Former City of Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr Leana Wen, "It Will Take 10 Years To Inoculate 80% of Americans."

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

 According to American physician and op-ed columnist with the Washington Post Dr. Leana Wen, at the current rate of COVID-19 vaccinations, it will take the United States 10 years to inoculate 80% of Americans. 10 years! According to the CDC, 2.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered over the past two weeks. I know that sounds like a lot, but it is really not. It is estimated that 80 to 85% of Americans need to be vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity. According to Dr. Leana Wen, "80 % of the American population is around 264 million people, so we need to administer 528 million doses to achieve herd immunity. At that rate, it would take the United States approximately 10 years to reach that level of inoculation."

It was only a week or two ago that the federal government stated that every American would be able to have the vaccine by approximately June. According to Dr. Wen, the only way to achieve that goal is to have 3.5 million vaccinations a day, and it sure looks like that is not going to happen. 

Hang in there everybody. This is going to take a while.

On The Flint Water Crisis: Contributed To Purple Walrus Press By Flint Water Crisis Activist Melissa Mays.

Photo Purple Walrus Press.
 

I have been asked repeatedly since August 2020 what I think about the proposed settlement of $641.2 million from the State of Michigan, City of Flint, Rowe Engineering and McLaren Hospital for the personal, property and business damages to Flint residents due to the ongoing Flint Water Crisis. I have been very clear that of course the amount of money isn't enough, but it is a start. We need to hold these Defendants accountable and push for the remaining Defendants: the EPA/Federal Government, Veolia & LAN to do the right thing and settle as well. I have been very clear and steadfast with my concerns that the money is not enough to dramatically change anyone's lives or pull people out of the poverty that's stricken half of our City BUT we need to ensure that the money that the Flint residents receive will not force them to lose any of their stability and State programs like Medicaid, SSI, food benefits, housing vouchers, childcare, Autism services, Rides to Wellness, mental health services, educational services and more.

The residents in Flint deserve to be paid for their losses and suffering. We have been patient. We have been civil. We have gone through nearly 5 years of litigation, including 15 appeals and we have won. Our speaking out about the injustices in Flint have helped save people from being poisoned from their own tap water in countless cities. Flint residents and Allies speaking up is what forced the changes so far. Nothing was accomplished through silence. I am EXTREMELY grateful for my team of amazingly compassionate, tough, supportive and understanding attorneys who trust me to speak the truth about what is happening in Flint and who support the voice of the people they represent. THANK YOU to Michael Pitt, Cynthia Lindsey, Bill Goodman, Julie Hurwitz and the attorneys who have stood up for me and Flint residents and fought side-by-side to get justice for Flint residents. THANK YOU for giving up 5 years of your lives and career for a City that many officials and attorneys have painted as not worth it. Thank you for listening to us, even when we are angry, and supporting our fight in and out of the courtrooms.

Today is a big day for Flint as we may finally begin to personally see some justice and acknowledgement that what has been done TO US in Flint is wrong and that we deserve the supports and resources to eventually recover from the past 6.5 years of trauma inflicted upon us and hope that it will lead to even more reparations from the remaining Defendants.

Here is an interview I did back in August and I still stand by my words and in gratitude for my close legal team who never treated me as the opposition.

"Somebody had asked me, “Why don’t you demand trillions?” Well, then there’s also the reality of the situation that we’re supposed to have a two or $3 billion state deficit and a budget deficit next year, so where’s that money going to come from? And then, also, they’re not the only defendant. We still have the EPA and the federal government, we still have the city, we still have the private engineering firms, Veolia and Len, They don’t have to worry about state budget and they were just as hands-on in this as the rest of them. Depositions are still ongoing, information is still being uncovered, guilt is still being made clear.

And they should take the state’s lead and say, “Okay, well, it’s the state who has fought us tooth and nail for years on this lawsuit over, and over, and over again.” Mays v. Snyder has bounced from federal Supreme Court multiple times, and then state Supreme Court, the County Court of Claims state court, federal court, it has been all the six circuit court of appeals. And there’s like 15 different appeals and we’ve won every one of them. And so, this has been an ongoing process of almost, yeah, so five and a half years, four and a half years of just legal back and forth and delay and deny. So if the state, who fought us the hardest, is saying, “Okay, it’s time to settle and give these people justice.”

