Protect Michigan Commission Weekly Newsletter
February 23, 2021
This week is a busy week for Michigan's COVID-19 vaccination outreach. Below are opportunities to participate in community discussions, the next Protect Michigan Commission general meeting, town hall, and workgroups.
As the work of the PMC ramps up, these discussions are an essential next step for addressing the questions you're hearing within the community related to vaccine safety, distribution, and more.
Virtual town hall about COVID-19 vaccine in communities of color
Recognizing that Michigan residents have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, the State of Michigan is hosting the next in a series of community town halls, live-streamed at Facebook.com/MichiganHHS. The next event is this Thursday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. and will address questions within communities of color.
Moderated by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, speakers include:
- Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- N. Charles Anderson, Urban League of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan
- Reverend Wendell Anthony, Detroit NAACP
- Dr. Lynn Smitherman, MD, Wayne Pediatrics
- Eva A. Garza Dewaelsche, SER Metro-Detroit, Jobs for Progress, Inc.
- Dr. Zafer I. Obeid, M.D., Arab American & Chaldean Council
- Dr. Terry Samuels, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
The goal of the town hall series is to address the safety and efficacy of the vaccine by answering questions within vulnerable communities that have been disproportionately impacted, including communities of color.
From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, persons of color have faced devastating and disproportionate harm, both nationally and here in Michigan. The cumulative COVID-19 case rate in Black and African American populations has been over 40% higher than the rate in white populations. In addition, the cumulative COVID-19 death rate in Black and African American populations has been over three times the rate in white populations.
According to research, 66% of Michiganders are likely or very likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine and 34% would like to get it as soon as possible. However, there are disparities when it comes to who is likely to get the vaccine with 47% of white Michiganders very likely to get the vaccine versus 25% of Black Michiganders.
Ahead of the discussion, attendees are encouraged to submit their questions for the town hall about the COVID-19 vaccine. Any questions that cannot be answered during the town halls due to time constraints, will be reviewed and added to the State of Michigan COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions. In the following months, Michigan will also host additional town halls in partnership with public health and community leaders.
Commission Meeting Feb. 26
Protect Michigan Commission appointees will meet virtually this Friday, Feb. 26. The members will discuss the progress of the constituency workgroups during the Commission’s second meeting this year. The recorded video will be available on PMC’s webpage following the meeting.
It’s not too late to join a workgroup. Email ProtectMICommission@michigan.gov to join.
Scheduled workgroup meetings this week:
- LGBTQ Workgroup - Feb. 24 @ 1 p.m.
- Rural Workgroup - Feb. 25 @ 9 a.m.
- Colleges and Universities Workgroup - Feb. 26 @ 2 p.m.
Vaccine Update
On March 1, Michiganders working in the food and agriculture sector are eligible for vaccination. This group includes food processing workers, especially workers at meat processing and meatpacking facilities; workers who process fruit and vegetables; dairy processing; animal feed manufacturing; food and animal feed ingredient manufacturing; beverage production; and the production of food packaging.
Farmers and farm workers, including migrant and seasonal workers, involved in raising, cultivating, harvesting, packing, storing, and distributing agricultural commodities, and who are by the nature of their work in close proximity and contact with other people.
How to schedule an appointment
-
Check the website of your local health department or hospital for sign-ups or registration forms.
-
Call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 2-1-1. Multiple languages available.
-
Check additional vaccination sites, such as local pharmacies like Meijer, Rite Aid and Cardinal Health (U.P. residents).
Please pass on this information on to anyone you know who might be eligible but doesn’t have access to online resources.
|
