Rep VanSingel appeals to the Guv
With a few of those teasingly warm Spring days at hand your thoughts may have turned to the yard and the possibilities of starting a little decorative landscaping. Or perhaps you have tilled up your garden and readied it for the cucumber, pepper, melon and, of course, zucchini plants that will populate the produce plot. And if you’re not one of those folks who have already begun the process with trays of tomatoes basking in a south viewing window, you count on getting to the greenhouse and grabbing the gardening goods. Except you can’t go. Greenhouses cannot open due to not being deemed essential. State Rep Scott VanSingel responded to input from his constituents by sending off a letter to the Governor requesting a second look at this situation, an action that has drawn praise and support on our local social media sites. Here is his letter. Dear Governor Whitmer As you know, Executive Order 2020-21 directed businesses deemed as non-essential to cease in-person work. I’m sure your office has been bombarded with requests from multiple businesses who have been classified as non-essential looking for exemptions. Your clarification and consideration of these requests has been greatly appreciated. I would like to bring one more industry to your attention, the greenhouse industry. This industry is currently classified as essential which allows them to care for their plants. The problem is that the on- site sales of these plants are currently not permitted. The large majority of the annual sales for the greenhouse industry comes in the next few weeks. While big box retailers have been permitted to operate their garden centers, many of the smaller, local greenhouses sell their products on-site. I applaud your approach of using sound science to evaluate which industries are essential and which pose a public health risk. My request is that you take a second look at on-site greenhouse sales and find a compromise in which growers could potentially have curbside sales which would limit face to face interaction. There have been promises of grants and loans available to these struggling businesses, however, the aid will simply not be enough for most of these businesses to survive missing nearly an entire season of sales. For example, only $25,000 was allocated in grant money to all of Newaygo county where I live. Again, I appreciate your leadership and focus on public health during this crisis. I ask that you help us find a compromise for this industry which will both protect public health and save the industry from near certain collapse. Sincerely, Representative Scott VanSingel 100th District
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Most Facilities Remain Open, but Social Distancing Must be Maintained
LANSING-To help slow the spread of the coronavirus and in accordance with the current"Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order, the Department of Natural Resources continues to monitor visitation and adherence to social-distancing requirements at DNR-managed facilities. This means continually assessing needed adjustments to services and closures that best protect visitors, staff and the local communities. A vast majority of state parks and recreation areas, state-managed trails and boating access sites remain open to provide local opportunities to get outdoors; however, all locations have modified services and/or closed amenities. Recently, Tippy Dam Recreation Area in Manistee County was closed until further notice due to high numbers of visitors, lack of improper social distancing and people traveling long distances to reach the park. "Throughout the stay-at-home order, we’ve seen an influx of visitors at state parks, boating access sites and trails," said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. "In order to continue to keep state parks and trails open, we expect everyone to follow effective social distancing practices, to not litter and not travel long distances to enjoy the outdoors. “If concerns continue to build, the DNR will have to look at closing or further limiting access to our state-designated trails, state parks, boating access sites and other outdoor locations,” he said. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves and additional information has become available to state, health and DNR officials, the following reminders and announcements are in place. Do not litter. Please carry in, carry out It’s been reported by both visitors and staff that a significant amount of trash has been left in state parks and boating access sites and at trailheads. Because of limited staff and the need to minimize public contact, trash services have been reduced in DNR-managed locations to dumpsters in designated locations. Visitors are asked to help protect our natural resources and bring a trash bag and “carry in, carry out” their trash and recyclables. Social-distancing offenses could result in fines The Department of Health and Human Services issued an emergency order April 2 that sets a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for not complying with executive orders banning gatherings and nonessential businesses, including social distancing (not keeping at least 6 feet between individuals) and a process for referral to licensing agencies for violations of Executive Orders 2020-11, 2020-20 and 2020-21. Criminal penalties for violation will remain an option for prosecutors. Motorized and non-motorized trails open for local visitors only Even though the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order allows for engagement in outdoor activities, the DNR is asking visitors