UPDATE: Governor Whitmer COVID-19 Daily Update December 15, 2020

Michigan Executive Office of the Governor sent this bulletin at 12/15/2020 06:30 AM EST

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ICYMI 

 

  • Yesterday, Michigan convened its meeting of electors in the Senate chamber of the Michigan Capitol Building to cast all 16 electoral votes for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the Electoral College.    

  

“Today, Michigan has spoken with one voice as the 16 electors voted unanimously to finalize Michigan’s election results in the Electoral College,” Governor Whitmer said. “During the worst public health crisis we have seen in our lifetime, more than 5.5 million Michiganders from all walks of life and all corners of the state cast their votes during this historic election. In the end, Michigan has chosen a clear winner for the office of president of the United States, and for every elected office down the ballot. No matter your party or who you cast your ballot for in November, now is the time to put this election behind us and focus on eliminating COVID-19 together.”  

  

“Michigan has proven that the foundation of our democracy and the principles that we collectively cherish  can withstand even the most divisive of times,” Lt. Governor Gilchrist said. “Today’s Electoral College vote caps off an historic election that was safe, fair, and secure. It is time for our state and our nation to come together to solve our most immediate challenges and look to create countless opportunities for future generations.”  

 

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  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced  7,205 cases of COVID-19 from both Sunday and Monday. This brings the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 to 437,985. 

 

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HAPPENING ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT 

 

  • MDHHS announced that frontline health care workers at two Michigan hospitals were the first people in the state to receive the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine yesterday. 

 

“This is a great day for our families, frontline workers, small businesses, and Michigan as a whole. Here, in the state built on innovation and grit, a safe and effective COVID vaccine is being manufactured by Michigan workers at a Michigan business,” Governor Whitmer said. “Our frontline essential hospital workers have gone above and beyond to save lives – including stepping up today to receive vaccines. And we have residents across the state doing their part to eradicate the virus and keep our communities safe. Remember: it will take some time for the vaccine to be widely distributed to everyone. That’s why it’s so important that we all do our part by masking up, practicing safe social distancing, and avoiding indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person. This is a historic day in Michigan. We will get through this together.” 

 

The first COVID-19 vaccine, produced by Michigan-based Pfizer, and yesterday’s initial vaccinations mark a historic milestone in the world’s unprecedented cooperative mission to control and end the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccinations at Michigan Medicine and Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital begin the journey toward the eventual safe full reopening of Michigan’s economy, schools and communities. Additional Michigan hospitals are expected to begin vaccinating health care staff later this week. 

 

  • The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity called on the federal government to take action to help nearly 700,000 unemployed Michiganders. Federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs provided under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that is set to end on December 26, 2020.   

 

“We’re hopeful that Congress will take action to protect access to critical unemployment assistance for Michigan workers whose jobs have been affected by COVID-19,” said UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson. “Allowing these programs to expire is not only harmful to Michigan workers, but it would be devastating to Michigan’s economy.” 

 

  • The Michigan National Guard announced that they will support community health care organizations with logistical and medical assets for COVID-19 vaccinations across the state. The Guard will first staff approximately 50 COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Teams, or CVTTs, that are comprised of a uniformed medical technician and one or two administrative support personnel.  

 

“We will provide medics and administrative support to hospitals and local health care organizations and work to fill their needs,” said Col. Ravindra Wagh, Michigan National Guard Joint Operations Officer.  “For some locations that will mean directly administering the vaccine to their staff.  We will also provide administrative support when needed, freeing up critical front-line hospital employees and allowing them to focus on the ongoing battle against COVID-19.”    

 

MEDIA COVERAGE 

 

 

A BIT OF RELIEF 

 

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RESOURCES