A digest of press releases, updates and debunked rumors concerning the progress of prevention and treatment for COVID-19. Complete versions of many of these releases are available at mininggazette.com. For current and up-to-date information regarding the Coronavirus visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Tuesday

– Rumors of Amazon discontinuing delivery of some products are untrue. According to Business Insider, Amazon told sellers and vendors that it would accept only shipments of “household staples, medical supplies, and other high-demand products” to its warehouse until April 5 to deal with the high demand of those products amid the coronavirus crisis. It doesn’t affect last-mile shipments to consumers.

– Governor Gretchen Whitmer formally requested the U.S. Small Business Administration to issue an Economic Injury Disaster declaration for the state.

– The Michigan Department of Corrections was notified that two of its employees have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). One is an employee at the Jackson County Probation Office, who had a recent history of international travel. The second is an employee at the Detroit Detention Center, who does not have a history of domestic or international travel. The department will provide further information as it becomes available.

– Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-13, to temporarily lift regulatory requirements on hospitals and care facilities and help ensure an adequate number of health care providers available to patients during the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Executive Order 2020-13 grants LARA and DHHS authority to waive or defer certain requirements in order to expedite the process of bringing additional care facilities online during the COVID-19 emergency. The order also empowers LARA to ensure an adequate supply of care providers during the emergency by granting the department additional flexibility in its decisions about licensing, registration, and workflow requirements. 

– The Michigan Department of Attorney General sent a cease and desist letter to Menards after the Attorney General’s office received 18 complaints from consumers about face masks, bleach, and other products being sold at high prices. Menards will have 10 days to respond to the letter or the Attorney General’s office will further investigate the matter and potentially take legal action. Menards and the state could also agree to an assurance of voluntary compliance.

– Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) today announced that MDHHS will close its lobbies to visits from the public, except for appointments, and will stop requiring residents to visit MDHHS offices in order to receive state assistance benefits during the COVID-19 outbreak. These changes are effective Wednesday, Mar. 18, and will remain effective only as long as necessary for public health.

Wednesday

– The Michigan Department of Natural Resources closed to general public traffic numerous customer service centers and field offices statewide. The affected DNR offices will be open for regular deliveries and by appointment only to customers who need services such as obtaining hunting and fishing licenses, burn permits and charter licenses. The Baraga DNR service center can be reached at 906-353-6651.

– The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will cancel, postpone, or adjust several public meetings and events. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Mar. 19, at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, is taking place with major adjustments. There is a statutory requirement to hold a monthly NRC meeting; however, in response to the COVID-19 situation and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Directive 2020-02, there will be no voting, presentations or any deliberations at the meeting. In addition, the Wildlife and Fisheries Policy Committee will not be meeting in March. The U.P. Wildlife Habitat Workgroup, Mar. 24, River Rock Lanes, Ishpeming; the Western U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Council, Mar. 25, Marquette Township Community Center; the Western U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Council and the Marquette County Planning Department to provide input in the revision of Marquette County’s master plan, Mar. 25, Marquette Township Community Center have been canceled. Additionally, other DNR events and programs likely will be canceled or postponed in the coming weeks. Please check Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar often for up-to-date information.

– Effective immediately, small businesses scheduled to make their monthly sales, use and withholding tax payments on March 20 can postpone filing and payment requirements until April 20. The state Treasury Department will waive all penalties and interest for 30 days.

– The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to announce that an online map has been developed for families to find locations where meals are being provided during this period of school closure. The map can be found at: https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/schoolnutrition/, and will be updated twice each day during the closure period.

– The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) today announced that beginning today at 3 p.m, it will close its lobbies to visits from the public, except for customers with appointments. These changes will remain effective as long as necessary for the health and safety of the public. UIA offices will continue to serve the public and eligible employees are encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits online at www.michigan.gov/UIA or by calling 1-866-500-0017. Details on how to apply are also available online. A fact sheet on how to apply for benefits can also be found here. Michigan Works! resources can be found at MichiganWorks.org or by calling 1-800-285-WORKS.

– Finlandia University: The Paavo Nurmi athletic building is now closed to all visitors through Mar. 30. Any necessary meetings are by appointment only. Maki Library will no longer be open to walk-in users effective Mar. 18. Library offices remain open at this time. Effective Mar. 18, the Finnish American Heritage Center will be closed to all visitors through Mar. 30. The Jutila Center remains open for tenants, but the exterior doors will be locked. Tenants can meet their visitors/clients at the main doors to escort them to their offices. Northwind Books remains open at this time. Instructional buildings remain open and necessary meetings are encouraged by appointment. The Chapel of St. Matthew, including The Table Student Needs Pantry, remains open at this time. Pastor Sarah is available via appointment at Sarah.Semmlersmith@finlandia.edu or 906-487-7239. Other administrative buildings remain open at this time. The University is suspending the scheduling of campus visits through March 30.

– Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today issued a consumer alert reminding Michigan residents to be aware of online coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) scams selling bogus products and providing false information on tests and treatments. Nessel also warns Michigan residents that misinformation about COVID-19 symptoms and treatment falsely attributed to a “Stanford Hospital board member” is being widely circulated on social media. We encourage consumers to file complaints with our office and the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection webpage is always available as a resource for consumers to turn to. Our Consumer Protection team is also available via phone at 877-765-8388– with extended hours until 11 p.m. tonight.

– If employers are financially distressed but hope to continue operations by cutting back hours, they are encouraged to use the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s Work Share program that allows employers to maintain employment levels and business operations during declines in regular business activity rather than laying off workers.  More information about the program can be found at www.michigan.gov/workshare. Due to the uncertainty regarding potential congressional action regarding whether and how furloughed workers will be able to access federal paid sick, family and medical leave resources, employers are strongly urged to place employees on  temporary leave and advise the worker that they expect to have work available within 120-days as opposed to termination. There is no additional cost to employers, employees remain eligible for UI benefits through the state, and employees may remain eligible for potential federal assistance.

– The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) will not accept cash transactions starting March 21. Until further notice, Mackinac Bridge customers will need to pay with a credit or debit card, or use a MacPass card or windshield sticker. The MBA and toll staff will be encouraging transition to non-cash payments for the next few days until cash is no longer accepted.

– Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-14, extending the deadline for Michigan residents to pay back taxes and avoid foreclosure on their property during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Executive Order 2020-14, which takes effect immediately, will move the tax foreclosure deadline from March 31, 2020, to May 29, 2020, or 30 days after the state of emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-4 is terminated, whichever comes first. 

– The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect program is now offering a free, online procurement platform to assist suppliers of critical health and human services across a broad range of categories access critical supplies and products as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The platform will make virtual introductions between vetted businesses within the state providing supplies including food, medical devices, paper products, cleaning equipment and more. 

– Currently both the Blue Water Bridge (BWB) in Port Huron and the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie remain open to essential traffic and commercial goods. Significant efforts have been made to ensure the safety of border crossings for both customers and staff. Clarification of “essential traffic” is expected to be forthcoming and will be shared with the public when it becomes available. Check with U.S. and Canadian customs for updated crossing information.

– Governor Whitmer confirmed more than 110 cases of COVID-19 and one related death in the state, with hundreds of more tests being conducted. No cases have been confirmed in the Upper Peninsula as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.

– MLive reports that the Detroit Big 3 automakers intend to close until March 30 to lower the risk of spreading coronavirus. Workers will receive supplemental pay as well as state unemployment benefits.