UPDATE: Governor Whitmer COVID-19 Daily Update July 2, 2020

Michigan Executive Office of the Governor sent this bulletin at 07/02/2020 06:30 AM EDT

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Below is an update on the 2019 Coronavirus outbreak as of 10:00 PM on 7/1/2020                      

 

UPDATE  

 

  • Yesterday, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 690, which appropriates nearly $880 million in federal funding to support various COVID-19 response actions across the state. 

 

The supplemental budget includes a number of provisions that allow assist Michigan in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, help small business weather the difficult economic conditions created by COVID-19, and ensure that workers who put themselves at risk on the frontlines are fairly compensated, including: 

 

  • A $2/hour increase for direct care workers;   
  • $125 million in grant funding to reduce the cost of child care for families;   
  • $100 million for hazard pay for local first responders and $200 million for local units of government;   
  • $100 million in small business restart grants;   
  • $60 million in rental assistance and eviction diversion;   
  • $25 million for wireless hotspots and enhanced connectivity;   
  • $18 million for health and safety grants for schools;   
  • $10 million in MIOSHA grants for protections to keep workers safe on the job;   
  • and $14 million for food banks and domestic violence shelters. 

 

“I was pleased to sign this bill to put more federal funding to work across our state,” said Governor Whitmer. “Between the signing of this bill today and the recent agreement on the 2020 budget announced earlier this week, we have now put the full amount of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to use so that Michiganders can reap the full benefit of our federal funding. Now, we need Congress to act later this month and provide additional aid to the states so that we can begin to address the budget shortfall in 2021.” 

 

  • Governor Whitmer yesterday signed Executive Order 2020-143 closing indoor service at bars throughout most of lower Michigan to protect the progress Michigan has made against COVID-19. Regions 6 and 8, which include the Upper Peninsula and much of northern Michigan, are excluded from the order, and bars statewide can continue to serve outdoors. The governor also signed a package of bills allowing cocktails-to-go at bars and restaurants to help these businesses serve more Michiganders during this time. 

 

“We owe it to our front line heroes who have sacrificed so much during this crisis to do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the chance of a resurgence like we are seeing in other states,” said Governor Whitmer. “Following recent outbreaks tied to bars, I am taking this action today to slow the spread of the virus and keep people safe. If we want to be in a strong position to reopen schools for in-person classroom instruction this fall, then we need to take aggressive action right now to ensure we don’t wipe out all the progress we have made.” 

 

  • Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bills 876-878, which codify her previous Executive Orders, further extending the renewal dates for driver’s licenses, CDLs, state ID cards and vehicle registrations. Among the extensions outlined in the legislation, those with driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations expiring after March 1 have until September 30, 2020 to have them renewed. 

 

“I am pleased to continue to work with the Legislature to codify significant Executive Orders that help Michiganders cope with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Whitmer. “These bills will give Michigan residents peace of mind and reduce the amount of person to person interaction necessary when renewing licenses and registrations.” 

 

  • Governor Whitmer also signed House Bills 4449, 5195, 5313, 5315, 5341-5355, and 5400, as well as Senate Bills 876-878 and 963 into law yesterday. 

 

  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced 262 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. This brings the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 to 64,132. 

 

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HAPPENING ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT 

 

  • With temperatures expected to be above 90 degrees in much of Michigan this July 4th holiday weekend, the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is urging residents to take steps to stay safe during the extreme heat. 

 

“Extreme heat can be life-threatening,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “By taking some precautionary steps, you can minimize your risk of heat-related injury and help those who are most affected by severe heat.”   

 

  • The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) today announced it has awarded approximately $2.5 million in grant funding to municipal airport operators to support monitoring and testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. 

 

  • With the summer recreation season here, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is issuing a reminder that everyone should avoid foam on Michigan lakes and rivers known to have per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the water.  

Foam on these water bodies can have much higher amounts of PFAS than the water, and swallowing foam with PFAS could be a health risk. Health advisories for foam exist on some waterbodies and specific advisories can be found in the PFAS Foam section at Michigan.gov/pfasresponse. 

 

“Although, current science indicates PFAS does not move easily through the skin, it’s best to rinse off foam after contact and bathe or shower after the day’s outdoor activities,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “None of this information changes recommendations for water use at home.”  

 

RESOURCES 

 

 

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