LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Following the announcement of the discovery of two presumptively positive coronavirus, or COVID-19 cases in Southeast Michigan, Governor Whitmer held a press conference Wednesday to provide an update.
The update was meant to provide recommendations into helping slow the spread across the state.
“These recommendations should be considered minimums,” Whitmer said. “We encourage people to consider going further. Ultimately, these recommendations are about slowing the spread of the disease to ensure that medical facilities have adequate staffing and resources for vulnerable populations and those who are sick.”
Whitmer recommends that all citizens with an underlying health condition should avoid unnecessary travel as much as possible, especially when it can increase risk of illness. Whitmer says anyone who is sick should stay home.
Whitmer is also encouraging all businesses to be supportive of sick employees in case of illness.
“It is harder for the single mom who needs to pay rent at the end of the month, or workers in the service industry who rely on tips to put food on their own tables,” Whitmer said. “Businesses must step up to help however they can.”
Overall, Whitmer and her team are recommending the implementation of “Community Mitigation Strategies” in order to help slow infection rates. According to an official statement, these strategies are “designed to be implemented at the individual, organizational, and community levels. They apply to businesses, workplaces, schools, community organizations, health care institutions, and individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and health profiles.”
“Michiganders have been preparing for COVID-19 for weeks, including by taking basic measures such as washing their hands often, covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and staying home when they are sick,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “However, Michigan must take further action to avoid a rapid increase of cases in the state. Community mitigation strategies are crucial to slowing the transmission of the virus in Michigan, particularly before a vaccine or treatment becomes available.”
An official document released from Whitmer’s office recommends citizens practice all of the following recommendations:
- Learn about the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
- STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK, and Individuals at risk of severe illness should consider staying at home to avoid others who are sick.
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, keyboards, cell phones and light switches.
- Communicate and reinforce best practices for washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes.
- Be sure to maintain a supply of medications, food, and other essentials in your house.
- Cancel or postpone large gatherings, conferences and sporting events (e.g. events with over 100 people).
- Reduce in-person gatherings and activities, especially for organizations with individuals at risk of severe illness. Consider offering video or audio of events.
- Consider tele-learning or tele-work opportunities, where feasible.
- Limit non-essential work travel.
- If you care for a loved one living in a care facility, monitor the situation, ask about the health of the other residents frequently, and know the protocol if there is an outbreak.
- Limit visitors at hospitals and other facilities to only those who are absolutely necessary and implement screening of visitors for temperature and respiratory symptoms.
This is a rapidly developing and changing situation. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
Additionally, a full docket of health tips can be viewed online at this link.
