are traditionally developed from one of several methods: (1) “live-attenuated” virus, made from virus that has been altered to decrease its virulence (harmful, infectious potential); (2) killed virus; or (3) purified portions of virus, such as surface proteins. The mRNA vaccine contains none of those components, only the “message” used for our cells to produce a single protein to stimulate our immune system. These mRNA vaccines are the safest in vaccine history to date.

Can the COVID-19 vaccine help me even if I’ve already been infected with COVID-19?

Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, people may be advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they had COVID-19 before.

At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity to COVID-19 may not last very long. Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are trying to learn more about, and the CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.

Additional resources and information on the COVID-19 vaccines:

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed our lives as our state, nation, and world all face an unprecedented public health and economic crisis. We know this has been a trying time for everyone. We’ve compiled a thorough list of links, information, and resources for you as you navigate this time.

If you do not find the information you’re looking for, or need assistance, please contact our office at SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov or 517-373-2523.

  • For the most updated information regarding COVID-19 in Michigan, including a tool to find a testing site near you, Michigan’s Safe Start Reopening Plan, FAQs and more, please visit: Michigan.gov/Coronavirus
  • For workplace safety guidance, including preparedness response plans, reopening checklists, resources for employers and employees, free printable informational posters and more, visit: Michigan.gov/LEO

While we can finally enjoy many of the activities that have been limited over the past few months, it is essential that we continue to do our part to keep this virus under control:

  • Stay home whenever possible (limit trips, avoid group gatherings, and work from home, if possible).
  • Practice mindful safety measures, including social distancing (maintain a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and others), washing your hands frequently, and wearing a mask when in public places.

COVID-19 is still out there. Following these CDC best practices will help ensure we keep the virus at bay so that we can continue to safely reopen.

MICHIGAN UNEMPLOYMENT AGENCY: HOW MY OFFICE CAN HELP

If you or someone you know is experiencing issues with your unemployment account, our office can help by sending in a contact form to the Unemployment Insurance Agency as a way of advocating for someone from their department to reach out to you.

If you are not a constituent of the 13th Senate District, your state senator can also fill out the same form on your behalf. To find your appropriate state senator, click here: https://senate.michigan.gov/fysbyaddress.htm.

When contacting our office, please include the following information: 

  • First and Last Name
  • Home Address
  • Phone Number
  • Claim number (if possible)
  • Brief summary of the issues you are running into 

You can send us your information by using our online Unemployment Assistance Form, send us an email at SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov, or give us a call at (517) 373-2523.

*Please do not send us sensitive information like your SSN. This information is not needed.*

It is important that you answer our call. We will be calling from a 248 or 517 area code. We have tried to follow up on numerous cases and are unable to leave a message due to full mailboxes or mailboxes that are not set up.

Additionally, if you are waiting on a call from the Unemployment Insurance Agency, please answer your phone. They will likely be calling from a 517 or 866 area code. We have received a lot of follow-up notices from the UIA that cases we have sent to them remain unresolved because individuals are not answering their phones. With the large influx of cases the UIA has received, we want to make sure you are able to get the help you need.

HEALTH CARE QUESTIONS

If you are feeling symptoms that match COVID-19 and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19, please do the following:

  • Do NOT physically go to a doctor’s office or hospital as the first step. Stay home and call your primary care physician FIRST.
  • If you do not have a primary care physician or they are not available, call the Oakland County Nurse On Call hotline at (800) 848-5533.
  • Follow the instructions provided by either your primary physician or the Nurse On Call.

Beaumont Health Coronavirus Portal has the latest information, hospital hotline, needed supply donation list, online risk assessment tool, and more, and is frequently updated.

FOR BUSINESSES/BUSINESS OWNERS

FOR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES

  • Michigan Municipal League (MML) has comprehensive resources and FAQs, as well as online webinars for municipal officials and local elected leaders.
    PLEASE NOTE: If you represent a local municipality, the Governor’s office has requested that you filter all your questions through MML.

FOR WORKERS

If you are an employee concerned about compliance of executive orders by your employer, please call the Oakland County Sheriff at (248) 858-4911 or Oakland County’s hotline (248) 858-1000, where they can provide information to the Sheriff.

FOR EDUCATORS/SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE

Thank you for all your hard work and sacrifice. It hasn’t been easy. We know this is a trying time but, together, we’ll get through this.

Stay safe