Here are latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan on Wednesday, April 8, 2020:
-- Health experts and local officials warned that this would be a bad week; and, unfortunately, they were right. New numbers reported Wednesday afternoon show Michigan has 20,346 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, with a total of 959 related deaths statewide. The official count from the health department include 1,376 new cases and 114 additional deaths since the last report on Tuesday. GET DETAILS HERE.
-- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday confirmed that she is going to extend her "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order. An announcement on the details is expected Thursday afternoon. READ MORE HERE. This comes after the Legislature approved a 23-day extension of the State of Emergency.
-- Here's the answer to the question many Michiganders have been asking: When will I get my stimulus check from Uncle Sam? A timeline was announced today. DETAILS HERE
-- A Michigan woman who died of COVID-19 while in a nursing home made pleas for help to her Alexa device. Her sister shared her story with WWJ. LISTEN HERE.
-- Is Michigan's Attorney General turning the coronavirus pandemic into a racial issue? Dana Nessel tweeted that she just "can't hear about one more black health care worker, police officer or bus driver die while getting a barrage of complaints from white folks outraged because they can't go golfing." She added the high rates of infection and death within the African-American population is horrific and further establishes how minorities lack equal opportunity in access to health care, housing, education and employment. Some responding to the AG pointed out that the virus doesn't see color, and many white people are dying, too.
-- Have you been ripped off while buying hand sanitizer, masks, food or other necessities online? Four sellers conducting business through Amazon were told by the AG to stop taking advantage of consumers after Nessel's office found "credible reports" of price-gouging in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. DETAILS HERE.
-- The Department of Health and Human Services announced the first contract for ventilator production rated under the Defense Production Act, to Detroit's own General Motors. GM's contract totals $489.4 million, and it's for 30,000 ventilators to be delivered to the Strategic National Stockpile by the end of August 2020. DETAILS HERE
-- Senate Republicans on Tuesday defeated Democrats' amendment to extend the governor's State of Emergency in Michigan by 70 days, as was requested by Whitmer, and instead passed a resolution to extend it by 23 days. The State House then passed the measure, Tuesday afternoon.
-- Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says there are signs that social distancing is working in the city's fight against COVID-19. "The storm's not over," the mayor said, "but for the first time we can see that we can beat this. READ MORE HERE.
-- Starting Wednesday, each Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) bus will have a box of masks for each rider. The mayor said Gov. Whitmer gave the city 20,000 surgical masks that were not needed by hospitals to be distributed on Detroit buses. DETAILS HERE.
-- A huge thank you was erected at the west end of William Beaumont Hospital in Troy. "Good for them!" WWJ's Charlie Langton said when he spotted the sign. SEE IT HERE
-- WWJ's Mike Campbell reported some staggering numbers: Beaumont and Henry Ford health systems have at least 2,200 employees who have displayed symptoms or tested positive for coronavirus in the last few weeks. DETAILS HERE
-- The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi has been selected as the second field hospital in Michigan to expand medical capacity during the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic. "This is more good news for Michiganders in our fight against COVID-19," said Gov. Whitmer. READ MORE HERE.
-- Fiat Chrysler says it plans to progressively reopen its U.S. and Canadian plants beginning May 4, with some new procedures in place to protect workers. READ MORE HERE.
-- The 2020 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, scheduled for Memorial Day weekend on Belle Isle, has been canceled. Race organizers say, as a result of the current public health restrictions and mandates, it is not possible to hold the event. MORE DETAILS.
-- Sinai Grace Hospital in Detroit has been at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak -- and the controversy over healthcare workers struggling to save patients while working in extremely harsh conditions without enough support, equipment and protective gear. Some staffers say they were sent home early Monday for protesting the conditions, while others claim they walked off the job. READ MORE HERE.
-- Mayor Duggan is disputing reports that it's difficult for Detroiters to get tested for COVID-19. He said, if you have symptoms, your can get a prescription. The city has provided a list of doctors taking new patients -- including those without insurance. Rides are also available to the Fairgrounds testing site. MORE DETAILS.
-- Negative test results in Michigan so continue to rise. So far, 31,362 out of 43,503 samples tested by the health department were negative. Note that the state says counts of specimens tested positive will not equal number of people with COVID-19. People may have more than one test or may have had samples tested at an out of state lab. (Last updated Tuesday).
-- Meijer will be liminting the number of customers allowed in a store at a time and will also begin conducting daily health screenings and temperature checks for employees as they arrive at work. READ MORE HERE.
-- In Michigan, men and women are about equal when it comes to testing positive for the coronavirus. But numbers show that men are more likely to die from COVID-19. Around 60% of the fatal cases have been men, according to the latest counts. HERE'S A LOOK AT WHY.
-- Gov. Whitmer said Monday she is asking Michiganders to wear masks if they must leave their homes. If you don't have a mask, it's suggested you look around your house for something else you can use to cover your face; such as a bandana. This comes after the CDC said Friday that masks are now recommended for the general public.
-- Under an Emergency Order issued by the health department, any Michigander who violates social distancing or other another Executive Order in place amid the pandemic may face a $1,000 fine. DETAILS HERE.
-- Michigan State Police are discouraging joyriding in cars or on motorcycles with the "Stay Home" order in place. MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw says it is not permitted, under the order, to take a drive just for fun or to "clear your head." READ MORE 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!
