Whitmer: Michigan school reopening threatened by rising coronavirus cases
by Ron French, Riley Beggin (Bridge) Nine days after releasing a school reopening plan that would allow Michigan students to return to classrooms in the fall, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tapped the brakes Thursday, saying that if a recent increase in coronavirus cases continues, students might have to stay home. “We want to be in a position where we […]
Whitmer orders Michigan stores to refuse entry to those not wearing masks
by Ron French, Paula Gardner (Bridge) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Michigan businesses to refuse entry to customers not wearing face masks, in an executive order issued Friday. The order, which goes into effect immediately for indivuals and Monday for businesses, also requires Michigan residents to wear face masks outdoors if they cannot maintain six feet of distance […]
Federal judge dismisses GOP case against Michigan redistricting commission
By Riley Beggin A federal judge Monday dismissed a lawsuit by Michigan Republican groups seeking to block a new state redistricting commission. The ruling is the latest legal setback for Republicans, who earlier this year failed to win an injunction that would prevent the formation of the commission, which they contend is unconstitutional. The July 6 […]
Large jump in Michigan deaths outside hospitals as coronavirus raged
by Robin Erb (Bridge) Deaths recorded by emergency personnel outside Michigan hospitals jumped 62 percent this spring as the coronavirus first raged through the state, according to the state health department. The stark increase lends support to the notion that residents, including many with cardiac issues, decided to ride out chest pains or other serious […]
Michigan study: Hydroxychloroquine saved lives among coronavirus patients
by Robin Erb (Bridge) Early treatment with hydroxychloroquine cut the death rate significantly in certain sick patients hospitalized with COVID-19 — and without heart-related side-effects, according to a new study published by Henry Ford Health System. The study, published Thursday in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, is another curve in the continued research — […]
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer closes most bars as coronavirus cases spike
by Riley Beggin, Paula Gardner (Bridge) Indoor service at bars in most of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula must close starting at 11 p.m. last Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced just hours before the deadline. Whitmer’s latest emergency order comes as the rate of new coronavirus cases increases across the state, significantly spiking in areas like Lansing, […]
Trinity Health Michigan lays off, furloughs another 1,000 employees
by Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press (Bridge) A second wave of job cuts and layoffs have hit a Michigan health care system as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the economy. Layoffs and schedule reductions for 1,000 full-time workers or their equivalents will begin this week and continue through the end of July at Trinity […]
Michigan hospitals hardest hit by coronavirus get $850M, say they need more
Seven large Michigan health systems hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak have received more than $850 million in federal funds, according to federal data. The funds are meant to patch budget holes suffered by providers in “high-impact” areas. But hospitals — some of which have laid off thousands of workers in recent months — maintain […]
As coronavirus cases rise, Whitmer halts plans to further reopen Michigan
by Jonathan Oosting, Robin Erb, Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) With coronavirus cases upticking in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has abandoned plans to allow additional business reopenings by July 4 and said she is contemplating a “more conservative” approach. The first-term Democrat stopped short of promising to re-tighten rules, as governors in some southern and western states […]
Michigan bars worry as East Lansing bar’s coronavirus tally tops 70 cases
by Paula Gardner (Bridge) Not everyone had fun at Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub in East Lansing when the popular bar near Michigan State University reopened this month. One customer complained on June 18 to the Ingham County Health Department. “Bar patron reported no one wearing a mask and little social distancing,” said Linda Vail, county health officer, […]
