LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — It’s not a matter of if but when Governor Gretchen Whitmer will extend the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order in Michigan.
— Stay Home, Stay Safe Order Most Likely Extended —
On Monday, the governor spoke on WKZO and said that she will have to extend the stay at home order, but they are weighing all the factors to determine how long it will be extended for and also considering any additional measures that might have to be taken.
Later that morning she then held a press briefing with Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, providing the latest updates to the state’s response to COVID-19.
— Lack of PPE —
She started by stressing the importance of the need for more personal protective equipment saying that hospitals on the east side of the state are dangerously low and could run out of masks and other essential equipment in the matter of days. The governor did praise FEMA however, saying that they are currently sending Michigan 300 ventilators, 1.1 million surgical masks, 232,000 face shields, and 2 million gloves.
One million N95 masks will also be sent to the hardest hit areas of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties sometime this week. As of Monday, nearly 80% of positive coronavirus cases in Michigan are in those three counties, but Whitmer adds that this virus doesn’t stop at county or state lines.
— Gov. Whitmer Encourages Handmade Face Masks —
Despite past reports telling Michiganders not to wear face masks, federal health officials are now recommending that they are used when venturing outside to prevent COVID-19 exposure. However, Governor Whitmer stressed that the surgical and N95 masks should be left for those on the front lines and residents leaving their homes for essential trips should only wear hand made face masks or other coverings.
In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States made a YouTube video showing how people can make a face covering with a t-shirt and two rubber bands and there are plenty of no-sew tutorials online.
— Unemployment Concerns —
Unemployment continues to be a major problem in the state and making a claim is even more of a challenge.
During the press briefing, Governor Whitmer said the rate of new claims has outpaced the worst week during the Great Recession and that more people have applied for unemployment in the last two weeks than in all of 2019.
She says they are working hard to get to every Michigander who has applied for unemployment benefits, but it’s a difficult task. More information on the process can be found here.
— Share on Social Media —
The governor is also encouraging residents to share their stories on social media. Whether it’s making a hand made mask, showing how you’re preventing the spread of COVID-19, or some good news happening in the community, Michiganders can post on Twitter with the hashtag #DoingMIPart.
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More information on the state’s response to the coronavirus can be found at michigan.gov/coronavirus.
In addition, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provides an update of confirmed cases and relevant demographic data for COVID-19 every day at 3 p.m.