And it’s not enough, it’s not ever going to be enough, no number is going to be enough. But these private firms, they don’t have to worry about state budgets and they do have money, and they should do what’s right by us. And also the federal government, of course, who knows what’s going on with that right now, they need to do what’s right too and stop dragging us through because all they’re doing is continuing to traumatize us and tell us that we aren’t worth it. And we wear the shirts that say Flint Lives Matter because they’re telling us by their actions and their words that they don’t, and that you can poison 100,000 people, and ruin futures, and kill people, and get away with it if you’re in the government. And because we’re poor, we’re a majority black city, and so they’re just like, ” You don’t matter.” So we fought back to prove they’re wrong."

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Releases Christmas Eve Statement And It Is Not A Happy One.

  

 Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) today released the following statement after presiding over Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s unanimous consent request to provide $2,000 survival checks for Americans.

 

“It is Christmas Eve. But it is not a silent night. All is not calm, and for too many, nothing is bright,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Donald Trump doesn’t give a damn about people. He’s sowing fear and tossing kerosene on a fire. This morning, we gave House Republicans a chance to provide Americans with $2,000 survival checks this holiday season and they turned their backs. It was shameful behavior that would make Scrooge proud.”

COVID-19 Pandemic: Reports Out Of Britain Saturday Are Alarming To Say The Least.

 By Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

As much as I hate to say it folks, there is alarming news regarding the COVID-19 pandemic Saturday morning coming out the United Kingdom. Health officials in the UK are warning of a new COVID-19 strain that apparently spreads faster. Cases are surging in England at an ever-increasingly alarming rate. According to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a quickly organized press conference, "The spread is being driven by the new variant of the virus. It appears to spread more easily and may be up to 70% more transmissible than the earlier strain." According to Professor Chris Whitty, who is England's chief medical officer, the new variant of COVID-19, "Can spread more quickly than previous strains of the virus." 

These reports out of Britain are not only alarming for the UK, they are equally alarming for the United States and the rest of the world. With vaccinations just beginning here in the United States Michael Smerconish asks the obvious question. Are we turning a corner or miles from nowhere?

COVID-19 Vaccinations Began Today At Michigan Hospitals.

 

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, frontline health care workers at two Michigan hospitals today were the first people in the state to receive the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The first COVID-19 vaccine, produced by Michigan-based Pfizer, and today’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, according to MDHHS.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer thanked the state’s hospital and other health care workers for “tireless dedication, bravery and strength” in caring for the tens of thousands of residents who have fought the virus – and for being first-in-line for vaccinations.

“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.” This according to a press release from MDHHS.

In the face of the most massive vaccination effort our world has ever seen, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, expressed her confidence in the first approved COVID-19 vaccine.

“The significant impact of COVID-19 has led to unprecedented, worldwide collaboration among scientists, medical doctors, health and government officials, and manufacturers,” Khaldun said. “The arrival of this vaccine in Michigan signals that the end of this pandemic is near.  However, it will take several months before we are able to have enough vaccine to widely distribute it to the general population. Until then, and even for individuals who receive the vaccine, we should all be doing our part to slow the spread of this virus by wearing masks, avoiding large gatherings, and washing hands.”

According to MDHHS, Brian Peters, chief executive officer of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, said the medical, support and executive teams at the state’s hospitals have been on the frontlines treating COVID-19 patients from the start of the pandemic and now “stand proud and grateful to lead the state’s public health and economic recovery from a virus that has devastated far too many lives, families, businesses and communities.”

“As vaccinations start today with the health care heroes at hospitals statewide, Michigan is now on course to move out of the darkness of pandemic to economic and public health recovery,” Peters said.

In the coming days and weeks, vaccine doses will arrive at additional Michigan hospitals and other medical centers across the state. The first Michigan citizens to be vaccinated will be priority hospital and health care workers, and staff and residents of long-term care facilities.

