Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan on Friday, April 24, 2020:
-- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has extended her "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order through May 15, while relaxing restrictions so some businesses can reopen and the public can participate in more outdoor activities like golf and motorized boating. There is also a new rule regarding masks. DETAILS HERE
-- Even as the governor says the curve is flattening, the COVID-19 case count continues to climb in Michigan. There are 1,350 new confirmed cases being reported in the state, bringing the total to 36,641. That includes 108 additional deaths recorded, for a total of 3,085 deaths, according to the latest state update on Friday. DETAILS HERE.
-- The president of the United Auto Workers union says U.S. auto plants stalled amid the pandemic should not reopen early next month. It's "too soon and too risky." READ MORE.
-- Detroit kids learning at home will get free tablet computers and internet as part of a $23 million initiative to "bridge the digital divide" for the city's 51,000-student public school district. DETAILS HERE.
-- FBI agents on Thursday raided a medical office in Macomb County that the feds say has been provided fraudulent treatments for COVID-19, including IV infusions that allegedly claimed to be able to guard against the virus. READ MORE.
-- A much smaller protest against Michigan's Stay-At-Home order was held Thursday Lansing, and this one has a twist: Instead of at the state capitol, it was at the governor's mansion. DETAILS & VIDEO
-- Drone footage of last week's massive stay-home protest hows the true scale of "Operation Gridlock," which brought traffic to a halt in Michigan's capital city. SEE IT HERE.
-- Reaction is mixed as ICP's 2020 "Gathering of the Juggalos" has been canceled due to the pandemic. "The bottom line is that we REFUSE to risk even ONE Juggalo life." READ MORE.
-- What does a community do to come together after a devastating loss that's a flashpoint for all the fear and sadness they're facing during a pandemic? In the case of Detroit, a memorial fund and a massive show of support have been launched to support the family of Michigan's youngest COVID-19 victim. MORE HERE
-- Budget cuts are coming in Oakland County, Michigan's richest county, to cover the cost of doing business during a pandemic. DETAILS
-- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday announced that around 6% of state employees will be laid off for ten days, to save the state around $23 million. MORE HERE.
-- Henry Ford Health System in Detroit has annoucned approximately 2,800 employees across 6 hospitals are being temporarily furloughe, after the company lost $43 million amind the pandemic. DETAILS HERE This comes a couple of days after Beaumont said it will lay off 2,475 workers, 450 of them permanently, due to "dire financial effects" of COVID-19.
-- Michigan's biggest craft brewery is laying off 163 employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Founders says is hopes the layoffs — in both Grand Rapids and Detroit — hopefully are temporary. READ MORE.
-- Nursing homes coninue to be hard-hit in Michigan and nationwide. Officials say more than 120 nursing home residents and workers have died of COVID-19 in the city of Detroit; and more than 100 more have died in nursing homes elsewhere in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. READ MORE.
-- Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says there is "no way" that the city's annual 4th of July fireworks show — which draws tens of thousands of people downtown each year — will go on as planned. READ MORE.
-- Drinking more these days? A new survey shows orders to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic have led to more adults consuming alcohol and drugs to cope with stress. READ MORE.
-- A Michigan senator is calling for an investigation into the Paycheck Protection Program intended to be a parachute for small businesses that some believe quickly became a loan program for already wealthy companies. DETAILS HERE
-- Meanwhile, another $310 billion was approved by Congress to help local workers and small businesses. MORE HERE
-- The state reports 3,237 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of April 17. The recovery numbers are reported weekly by MDHHS and are defined as those alive 30 days post-onset. (This stat is updated once a week on Saturdays).
-- No cough or fever? That's OK. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says it's time to begin testing essential workers who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 — and they'll be doing it in Detroit at the Fairgrounds site. READ MORE. The mayor said hundreds of companies signed up this week to test more than 10,000 employees.
- Michigan's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said COVID-19 testing is being opened up to first responders, health care workers and all essential employees — even those who do not have symptoms. FIND A TESTING SITE.
-- How does $2,000 a-month on a debit card sound? Then $1,000 a-month for a year after the crisis? A Michigan Congresswoman has a plan to get more money to Americans dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. DETAILS HERE.
-- Need some help figuring out how to get your stimulus check? There's a new website for that. DETAILS HERE.
-- Many businesses have temporarily closed their doors as the coronavirus pandemic rages on, but there are plenty of restaurants still open across metro Detroit for carryout and curbside pickup. Hungry? CHECK THE LIST.
-- The three main symptoms of coronavirus are fever, cough and shortness of breath. In order to mitigate risk of spreading COVID-19, everyone is encouraged to take action to reduce the spread, including: wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer; avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; avoid handshakes; avoid contact with people who are sick; and stay home when you are sick. Officials are urging social distancing -- staying at least six feet away from other people -- to help flatten the curve.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 where we will remain live, local and committed to bringing you the latest information during this outbreak. >>LISTEN LIVE!
