Covid-19 outbreak

Whitmer: New mandates not needed if people get vaccinated

Rick Pluta

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday that her administration is NOT considering new statewide COVID restrictions.

Stephanie Chenard bid her 3rd grader, Desmond, goodbye for the day, as he headed into his classroom last week. Screens can't replace the value of in-person interaction for schoolkids says UCSF psychotherapist Saun-Toy Trotter. "One element of their well-being, she says, is being with peers — learning, stretching, struggling, growing and connecting."

Northern Michigan health departments can’t keep up with COVID-19 spread in schools

Brett Dahlberg

The latest data from the state health department show that COVID-19 is spreading fastest in Michigan’s youngest age group: people under 10 years old.

Superintendent Rick Heitmeyer announced the change in mask policy in a facebook video.

Kalkaska Public Schools adopts universal mask policy; more than 200 students quarantined

Kendra Carr

Kalkaska Public Schools has decided to go to universal masking in an attempt to keep up student attendance.

Whitmer says mask mandates up to local governments and schools

Rick Pluta

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday she will veto a bill to prevent her from using the state’s emergency response system to send updates on COVID-19 regulations.

An Upper Peninsula health department is warning about the recent, explosive spread of COVID-19.

U.P. health department sees 2,800% increase in COVID-19 cases this month

Brett Dahlberg

A rural health department in the Upper Peninsula says it’s getting slammed by new COVID-19 cases.

A surgical mask and an N95 respirator. Officials in China are urging citizens to wear masks in public to stop the spread of the coronavirus. But can a mask really keep you from catching the virus?

MI State Medical Society: Time again to mask up

Rick Pluta

The Michigan State Medical Society has adopted the position that people should return to wearing face masks while indoors in public places. That’s regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19.

N95 masks are used both as dust masks and as medical equipment.

Michigan tightens mask rules for state workers

Rick Pluta

State employees are being told they once again have to mask up at the office as a health precaution.

MIOSHA asks employers to adopt new CDC mask guidance

Rick Pluta

The state’s workplace safety agency is urging businesses to adopt the CDC’s new mask recommendations to help stave off the spread of new COVID-19 variants.

Of more than 9,000 nursing homes analyzed, 61% were cited for one or more infection-control deficiencies.

Senate panel sends subpoena to MDHHS

Rick Pluta

A state Senate committee has issued a subpoena to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for documents related to its COVID-19 response.

IPR News

Our Lives Have Changed: Saying goodbye from a phone screen

Taylor Wizner

Last spring, Julia Chambers, of Walhalla, was desperate to find out if her sister Joanie was okay. Joanie lived in a nursing home outside of Detroit, and…