Even with COVID-19 vaccinations starting in Michigan and worldwide, MDHHS and doctors urge everyone to continue to practice preventative measures such as properly wearing masks, social distancing and frequent handwashing to reduce the spread of the virus until the vast majority of people have been vaccinated.

People with questions about vaccines – including the COVID-19 vaccines – should consult a credible source with answers based on medical science. Sources for vaccine information based entirely on medical science include IVaccinate.org, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the CDC. A comprehensive set of questions and answers about COVID-19 can be found at Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.

Michigan Medicine

COVID-19 vaccines started arriving and being administered today at Michigan Medicine. Pictured are Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for Health for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services alongside University of Michigan President Dr. Mark S. Schlisse.

The FDA Has Issued Emergency Use Authorization For Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine.

 

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Good news, and this is big. The FDA has authorized the COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in the United States. Very soon shipments of doses of the Phizer/BioNtech coronavirus vaccine will be sent to hospital systems across the country. Vaccinations for healthcare workers should begin within days from now.

Stay tuned.

Congresswoman Dingell Medical Marijuana Research Legislation Passes House.

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

 According to a press release from the office of Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, today, the House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation led by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) that would eliminate barriers on the legitimate research of medical marijuana.

 

“Antiquated laws written during the War on Drugs have built blockades to urgent research that could help us better understand the physical and mental health impact of marijuana,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “With the Medical Marijuana Research Act, we can empower the researchers who will educate the public about any and all potential benefits and risks of marijuana use. It is time to move our nation’s drug laws into the 21^st century, and this legislation is a critical piece of that process.” This according to the press release.

 

The Medical Marijuana Research Act would:

• Amend the Controlled Substances Act to establish a new, separate registration process to facilitate research with marijuana for medical purposes;
• Encourage the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the wait time for approval research registration applications;
• Direct FDA to issue guidelines on the production of marijuana from authorized researchers and manufacturers; 
• Make available marijuana from state authorized marijuana programs; and
• Ensure all medical marijuana researchers are in compliance with FDA drug development standards.

 

According to Wednesday's press release, currently, the Federal government only allows researchers to use marijuana provided by the University of Mississippi. According to researchers, the marijuana provided by the University of Mississippi more resembles hemp than the medical or recreational marijuana produced by state-licensed providers. This has hindered researchers ability to understand the full extent of the medical benefits of marijuana. 

 

According to a recent report, the U.S. has spent roughly $1.5 billion on marijuana research from 2008 to 2019. The vast majority of that research was focused on the potential harm, not medical potential, of marijuana.

 

###

Parola Perspective: By PWP Contributor Brooks Parola Formerly of Flint: Question For My Progressive Friends.

 Question for my progressive friends: If large cities and states were dominated by conservatives, would you still be in favor of getting rid of the electoral college?

I’m teaching the constitution now, and I’ve debated both sides of the EC enough to have (I think) a different perspective. And while I’m in favor of doing away with the EC, I really don’t think it’ll ever happen. It requires a constitutional amendment small states will never agree to.

At the constitutional convention, the small states made clear that they’d never agree to a legislature based on proportional representation. Slave states made clear, that anything that discussed even the eventual abolition of slavery in the constitution would cause them to walk out of the convention. Georgia and South Carolina threatened to leave the union altogether. Thus the compromises of a senate as well as the house, and the ridiculous three-fifths compromise.

Madison rightly argued that since Virginia had so many more people than Delaware than they should have more representation in congress, if we're truly going to be a representative democracy. But I think the same argument can be made for small states who’s power (representation) would become negligible with proportional representation in congress, and in a presidential election based on popular vote.

And maybe that’s the way it should be, but I question if we’d feel that way if we lived in a small state.

Governor Whitmer Will Address The State In Major Announcement Regarding COVID-19 Sunday Evening At 6 PM.

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

 This evening Governor Whitmer, the Michigan Dept of Health and Human Services, and Chief Medical Executive Director Dr. Joneigh Khaldun will provide an update regarding COVID-19 and make an announcement regarding the continued efforts to slow the spread of the virus.

