Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan on Monday, April 27, 2020:
-- Michigan's Chief Medical Officer is "cautiously optimistic that we are headed in the right direction" as the state records the lowest number of new cases in nearly a month. "Statewide we are continuing to see an overall plateau in the number of cases of COVID-19 in Michigan," Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said Monday. LATEST NUMBERS HERE.
-- Construction is one of the first sector's on the list Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gives a first look at what the gradual reopening of Michigan's economy will look like. This comes as she asks the Legislature to extend the State of Emergency a further 28 days, through Memorial Day. READ MORE.
-- In the governor's latest stay-home order, she loosened restrictions on golf courses, boating and some work, like landscaping, while tightening rules about face coverings. Beginning today, Michiganders are required to wear masks in enclosed public spaces. DETAILS HERE
-- Masks, however, are not easy to find. See Michigan AG Dana Nessel's solution HERE.
-- The state is also releasing new information regarding Michigan nursing homes hit hard by COVID-19; including names of facilities with cases, and how many cases were confirmed in each facility. READ MORE.
-- Keep an eye on the sky this Wednesday! The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds will be paying tribute to health care workers, first responders and other essential workers with a 'Fly Over Detroit.' MORE DETAILS.
-- There are pickup locations from Detroit to Romeo as Forgotten Harvest works to get groceries to struggling families. For anyone who might need a little help with food this week, see the distribution SCHEDULE HERE.
-- On the same day that headlines screamed about Gov. Whitmer's extension of the stay in place order to May 15, she quietly defunded the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) most successful veteran's outreach program, the group says. DETAILS
-- A popular downtown restaurant is laying off its staff -- permanently. Punch Bowl Social in Detroit will lay off 97 workers, another victim of coronavirus budget slashing by a larger corporation. SEE MORE
-- As Michigan begins to think about reopening in phases, Gov. Whitmer is taking steps to make sure essential businesses are keeping customers and employees safe. She signed Executive Order 2020-60 Sunday to ensure enhanced cleaning, social distancing and screening measures at grocery stores and pharmacies. MORE 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.
-- Blue and red lights flashing, and tears in many eyes. In a "Ride For Skylar", a long line of police cars and fire trucks paid tribute to a small Detroit girl lost to coronavirus. VIDEO HERE.
-- Drone footage shows the true scale of "Operation Gridlock" — a massive stay-home protest that brought traffic to a halt in Michigan's capital city on April 15th. SEE IT 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 announced approximately 2,800 employees across 6 hospitals are being temporarily furloughed, after the company lost $43 million amid 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.
-- 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.
-- 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!
