The CDC is now reporting 746,625 cases of COVID-19 and 39,083 deaths in the U.S. While the virus continues to spread in cities across the country, some states that have made progress in case count and testing are preparing to open up as soon as this week. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced that his state will begin reopening some businesses — including fitness centers, hair salons, and bowling alleys — on April 24. While South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is allowing some stores to reopen today at 20% capacity, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is working toward a May 1 reopening, with businesses required to follow specific guidelines. Other states, like New Jersey, California, and of course, Michigan have seen protesters push back against stay-at-home orders. But governors of these states insist that the decision to reopen will be based on facts, data, and science, and large gatherings will only slow down progress. Here’s what’s happening in metro Detroit:
The state of Michigan is now reporting 576 new COVID-19 cases and 77 deaths. To date, the state has seen 32,000 cases and 2,468 deaths. [Michigan.gov]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opened up her press conference today by remembering Skylar Herbert, a 5-year-old Detroiter who died from COVID-19 on April 19. Herbert’s parents both work as first responders in the city — her father is a firefighter, and her mother is a police officer — and she is the first child to have died of the coronavirus in Michigan. “They’ve been on the front line, and they’ve served with honor and integrity,” Whitmer said of Herbert’s parents. “They did not deserve to lose their child to this virus. Nobody does. Nobody deserves to lose a child, or a parent, or a grandparent, or any loved one.” Whitmer went on to share that, since Friday, she has sent a letter to FEMA requesting cost-sharing requirements for emergency work be waived. The state has also launched a project that encourages food processors and suppliers to donate to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist also spoke at the conference, expanding on how the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities will help citizens. So far, the task force plans to work on issues such as increasing the transparency in reporting data, removing barriers to physical and mental health care, and reducing the medical bias in testing and treatment. The entire conference can be viewed on the Michigan State Police Facebook page. [Facebook: Michigan State Police]
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan also began his press conference at Eastern Market today by remembering Skylar Herbert. “It’s a reminder to all of us of what’s at stake with our commitment to social distancing,” Duggan said. “And I want the Herbert family to know that they’re being held in the hearts of all Detroiters today.” The 5-year-old was one of 47 Detroiters who died from COVID-19 in the last three days. The mayor says that while that number is down significantly from other days and things are heading in the right direction, residents should take into consideration that weekend numbers may not be as accurate as the labs may be backed up with sending in data to the city. According to Duggan, so far there have been 119 nursing home deaths. He adds that he wouldn’t be surprised if one out of four or one out of five victims of the coronavirus are from the city’s nursing homes. The mayor also provided updates on the city’s plan to test all essential employees in Detroit. Starting today, all City of Detroit employees and critical infrastructure workers can be tested without a prescription. The entire conference can be viewed on the City of Detroit Facebook page. [Facebook: City of Detroit Government]
A new poll shows that 44% of Michigan citizens approve of President Trump’s response to COVID-19, while 57% approve of Whitmer’s response. More than 600 Michigan residents were polled for the survey between April 15 and 16. Other highlights include the finding that 28% of respondents were worried about putting food on the table, 18% of individuals still working as normal believe they have contracted the coronavirus, and 29% have been furloughed, laid off, or are unable to work. The entire survey can be viewed here. [Detroit Regional Chamber]
General Motors Co. is expanding its manufacturing capabilities to produce up to 50,000 face masks a week, as well as more protective gowns, latex-free face shields, and aerosol boxes, which are containers that protect healthcare workers when intubating patients. “It’s amazing how much our employees have accomplished in such a short time,” says Mark Reuss, president of GM. “People from all corners of the company have really stepped up to help, and to lend their talents, time and energy to battle coronavirus.” [General Motors Co.]
United Auto Workers President Rory L. Gamble has endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s plan to reopen the economy, which he says relies on “experts and science-based factors, acknowledges the need for adequate testing and oversight of safety in reopening workplaces, and is devoid of partisan acrimony.” In his statement, Gamble adds, “I have said for some time that the only litmus test in reopening the economy is whether you would send your son or daughter into the workplace. To do that requires a science-based nonpartisan approach to worker safety.” The UAW has yet to endorse a candidate for the 2020 presidential race. [United Auto Workers]
A new study from the University of Michigan says that low-risk prisoners who receive early parole amid the coronavirus pandemic are at little risk of committing crimes again. Older prisoners, who are more at risk of complications due to COVID-19, are particularly less prone to recidivism. Data shows that recidivism decreases with age. For example, 15% of those age 18 to 24 at the time of release are re-incarcerated within three years, while 3% of those in the 55-plus age group are imprisoned again in three years. “It has never been more important to understand whether the instinctive fear of violent recidivism that has long pervaded criminal justice policy is really grounded in fact,” says U-M law professor J.J. Prescott. [University of Michigan]
Ypsilanti-Based Eastern Michigan University is offering its laundry facilities to St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor as the coronavirus requires that the hospital’s staff go through more medical clothing than usual. Hospital staff is processing nearly 20 loads of laundry a day at the college’s Student Athletic Performance Center, which boasts three, 60-gallon washing machines. Eastern employees arrive early to open the facility and loading docks for hospital trucks. They also sanitize the laundry room daily. [Eastern Michigan University / St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor]
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