Press Conference will be Sunday, November 15 at 6:00 PM.

This Fight Isn't Over: By PWP Contributor and Flint Activist Melissa Mays.

 Everyone please remember that it is NOT just Trump that is leaving office... No one can say they are going to miss Betsy DeVos, Stephen Miller, William Barr, Rick Perry, Alex Azar, Lois DeJoy, ANDREW WHEELER and ALL the other appointees who have worked so hard to DESTROY the offices, positions and agencies they were appointed to. And if you don't know who these people are, then it's time to learn. A Presidential election is NOT just about a single person, even though people defended and fought against him like it was. All the bad policies and destruction that has been done needs to be fixed and fixed PROPERLY.

ALSO, everyone that has been speaking out on politics, the Constitution and our rights, this fight isn't over! Remember that your Congressional reps & Senators on the Federal level make laws and block them on a national level and Mitch McConnell has made it clear he intends to keep blocking aid to the regular person. Your State Senate & Representatives impact your State laws & protections: who is your State Rep? Do they answer the phone when you call? Your City Council and local elected officials impact your everyday life: is your Mayor or Council person fighting FOR YOU or to better themselves? So don't kick back and think it's all over because one man beat another for President. Take this energy and make SURE ALL OF YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS are doing what's right by your town/city/state. READ THE PROPOSED LAWS AND SPEAK OUT. Study, read UNBIASED information and ask questions!! An informed, educated voter is a force to be reckoned with.

Melissa Mays of Flint.

Parola Perspective In Brief: By PWP Contributor Brooks Parola: Trump Will Take His Ball And Go Home.

 I would not be surprised to see Trump take his ball and go home. I really question his ability to do the things required of him during a transition. Can you really see him graciously inviting Biden to the White House, like Obama did with him, and all other president’s have done before?

He’s on his way to becoming an hysterical lunatic and he’ll only get more crazy and delusional. This man will resign and walk out a sore loser before he’ll ever engage in the gracious transfer of power tradition requires.

What? A Football Article?... Today?! I Hear You, But I can't Help it! Eastern Michigan vs Kent State Tonight!

Photo Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

By Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

 Look, I know that we are all feeling a bit anxious today what with the presidential election results hanging in the balance and all. Hey, I'm stressed about it, also. I mean my election article yesterday was all about comfort food for cripes sake. But I'm a proud EMU alum and Eagles football fan. Therefore, I must let you all know that our Eastern Michigan Eagles will kick off this crazy pandemic season tonight at 6 PM against Kent State. The game will be played at Dix Stadium (Not a flattering stadium name) in Kent, Ohio in front of, well, no fans. Oh, I don't know, maybe they are letting player families in. We'll have to watch and see because the game will be on ESPN +! Anyway, you can watch the game on the ole telly tonight at 6 PM. I know! I won't know whether to watch the game or the news either! Let's just toggle back and forth.

 Listen, Eastern Michigan has gone to a bowl game two out of the last three years! Not too shabby! Okay, now you can go put the news back on. I am!

Election Day is Here and This Is A Big one Folks: Comfort Food Anyone? Now Please Pass the Mashed Potatoes.

 

Photo Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

By Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Well, election day has arrived and in Ypsilanti poll workers have informed me that polling places have had a steady flow of well, anxious voters. Like many of you, I'm more than a little anxious about the pending results myself. I know that my mother in the Flint area is also more than a little anxious because she told me so. To stave off her anxiety she told me she will be indulging in a little comfort food Tuesday, actually, not a little comfort food, a whole lot of comfort food. Here is what she told me about her comfort food election day plan when I went up to see her on Sunday, "Jeff, I will be making sauerkraut pork tenderloin and mashed potatoes with apple slices." Wow, I was impressed! I mean, that's an American classic, right? 

