Michigan Covid-19 Update for 4/30/2020

Although the number of deaths and hospitalizations are slowing in Michigan, there is ample evidence that we are still facing an uphill battle in controlling the spread of the virus.

The recommendations for people especially vulnerable to the worst effects of the disease, including death, still apply. That includes people who are aging or have underlying disabilities or conditions that make the virus life-threatening (including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy). 

The solution for this population is to self-isolate and avoid contact with others who could be spreading the virus. My sons, who live in a group home with four other residents who are medically fragile, have not left their home for about 6 weeks. There is no end in sight until there is adequate testing that makes it possible to assess who they can safely associate with. We can learn, however, how to deal with this in innovative ways, but the risk is too great at the moment to let the virus rampage through the general population, increasing everyone’s probability of contracting the virus.

Here is a timeline of events from the Detroit Free Press, to remind us of how quickly the virus spread:

Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency on March 10, 2020, after confirming the state’s first two cases of Covid-19. As of April 29, 2020, we have had 40,399 confirmed cases in Michigan. 3,670 corona virus-related deaths have been reported since March 18, 2020.

As reported in the Detroit Free Press on 4/30/20, the state had 103 more corona virus deaths and 1,137 more confirmed cases statewide over one day, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services data.

[For more information, see the state’s Covid-19 Website that includes reports from long-term care facilities (so far I have not seen any data for group homes), testing results, and a breakdown of data by county.  See also the Michigan Medicine Website from the University of Michigan.]

Michigan’s State of Emergency
 
The Michigan legislature has challenged Governor Whitmer’s use of emergency powers, first to declare an emergency and then to extend stay-at-home orders without the express approval of state legislators. A Detroit Free Press article, “Michigan's governor and emergency powers: What you need to know” by Paul Egan, 4/30/20, explains the issues involved:
 
“Whitmer, who holds most of the power in a state emergency, wants to extend it by at least 28 days, and said last week that it should remain in effect even beyond that.
 
“The state of emergency should not be confused with the stay-at-home order, which currently runs through May 15 and could be further relaxed by then.
 
“States of emergency are not uncommon in Michigan. Stay-at-home orders are extremely rare.”

What is the dispute about? For the state of emergency to continue, doesn't the Legislature have to vote to extend it?

“Michigan has two different emergency laws that say two different things about the role of the Legislature.
 
“The Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945 gives the governor additional emergency powers, sets no time limit on how long an emergency declared by the governor can last, and sets out no role for the Legislature in approving or extending a state of emergency.
 
“The Emergency Management Act of 1976 provides the governor with even broader emergency powers. But it says for a state of emergency to continue beyond 28 days, approval of the Legislature is required.”

Why doesn’t the more recent 1976 Act apply?

“…the Emergency Management Act, says, in part: 'This act shall not be construed to ... limit, modify or abridge the authority of the governor to proclaim a state of emergency  under the 1945 law, The Emergency Powers of Governor Act.'"
 
Whitmer is seeking to work in unison with the legislature. One reason is that the Emergency Management Act has more detail than the Emergency Powers of Governor Act,
 
“…one detail Whitmer says she wants to keep.
 
“It sets out immunity from civil liability for first responders and medical professionals for actions they take in response to the emergency.”
 
The issue of the Governor’s powers could end up in court.

In the meantime, hunker down and isolate as necessary.

Don't drink the Lysol and don't drink the Kool-Aid!