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Pandemic Brings Triage Tent To Gerber Memorial
Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is taking additional steps to care for the community and keep patients and team members safe by opening a COVID-19 triage tent as an extension of its emergency department. The tent is scheduled to open to the public on Monday.
In accordance with the CDC, Spectrum Health recommends those with mild COVID-19 symptoms stay home and self-quarantine. When the tent is in use, patients coming to the emergency department will be met by a team member who will Spectrum Health Temporarily Closes Walk-In Clinics
To limit unnecessary exposure to COVID-19, Spectrum Health has enabled our primary care and most of our specialty care medical teams to see patients through a virtual visit. For needs requiring a face-to-face visit, there are locations available and open to patients, including urgent care sites and labs. Care options are available to all patients.
First Death From COVID-19 In DHD#10 RegionDistrict Health Department #10 (DHD#10) received notification of the first local death attributed to COVID-19. The individual from Mecosta County was an 82-year-old male who was admitted to Spectrum Health in Big Rapids on March 25...
SECOND POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE CONFIRMED IN NEWAYGO COUNTY
District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) reports the second confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in Newaygo County. The individual is not a resident of Newaygo County or of Michigan but is currently residing and recuperating in Newaygo County. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has designated this as an “out of state” case in Michigan. DHD#10 is investigating the case further to determine any other potential exposures to the individual.
Spectrum Health Accepting Donations of Medical Supplies
Responding to the outpouring of community inquiries and offers of support, Spectrum Health is opening 14 drop-off donation sites for medical supplies beginning at noon on Tuesday, March 24. The locations and hours of operation are listed below.
While Spectrum Health continues to maintain a supply of masks and other personal protection equipment for its patients and health care providers, we are working to stretch our supply and turning to the community because we anticipate the need will continue to grow... BOOM! Here We (Don't) Go
Governor Whitmer Signs “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order
Today (Monday March 23), Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order (EO 2020-21), directing all Michigan businesses and operations to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. The order also directs Michiganders to stay in their homes unless they’re a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store. Effective at 12:01 am on March 24, 2020, for at least the next three weeks, individuals may only leave their home or place of residence under very limited circumstances Cold Case Team Cracks Decades Old Atwood Case
Nearly 37 years after 25-year-old Richard Atwood disappeared from White Cloud, Michigan in Newaygo County, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel along with Newaygo County Prosecutor Worth Stay have jointly charged Roy Leando Snell with his murder. Atwood’s body has never been found.
The Cold Case Team members who doggedly pursued this case were Scott Rios (NCSO, MSP retired), Adam Mercer (NCSO), Robert Watson (MSP), Ryan Maki (MSP) and Richard Miller ( MSP ret.). COVID-19 Screening? Do It From Home!
Family Health Care Announces Changes in Services
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Family Health Care (FHC) is taking steps to protect patients and employees. Please note the following changes in our services.
ALL CLINICS: Due to the State of Michigan mandate, before entering any Family Health Care facility, all patients must complete a COVID-19 questionnaire. An employee will review this questionnaire before patients are authorized to enter any FHC building. Governor Delivers The Skinny on School Work
"The memo does not mean that school work done during the mandatory school closure won’t 'count' toward grades, credits, or graduation. Each district should determine what services and supports they are able to provide during this unprecedented crisis. Many are focusing on meeting basic needs and are working around the clock to provide breakfast and lunch for hungry students. Other districts have the ability to provide more learning support as a result of one-to-one technology initiatives. I am in awe of the work that school employees are doing to support their kids and I applaud their efforts.
Relief Said To Be On The Way
Individuals will receive $1200 per adult. $500 per child 16 and under unless their adjusted gross income is over $75,000 single or $150,000 married.Then the payment is reduced until single $99,000 and married $198,000. Anything over that amount will not receive a payment.
These will be based on your 2018 return unless you have filed a 2019 return already. There is no need to apply as the payment will be deposited automatically in... Temporary Expansions in Unemployment Eligibility and Cost-Sharing
Suspends the requirement for an individual seeking unemployment to request a registration and work search waiver from their employer;
Allows anyone with an active unemployment claim to receive up to a six-week benefit extension. Expands cost-sharing with employers. Any benefit paid to a claimant that is laid off or placed on a leave of absence will not be charged to the employer’s accounts, but instead will be pooled and assumed by the Nonchargeable Benefits Component of employer accounts. Employers who unlawfully misclassify their workers and have underpaid their unemployment tax do not get the benefit of this enhanced cost-sharing. Guv Halts Evictions During COVID-19 CrisisGovernor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-19, which allows tenants and mobile home owners to remain in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic even if they are unable to stay current on their rent. The order also relieves courts from certain statutory restrictions to enable them to stay eviction-related proceedings until after the COVID-19 emergency has passed. The executive order takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until April 17 at 11:59 p.m.