Now, I have to be clear that my mother is a staunch hardcore Democrat who does not mince her words on the topic of politics in America today. At the same time, her close friend, who also resides in the Flint area, happens to sit on the complete opposite side of the political fence, and that's alright. They've maintained their years long close friendship through these tumultuous last four years, and hey, that's a beautiful thing, right? Well, some may disagree, but I think it's great.

Anyway, the point I was going to make is that my mother told me also that interestingly, her Republican friend was also planning to be making pork tenderloin sauerkraut and mashed potatoes as comfort food, but that she was going to have applesauce instead of apple slices with her meal. Hmm. What does comfort food have to do with this election? Well, nothing. However, it does illustrate that whatever our political persuasions are in this country, and no matter how deeply divided we are now, we all love a good pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes, whether it's with apple slices or applesauce. How's that for political analysis?

Now stay safe out there and please pass the mashed potatoes.

Ypsilanti Community High School Choir Records Beautiful and Inspirational Anthem For These Difficult Times.

 By Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Today I received this beautiful and inspirational anthem recorded by the Ypsilanti Community High School Choir. "New Way" was composed and arranged by Crystal Harding. The video was edited by Skyler Baty. I hope this video performance brightens your day as much as it has brightened mine. 

Great job Ypsilanti Community High School Choir!

Click here for the video on mobile.

Washtenaw County Has Issued An Open Letter on Public Health Guidance and COVID-19.

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

The following is an open letter from Washtenaw County elected officials and universities on public health guidance and COVID-19.

October 29, 2020

 

An open letter to our Washtenaw County Community

 

Dear Washtenaw County community members and visitors,

 

The days and week ahead include Halloween, a home University of Michigan versus Michigan State football game, and Election Day, as well as countless happenings important to our community, its members, and its institutions. It is an exciting time and an incredibly challenging one. Unfortunately, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 continues to circulate. Little has changed about that. As more activities have resumed, our community is one of many with a significant increase in cases, test positivity and hospitalizations. We must be united in our efforts to reduce the spread of illness and lessen the negative impact of COVID-19 in our community.

 

We the undersigned – including our elected officials, largest universities, and health authorities – urge everyone to work together to prevent the spread of illness whenever possible. Together we can make sure community events happen in new and safer ways. We can celebrate, compete, and exercise our right to vote as safely as possible. But we must do so together and using the best prevention strategies currently available. 

 

COVID-19 is circulating, and cases are increasing in our community. Everyone should be alert to the possibility of exposure if out in public or in contact with others. The virus is primarily spread through direct, person-to-person contact. Social gatherings or events without precautions account for most local infections or exposures.

 

Everyone should continue to follow all public health guidance:

 

• Make absolutely sure you do not have any symptoms before going out in public or having contact with others. Don’t assume symptoms are allergies or unrelated to COVID-19. If you have ANY symptoms, stay home and away from others.
• If you have had known exposure to someone with COVID-19 within the past 14 days, stay home and in quarantine. A negative test during quarantine does not clear you from quarantine.

 

If you go out or are in contact with others:

 

• Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth. The only exceptions should be when you are eating, if you are alone, or only with others already in your household.
• Keep at least six feet away from others not in your household.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• If you start to feel ill or experience symptoms, isolate yourself from others as soon as possible. Seek testing and continue to stay away from others while you wait for your results.

 

Public health guidance for gatherings and events:

 

• ​In-person gatherings increase the risk of becoming infected with or spreading COVID-19. Plan to celebrate or cheer from the safety of your own home, and not with large groups of people. Be mindful of the potential exposure of other fans or your family and friends.
• Outdoor gatherings in the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are limited to no more than 25 people under local health orders; we strongly encourage smaller groups. Indoor gatherings remain limited to 10 or fewer people not in the same household under state health orders.

 

Gameday:

 

• Tailgating is prohibited in the lots surrounding the U-M stadium and strongly discouraged everywhere. There are no public ticket sales.
• There is currently a stay-in-place order for University of Michigan undergraduate students because of the steep increase in cases associated with U-M. Students and others are required to stay home and if they watch the game, to do so with their households.
• Find virtual ways to connect, cheer and celebrate.
• For students who will be going home for the Thanksgiving holiday, you can keep your family and friends at home safer by being as safe as possible now. 
• While Eastern Michigan University is on the road for its first two football games on Nov. 4 and 11, it has a home game on Nov. 18. Tailgating on the EMU campus or in the parking lots around Rynearson Stadium is prohibited. There will be no guest admissions - only ticketed family members of participants will be permitted in the stadium.

