What Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home executive order means to Michigan
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) Prepare to stay at home until at least May 15. But while you do it, you can now buy gardening supplies, fire up the motorboat, or play a few rounds of golf. These are among the new freedoms allowed under an extended stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday. […]
Coronavirus guts Michigan college budgets. And it’s going to get worse
by Ron French (Bridge) Michigan’s colleges and universities are in “dire” financial straits because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the possibility that some may not survive. Schools have lost hundreds of millions of dollars so far, with the hemorrhaging expected to continue this summer and into the fall. The scale of the budget blows is […]
Rural Michigan hospitals gutted by coronavirus, even those without cases
by Ted Roelofs (Bridge) Just like many urban hospitals in Michigan, the bottom line at Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie has been slammed by COVID-19. With a statewide hold on “non-essential” procedures by a March 10 executive order of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, revenues plunged by $4 million in a month at […]
Coronavirus empties pediatrician offices in Michigan, decreases vaccinations
by Robin Erb (Bridge) The bright and colorful lobby at Children’s Hospital of Michigan — usually packed with youngsters playing on a giant interactive video screen with virtual fireworks and popping balloons — remains quiet these days. The hallways of the Detroit hospital are emptier too. Most of Dr. Kevin Dazy’s young patients now come […]
Michigan Legislature won’t extend Whitmer’s stay-home order, Shirkey says
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Michigan Republican leaders are challenging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to loosen stay-home restrictions, saying it’s unlikely her executive authority will last past April 30. House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, sent a scathing letter to Whitmer on Saturday, saying her restrictions on travel have made Michigan a “national outlier” for toughness and called on her to make […]
‘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 […]
Southeast Michigan may be past coronavirus peak, but cases grow elsewhere in the state
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) On Saturday, Michigan recorded 768 confirmed coronavirus cases, further indication that the state’s curve is flattening from a peak that two weeks ago saw 1,600 sickened every day. But much of the decline is in metro Detroit, while other parts of the state are just now hitting their peaks, an analysis […]
‘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 […]
Stay home, don’t stay safe. Domestic violence calls up amid Michigan lockdown
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) If you are a victim of domestic abuse, get help by calling the national domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat online here with the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. You can also find local domestic violence aid services in your county. Weeks stuck at home can be […]
Seniors dying from coronavirus. Michigan still won’t name nursing homes
by Ted Roelofs (Bridge) More than 2,200 coronavirus deaths have now been recorded in Michigan, and one recent trend has been stark: the rising age of people dying from the virus. On April 1, the median age of Michigan COVID-19 deaths was 72. By Thursday, that number had risen to 75. In the past week, […]