Child Care For Essential Workforce
Supporting Nonprofits
On March 19, Fremont Area Community Foundation established Community Response Funds to rapidly deploy resources to nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.
The funds will award immediate grants to nonprofit organizations whose operations support children, older adults, and other vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19 in Lake, Mecosta, Newaygo, and Osceola counties. The Community Foundation will work closely with area nonprofit organizations to identify both immediate and long-term needs. Grants will be considered that address issues such as childcare, food insecurity, healthcare, transportation, financial assistance, general operating support, and other identified needs. 
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SEARCH NEAR NORTH NOWRising Above
When visits with their great grandparents Charlie and Mary Wyman (who live ever so conveniently across the street from them) were halted by the current need for social distancing the Spicer girls, Liberty and Kennedy, decided to show them how much they were missed with a little messaging...
Stepping Up to Meet the Need
Newaygo Family Dental Care helps out, encourages other local dentists to join
In times like these when some have taken to hoarding supplies with little thought to the needs of others it is refreshing to see the actions of individuals and organizations who realize this is a team effort and that we are truly all in this together. This is what it means to be a part of a community and to do community service... What Does Essential Mean?Here is the latest list of services that will remain available as of 12:01am Tuesday March 24
Grocery Stores Healthcare Clinics and Hospitals Food Banks Pharmacies Take-out Restaurants Convenience Stores Mail Service Delivery Service Banks and Credit Unions Healthcare for Pets Gas Stations Auto Shops Child Care Services Laundromats News Media Busy
Instead of just being busy I’m choosing to be grateful. The outpouring of support I have seen within my community this last week has been heartwarming. School buses heading out to deliver lunches to children. Teachers creating packets and lessons online for our students to complete. Teenage baggers offering to deliver groceries to those who cannot leave their homes. Artists and educators doing online demonstrations for anyone that wants to participate. Fitness classes streaming for free to keep us moving with them. The list grows every day...
Hands in the Dirt: Garden Therapy
So this year. I will experiment with this approach and leave the garden tools home. Instead I will weed and grab a handful of dirt and scrunch it into a ball. When I open my hand and it crumbles, I will know planting time has arrived. If it stays tightly packed, I will have to wait a little longer. Sort of like taking your garden's temperature.
An Unusual Spring
This year, though, is a little different. Andrea and I will not be crowding onto the Magee Marsh boardwalk with up to 90,000 obsessed birders from every continent to witness the incredible phenomenon of thousands of songbirds resting and staging before their trip over Lake Erie. Nor will we...
Megan Again: There’s Beauty in the Cracks
My 12 year old son and 16 year old daughter cleaned the entire basement and turned it into an awesome hangout spot and jam space all on their own. I was very suspicious. I still kind of am. The day before that my son built a rocket and my daughter painted it. They did this together. We have also been playing more music and learning new songs together. It’s only been one week, so let's see where we are three weeks from now. Currently I’m cautiously optimistic that we will not be having a Shining like situation on our hands
Marathon Miles: Covid-19 Edition
I was now going to have to implement some sort of homeschool schedule for my kids, be the chef, and make sure they don’t kill each other in the process. Oh and also make sure our immune systems were at peak performance with enough vitamins coming from unprocessed foods that I would somehow have to...
Whatever It Takes
By 3:30 that afternoon, having collected and set out all the elements for the anticipated concoction, I did a little housework, did a little yoga, read a few emails, smiled at the Quarantini ingredients on the kitchen table, prepped a few things for dinner…..and before I knew it, 5:00 rolled around. John, and I pulled our chairs around the kitchen table, ready for our first virtual Happy Hour,
SHGM Cancer Center Doing Lab Tests for Patients
Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial today announced that patients at its Cancer Center can get lab tests done there. Patients undergoing active chemotherapy treatment and have appointments scheduled can enter through the Cancer Center main door off Pine Street.
Gerber Memorial staff will be posted at the entrance to screen people for possible symptoms or risk factors related to COVID-19. The Cancer Center is open Mondays through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients who are going through chemotherapy treatment can call 231.924.1305 for a lab appointment. |
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