 

Halloween:

 

• Halloween is not cancelled but should look different this year. Celebrate at home, virtually or using face coverings, distance, and frequent hand cleaning to be as safe as possible.
• If you decide to trick-or-treat or hand out treats, use face coverings and avoid gathering or close contact with others not in your household. Stay outdoors.
• Find creative ways to keep distance, such as “handing” out candy from behind a 6-foot table or other marker.
• Halloween activities are not exempt from the stay-in-place order for U-M students.
• As with all events and activities, do not participate if you are having any symptoms or if you have been exposed to COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

 

Voting:

 

• Consider voting early or do so on election day as safely as possible.
• Same-day registration is available in your city or township clerk office up until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Check your registration and find your clerk’s office at Michigan.gov/Vote.

 

We strongly request and hope that all community members comply with local public health orders voluntarily, but these orders will be enforced if necessary. Failure to follow local public health orders are subject to misdemeanor charges, monetary penalties of $500 to $1000, and students may face student conduct violations.

 

We all wish for the best for our community now and always. We are at our best when we work together and value and protect one another to the best of our collective ability. We appreciate everyone’s support and cooperation – while still celebrating, cheering, and voting as safely as possible.

 

 

Most sincerely,

 

 

Jimena Loveluck, MSW                                 Jason Morgan

Health Officer                                                 Chair

Washtenaw County Health Department       Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners

 

Debbie Dingell                                               James M. Smith, Ph.D.

United States Congresswoman                     President

Michigan’s 12^th District                                 Eastern Michigan University

 

Mandy Grewal, Ph.D.                                     Lois Richardson

Supervisor                                                      Mayor

Pittsfield Township                                        City of Ypsilanti

 

Brenda Stumbo                                              Christopher Taylor

Township Supervisor                                     Mayor

Ypsilanti Township                                        City of Ann Arbor

 

Mark Schlissel MD, PhD

President

University of Michigan

Michigan Dept of Health and Human Services Recommendations For Michiganders to Vote Safely During COVID-19.

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to a October 28 press release from the Michigan Dept of Health and Human Services, to ensure Michigan voters remain healthy and reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the Nov. 3 general election, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released recommendations for voters, poll workers and election officials.

According to the statement, “This guidance allows Michiganders to carry out their right to vote while doing it safely during the pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “I encourage registered voters to consider voting alternatives to limit the number of people they come in contact with and to help reduce the spread of the virus.”

“Michigan citizens can cast their ballots safely and with confidence in this election,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “All election workers are required to wear masks and all voters are strongly encouraged to do so. Voters who already have absentee ballots can drop them off at their city or township clerk’s office or ballot drop box. Voters can also go to their local clerk’s office through Nov. 2 to vote early by requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.”

According to MDHHS, all registered voters may vote early by visiting their city or township clerk’s office through Nov. 2. There they can request, fill out and submit an absentee ballot all in one trip, or take their ballot home to fill out and sign the envelope before returning it to one of their jurisdiction’s ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. on Nov 3. Election workers, who are required to wear masks, will ask voters to show photo ID.

 

Eligible citizens who are not yet registered may register, request and submit an absentee ballot at their local clerk’s office through 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, according to the press release.

 

Remember, when you vote or return your ballot, practice healthy behaviors to protect yourself and slow the spread of the virus. These behaviors include:

• Wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose.
• Washing hands before entering and after leaving the polling location.
• While in the polling location, frequently use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
• Maintain at least 6 feet (about two arms’ length) of distance from others. This according to MDHHS.

So, remember everybody, if you are sick or concerned you have been exposed to COVID-19, seek medical care. If you don’t have an absentee ballot, contact your local election office for guidance about voting options.

 

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