UPDATE: Governor Whitmer COVID-19 Daily Update December 8, 2020

Michigan Executive Office of the Governor sent this bulletin at 12/08/2020 06:30 AM EST

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 ICYMI 

 

  • Yesterday, Governor Whitmer discussed the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s (MDHHS) action to extended the current epidemic order that restricts indoor social gatherings and other group activities by 12 days. The additional 12 days will allow the department to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan.  

 

“Hope is on the horizon, but we need an additional 12 days to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on our efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “This is all about protecting our families and frontline workers until we eradicate this virus once and for all. With recent daily case counts averaging well above 6,000, the daily death toll at alarming levels and the risk of hospitals becoming overwhelmed, we must work together as Michiganders and listen to our health experts. This may be the most difficult time yet in our struggle with COVID-19, but there is light at the end of the tunnel." 

 

The governor was joined by Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun and DHHS Director Robert Gordon to continue urging families to avoid indoor gatherings, and encourage only two households to gather inside, with strict protocols recommended. As always, individuals should wear masks consistently whenever they are inside with individuals not in their household, and are recommended to pick only a small group to see regularly 

 

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  • Yesterday, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced that Henry Ford College and Dearborn Public Schools have launched the state’s first Financial Empowerment Curriculum that teaches our youth the basic principles of managing their money.  

   

The pilot program represents the beginning of anticipated programs and partnerships between Michigan’s school districts and community colleges. Financial empowerment means having the skills and knowledge to make informed and effective decisions with available financial resources, like creating a budget, saving money and paying bills.  

   

“Empowering our youth with an understanding about money will pay dividends for our future,” Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II said. “This pilot program provides a roadmap so we can help our youth plan a budget, save money, plan for taxes, and buy insurance. Those students who take this class will have a better understanding to make well-considered financial goals and the knowledge necessary to achieve those goals.”  

 

  • MDHHS announced 9,350 cases of COVID-19 from both Sunday and Monday. This brings the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 to 404,386. 

 

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HAPPENING ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT 

 

  • The deadline for the Futures for Frontliners  program is on December 31st and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is encouraging Michiganders to apply soon and fill out their federal aid application. The program is the first of it’s kind, and offers tuition-free college to an estimated 625,000 Michiganders who provided essential, frontline services during COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe orders between April – June 2020. 

 

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  • With the holidays fast approaching, Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning consumers against scammers. For more information and ways to protect yourself visit Michigan.gov/ConsumerProtection.  

 

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