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Dear Friends,
My number one priority at this time is to help protect the well-being of my constituents. While the coronavirus is present in Michigan, I would like to encourage everyone to stay calm. Over the next few days, we will see the number of confirmed cases rise due to increased testing capabilities. This is not a reason to panic. The more information we have the better we can process the information and respond with common sense practices. We will all get through this together!
In the meantime, I want you to know what is being done to protect people and our state from this virus. This letter serves as a legislative update about the action we have taken to address evolving challenges with the coronavirus.
I am staying in contact with state officials and experts, so I can provide you with the most accurate up-to-date information as possible. These are unprecedented times, but Michiganders are rising to the occasion to ward off this deadly threat. My focus will remain on ensuring that all Michigan residents are protected during this crisis.
Sincerely,
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Kevin Daley
State Senator
31st District
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General information on COVID-19
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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched a statewide hotline to respond to health-related questions about COVID-19 and to direct residents, providers and more to the right resources in their local communities and other state government departments. The hotline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136.
The latest information is also available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
Additionally, questions, correspondence, and remote meeting requests can be fulfilled through my office by sending us an email at [email protected] or calling 517-373-1777.
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If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call, do not visit, your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital. Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath.
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Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
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Avoid contact with people who are sick.
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If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
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Stay at least six feet away from others when in a public setting.
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Senate approves emergency Coronavirus funding
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Since the first confirmed cases of coronavirus in our state just last week, the Legislature and Gov. Whitmer have responded quickly in a bipartisan manner to protect Michigan residents. The Legislature approved $150 million in funds for this effort, including:
• $50 million to assist with monitoring, laboratory testing, infection control and maintaining the critical functions of state government;
• $50 million to support expanding health care capacity, as well as critical payments to hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, nurses and testing labs; and
• $50 million in the Coronavirus Response Fund should the situation worsen.
The financial support also comes with important accountability and legislative oversight provisions to ensure money will be spent in the best interests of the public and taxpayers.
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We must ensure that our students are not left behind as we continue to adapt and change to new social norms.
As you know, Gov. Whitmer’s order to close all school buildings through at least April 5 presents many challenges for students and parents, as well as teachers, administrators and other school employees. We are actively discussing these challenges with the governor so they can be resolved in a timely manner.
Many teachers are doing outstanding work to ensure our children continue to learn during this time away from the classroom. Many school employees are helping provide meals to students. I am committed to taking care of the people who are taking care of Michigan’s children.
Please know that there is no immediate risk of schools not receiving their state funding for failing to meet the instructional days required by law, meaning employee pay should not be at risk either. Payments to hourly employees do depend on each school’s collective bargaining agreement, however, so hourly employees should reference their school’s collective bargaining agreement or contact school administrators for further clarification.
I am also monitoring the impact of this crisis on the school calendar. As we begin to get a clearer picture of how long schools will be closed, we will work with the governor and school officials to determine what the school calendar should look like. I am committed to finding a solution that is in the best interest of students and staff.
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During this public health crisis, if you can stay home you should. Limiting interaction with other people will help slow the spread of COVID-19.
We are all adapting to new social norms and I understand it can be challenging and frustrating. We all have our roles to play in this fight and the more we listen and use common sense practices, the more successful we will be in protecting our vulnerable loved ones from this disease.
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Unemployment Insurance Agency
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A fact sheet for claiming unemployment benefits can be found here.
Guidelines for unemployment benefits were temporarily expanded to cover the following:
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Workers who have an unanticipated family care responsibility, including those who have childcare responsibilities due to school closures, or those who are forced to care for loved ones who become ill;
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Workers who are sick, quarantined, or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid family and medical leave or are laid off; and
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First responders in the public health community who become ill or are quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19.
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Michigan Small Business Relief Program
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The Michigan Strategic Fund recently approved a critical new program called the Michigan Small Business Relief Program, which will provide up to $10 million in grant funding and $10 million in low-interest loans to provide emergency relief to businesses directly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak beginning April 1.
Additional support can be found at michiganbusiness.org/COVID19 or by calling 888.522.0103. You can also visit Michigan.gov/coronavirus to sign up for regular COVID-19 updates and to stay informed on the latest efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus on our state’s residents and economy. There is also a resource on the page specific to employers and workers that businesses and employees may find helpful.
A news release about the Michigan Small Business Relief Program is available here. More detailed information on this grant and loan program can be found on our COVID-19 webpage at www.michiganbusiness.org/covid19.
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Most importantly, we should all thank our healthcare workers, store clerks, truck drivers and everyone else continuing to help out during this public health crisis! We must all continue working together to get through this difficult time.
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State government resources
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Michigan's 31st Senate District
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The 31th state Senate District includes all of Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties.
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Senator Kevin Daley
5200 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: 517-373-1777
FAX: 517-373-5871
E-Mail: [email protected]
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| Visit my website at: SenatorKevinDaley.com
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Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 31st District E-news. You may sign up for it at my website.
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