Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan on Wednesday, April 22, 2020:
-- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday it's likely she will beed to extend her "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order. However, she said it may be time to loosen some restrictions — as soon as this Friday. The governor also announced that around 6% of state employees will be laid off for ten days. LATEST 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.
-- The case count continues to grow in Michigan. There are 999 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, bringing the total to 33,966. That includes 113 new deaths recorded, for a total of 2,813 deaths, according to the Michigan Department of Human Services in an update Wednesday. DETAILS HERE.
-- 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.
-- Calling the event "Operation Queen's Castle", organizers say they will demonstrate Thursday outside Gov. Whitmer's "taxpayer funded Lansing mansion" to advocate for the immediate re-opening of Michigan. 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.
-- Police are searching for a woman who assaulted an employee a party store in Detroit with a bag full of empty bottles and cans, after she was told she couldn't return them. They need tips to ID her. MORE HERE.
-- 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 man who founded a popular anti-quarantine Michigan Facebook group that garnered 400,000 supporters who vocally oppose stay home, stay safe was unmasked as Garrett Soldano. Soldano also is the national marketing director for Juice Plus, a vitamin C supplement once endorsed by OJ Simpson. Soldana purpoted in a recent podcast it can prevent and cure just about every ailment, including coronavirus. The company walked away from his claim; His Facebook page is still going strong. DETAILS HERE
-- "Every industry is a little different, but our season is so short." Those who own and manage greenhouses and garden centers in Michigan are concerned about the economic damage if they aren't allowed to reopen May 1. READ MORE.
-- Amid all the dark and dangrous coronavirus news comes a bright spot: Beaumont Health System revealed it has discharged 2,076 COVID-19 patients, with 154 patients taken off ventilators. DETAILS HERE
-- Whitmer compared the fight against COVID-19 to the sacrifice needed during World War II, criticizing protesters who flocked to the Michigan Capitol last week to denounce her weeks-long restrictions against work and gatherings. "President Trump called this a war and it is exactly that. So let's act like it," she said. READ MORE.
-- Two popular events in Milford have been cancelled due to the pandemic. Village leaders decided last night to cancel the Memorial Day and 4th July parades. A decision about other events later in the year, including the Milford Memories festival, will be decided in June.
-- A new poll reveals more Michiganders like the way Gov. Whitmer has been handling the virus crisis then they like President Donald Trump's response. Also revealed: When people expect the state to reopen, how many people believe they caught the virus and more. POLL RESULTS 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).
-- The youngest person claimed by COVID-19 in Michigan died on Sunday, WWJ Newsradio 950's Rob St. Mary reports. Skylar Herbert lost her battle at only 5 years old. DETAILS HERE
-- 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 Wednesday that, so far, 400 companies have signed up to test around 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.
-- Michigan Republican Senators are out with their own 5-phase plan to reopen businesses in the state. Part of it: No people at festivals, concerts or sporting events until there's been no spread of the virus or a vaccine is available for 30 days. 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!
