UPDATE: Governor Whitmer COVID-19 Daily Update August 11, 2020

Michigan Executive Office of the Governor sent this bulletin at 08/11/2020 06:30 AM EDT

4

 

Below is an update on the 2019 Coronavirus outbreak as of 10:00 PM on 8/10/2020                      

 

UPDATE  

 

  • Governor Whitmer continued to protect Michigan’s frontline workers in grocery stores, pharmacies and long-term care facilities by signing Executive Orders 2020-168 and 2020-169. The governor’s orders extend existing safety measures, including 2 hours a week of reserved shopping time for vulnerable populations, to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies.   

 

“For the past five months, Michiganders have stepped up and done their part to fight COVID-19, and frontline workers in our hospitals, grocery stores, nursing homes, and more have put their own lives on the line to protect our families,” said Governor Whitmer. “Our fight is not over yet, and that is why I am extending these protections to ensure employees, residents and customers are able to work and live in a safe environment.” 

 

  • Yesterday, in order to ensure that patients receive appropriate care during emergencies and disasters, Governor Whitmer vetoed Senate Bill 899.  

 

“Republicans in the legislature refuse to acknowledge that Michigan, along with all fifty state and the federal government, are in a state of emergency and continue to try to block our efforts to address the pandemic. I previously extended special liability protections for certain health care providers during the first peak of COVID-19 to ensure that hospitals did not become overwhelmed, preserving their ability to provide care,” said Governor Whitmer. “Senate Bill 899 would endanger patients and workers unnecessarily, making it nearly impossible to obtain relief from injury during a state of emergency. As always, I will continue to work together with the legislature to protect Michiganders and their families during this crisis.” 

 

  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced 557 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. This brings the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 to 87,960 

 

2

 

HAPPENING ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT 

 

  • Yesterday, Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 29 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Senate to provide relief for all federal student loan borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) currently only covers federal student loans owned by the federal government, excluding nearly 8 million borrowers whose federal student loans are owned by private entities.  

 

“For many people across this nation, paying for a college education was challenging before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now those challenges have multiplied as we continue to navigate through this crisis,” Nessel said. “The Senate in Washington D.C. needs to do the right thing and ensure relief for all students whose loans are supported or guaranteed by the federal government—regardless of who owns them. These students filled out their FAFSA forms, accepted the aid offered by the federal government, and now shouldn’t be left behind due to a technicality.” 

 

  • This week is Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is sharing  

 

 2

 

RESOURCES 

 

A BIT OF RELIEF  

 

2