John Hopkins University is now reporting 1.72 million COVID-19 cases and 101,337 deaths in the U.S. Today, North Carolina reported one of its highest days of deaths and hospitalizations, Major League Soccer announced that clubs could begin to use outdoor facilities for small group training sessions, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he is signing an executive order that will give business owners the right to deny entry to patrons not wearing masks. Here’s what’s happening in metro Detroit:
The state of Michigan today reported 406 new COVID-19 cases and 38 deaths. Following a review of old death certificates, today’s data includes 17 additional deaths. In total, the state has seen 65,014 cases and 5,372 deaths. [Michigan.gov]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reviewed COVID-19 budget priorities for Michigan during her press conference today. So far, the state has spent $25 million to support hospitals, $22.8 million for direct care workers, $101 million in support of child care services, $3.3 million to bars and restaurants, and $251 million to secure personal protective equipment, such as hospital gowns, ventilators, sanitizer, N95 masks, and hospital beds. The state has also paid $8.5 billion in unemployment to Michigan workers. “Each of those expenditures represents people whose lives and livelihoods have been protected during this uncertain time,” she said. So far, Michigan has lost $6.2 billion in revenue for this fiscal year. To combat this, Whitmer reiterated that she has taken a 10 percent pay cut, and her executive team and cabinet have both taken a 5 percent pay cut. Two rounds of state employee layoffs have also resulted in $80 million in gross savings. Watch the entire conference, here. [Facebook: Michigan State Police]
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that, despite the current economic situation, Pontiac-based mortgage lending company United Shore is preparing to hire 1,500 employees. In early April, the company announced it wouldn’t need to lay off any workers during the pandemic. [Detroit Free Press]
To maintain social distancing through the summer months, all scheduled events at Wayne County parks have been canceled through Aug. 31. A list of canceled events can be found, here. Parks remain open to the public, but playscapes, bike parks, and basketball courts are closed. [Wayne County Department of Public Services]
Gov. Whitmer today sent a letter to President Trump asking for an extension on Title 32 authority, which has allowed the Michigan National Guard to assist with combating the coronavirus in the state. Currently, Title 32 is authorized by the president through June 24. Whitmer is looking to extend this to July 31. “The Michigan National Guard has been instrumental in flattening the COVID-19 curve in Michigan by performing testing throughout the state; distributing personal protective equipment, food, and medical supplies; providing warehousing support; disinfecting public spaces; and assisting the Department of Health and Human Services with testing,” Whitmer said. [Michigan.gov]
A pair of billboards — one of which reads, “Now Entering Michigan. Really? You’re Sure About That?” — near the Indiana border are suggesting drivers should rethink their visit to Michigan. According to CNN, the man who purchased the billboards says the intent was to get people “thinking” and let passerby know that Indiana is open for business. [CNN]
Commercial real estate company Bedrock Detroit today announced the creation of Bedrock Relaunch, a six-month initiative meant to support its tenants as they navigate reopening. Through the initiative, all of Bedrock’s eligible, operational restaurant and retail tenants have the option to have all rent and fees waived through June, have their base rent waived if they pay 7 percent of their gross sales, and have their security deposit applied toward reopening costs. “It is becoming clear that even when all businesses are able to reopen, it’s unlikely their sales volume will immediately return to pre-pandemic levels, and we want to make sure that rent payments aren’t a barrier to success,” says Matt Cullen, Bedrock CEO. [Bedrock Detroit]
The Detroit Health Department, Wayne County Public Health Division, Oakland County Health Division, and Macomb County Health Department have all issued public health orders that require public pools to remain closed for the indefinite future to protect residents from the respreads of COVID-19. While people are at low risk of transmitting the coronavirus in pool water, officials say it is difficult to maintain social distancing in and around pool areas. Pools in apartments, clubs, condominiums, and hotels as well as dive pools, wave pools, and water slide pools are part of the order. Therapy pools may remain open for healthcare needs. [Detroit Health Department, Wayne County Public Health Division, Oakland County Health Division, Macomb County Health Department]
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