‘Operation Gridlock’ protest of Gov. Whitmer stay-home order jams Lansing
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) A parade of cars clogged streets around the Michigan Capitol Wednesday, honking horns and sporting handmade signs with slogans like “tyranny worse than the virus” and “honk if you love liberty.” They were joined by at least 200 others who walked around the Capitol grounds on foot — few wearing protective […]
‘Depression-level’ Michigan unemployment tops 1 million from coronavirus
by Paula Gardner (Bridge) Michigan’s wave of unemployment filings are making it tough for economists to predict the extent of decline still headed the state’s way. After another 219,320 state residents moved into the system over the past week, few of the scenarios look hopeful. Charles Ballard, an economist at Michigan State University, looks at […]
Back to work, but not to normal: life in Michigan when coronavirus ebbs
by Kelly House, Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Six weeks into a pandemic battle that has hit Michigan harder than almost any state and forced drastic restrictions on commerce and human movement, we may soon take the first tentative step in a long road back to normalcy. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday she hopes to “have some […]
Michigan small businesses rocked by coronavirus turn to Congress for help
by Paula Gardner (Bridge) The lights are off at Sun and Snow Sports in Plymouth. So is the heat. Orders for summer inventory are canceled. But none of that changes the math for co-owner Rob Parent. With $25,000 per month owed in rent and no sales since Michigan’s March 24 stay-home order, the swim and […]
5HF asking all residents to complete online survey
submitted by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) is administering an online survey in April. They are reaching out to residents ages 18+ in the school districts of Stockbridge, Manchester, Grass Lake, Dexter, and Chelsea. Those who complete the survey and submit contact information will be eligible for a prize valued at […]
Out of yeast? Make your own sourdough starter
Some home bakers have recently found it difficult to purchase yeast. Unlike most baking ingredients, store-bought yeast is one you can get by without by growing your own sourdough starter. All you need is flour, water, a week or two and patience. Notes: It is best to start with stone-ground whole wheat or rye flour […]
Michigan nursing homes, where information on coronavirus goes to die
by Ted Roelofs (Bridge) As deaths from the coronavirus mount in Detroit nursing homes, the city crafted a plan this week to have medical students visit each facility to test for the virus. By its count — almost certainly an undercount —at least 14 of Detroit’s 27 nursing homes had confirmed COVID-19 infections, with 12 reported deaths. […]
On Easter weekend, Detroit churches mourn the COVID-19 dead from afar
by Martina Guzmán (Bridge) DETROIT — The Rev. Charles C. Adams is almost at a loss. The leader of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church begins each day making phone calls, trying to tend to a congregation ravaged by death. In the past month, nine church members have died from the coronavirus. And while doctors and nurses […]
Trump’s coronavirus ‘miracle drug’ has believers. Here’s what you should know.
by Brie Zeltner (Bridge) On the day that Michigan state Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, was tested for the novel coronavirus, she was so sick she thought she might die. Whitsett had been ill for weeks, but up until that day, March 31, she’d been coping at home with a headache, cold-like symptoms and frequent sweats. […]
When Michigan unemployment, stimulus checks, and $600 CARES money will arrive
by Paula Gardner (Bridge) As Michigan logs its third straight week of record jobless claims, the surge coincides with new state and federal safety nets, offering hope for some replacement of evaporating paychecks. More than 800,000 Michigan residents had filed initial unemployment claims since March 21, just days before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered non-essential businesses to close. […]