to stay local and not travel far distances to hike, run, bicycle or ride an ORV. Under the order, extensive travel is permitted only for essential needs. DTE Energy Foundation Trail parking lot closures The two primary parking lots for Waterloo Recreation Area’s DTE Energy Foundation Trail are closed due to reports of people gathering at trailheads and mountain biking trails and not adhering to social-distancing requirements. The parking lots are located on Cassidy Road and M-52 in Chelsea. The trail remains open for local use, and visitors should park in alternative and appropriate lots. There is no parking along M-52, and people are encouraged to bike into the trails to avoid crowding at other parking spots. Dispersed camping To help minimize nonessential travel, dispersed camping on public lands is closed until further notice. This falls in line with state park and recreation area campgrounds and state forest campgrounds that are also closed until further notice. Fishing Fishing is allowed, and the 2020 season is now open. Fishing is one outdoor activity that can be done with proper social distancing – just make sure to remain 6 feet away, or a fishing rod’s distance, from others and stay local. Nonessential travel The DNR continues to support the governor’s "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order, which includes that nonessential travel is not permissible, including travel to state parks, trails and other outdoor destinations outside the local area. Traveling outside local communities could unintentionally increase the spread of COVID-19 into nearby communities. Keep the following guidelines in mind
Know before you go Anyone planning to visit any state-managed land is first encouraged to visit the DNR COVID-19 response page for updates and frequently asked questions on facility closures, changes in services and event/meeting cancellations. Follow Michigan.gov/DNRClosures for the latest information. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. Request would provide easier access to coverage while keeping residents safe during COVID-19 outbreak
LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is requesting federal approval of flexibilities for the state’s Medicaid Program that are consistent with the commitment of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun to keep Michigan’s most vulnerable residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. MDHHS today is making the request to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to temporarily waive a number of Medicaid requirements. “Michiganders need to stay home and stay safe,” Whitmer said. “They also need easy access to healthcare coverage now more than ever. That’s why we need to suspend the red tape to make it easier for Medicaid beneficiaries to receive the services they need to stay healthy during this national crisis.” COVID-19 has the potential to cause serious and fatal complications for individuals with underlying medical conditions, meaning the state’s 2.5 million Medicaid beneficiaries are at an elevated risk. “These essential changes will ensure Medicaid beneficiaries have access to health care coverage, medicine and providers while also preventing potentially dangerous face-to-face interactions,” Khaldun said. Michigan is asking the federal government to allow its Medicaid program to:
Waivers would end upon termination of the public health emergency, including any extensions. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. Locations:Offering Urgent Care, Pharmacy and Behavioral Health Services
To assist in providing access to needed health care services within each community Family Health Care serves, it has opened its medical, pharmacy and behavioral health departments to help those in need. Being a community health center, Family Health Care is an entry point for many into the health care system. During this pandemic, FHC is providing care for urgent medical needs that may not require a visit to the hospital, but need to be seen by a provider. To help limit exposure of patients and staff, each FHC also has established "Fast Track Clinics" committed to people experiencing respiratory illness and COVID-19 symptoms (following guidelines posted on the FHC website, not all patients will be tested for COVID-19). “These are unprecedented times, not only for community health centers but health care in general,” said Kathy Sather, President & CEO of Family Health Care. “Our staff is doing everything they can to continue providing much-needed services to our communities. By temporarily focusing our medical clinics on urgent care, we hope to take some stress off the local emergency rooms in the areas we serve.” Family Health Care is currently providing the following services to its communities: Medical Services Open to patients and community with urgent medical needs for illnesses or injuries which require prompt attention but are typically not of such seriousness as to require the services of an emergency department. This includes, but is not limited to:
Open to the public for prescription requests and refills. Pickup pharmacies are by curbside pickup only, allowing patients to have medications brought to them. Behavioral Health Services Open to the public and now offer both in-person and telehealth appointments for comprehensive outpatient counseling. Services are available for all ages and include:
For the most up-to-date information on Family Health Care and COVID-19, please visit https://www.familyhealthcare.org/covid19/ Locations: https://www.familyhealthcare.org/locations/ |
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