Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that hope is on the horizon with the recently approved Pfizer vaccine that was distributed to two Michigan hospitals yesterday, during a press conference this afternoon. Also, COVID-19 numbers are down in Michigan, she reported.
“The good news is happening in Portage, Michigan,” Whitmer said during the roughly hour-long press conference. “There is hope on the horizon. We have a safe, effective vaccine getting distributed to our most vulnerable population. The [Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’] MDHHS “Pause to Save Lives” is working. So this is good news but we can’t take our eye off the ball now. It is going to take some time for the vaccine to be widely distributed.”
Michigan is still under a 12-day extension of an initial, partial statewide shutdown [a three-week pause], which is expected to end on Sunday, December 20. State officials did not confirm if the extension would be lifted.
From COVID-19 cases beginning to decrease to the Moderna vaccine coming online soon “the good news” is that the state is making progress, Whitmer said.
“It is working,” Whitmer said, adding that today she spoke with the Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel. “We are excited about the prospect of that vaccine also coming online.”
Whitmer reminded people that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services [MDHHS] the extension of the “Pause to Save Lives” campaign is to:
- Prevent hospitals from overwhelming
- Protect those serving on the front lines
- Protect our small businesses
Whitmer said that Michiganders are “doing their part” by mask-wearing, social distancing, washing hands, and limiting indoor gatherings where COVID-19 thrives.
Whitmer said that the state Legislature needs to pass a $100 million COVID relief plan; approve a permanent extension of unemployment benefits, and make masks mandatory until a majority of Michiganders receive the vaccine.
“I’m ready to sign a bill [and it is] so crucial for the legislature to find common ground and pass a targeted economic stimulus plan to provide direct financial support to … those hit the hardest,” she said, also encouraging residents to shop small. “Support your favorite local businesses in every way you can this season … let’s do our part and have a really smart holiday.”
Chief Medical Executive and MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said she’s cautiously optimistic as the state’s positivity rates have declined from 14% to 12.3% over the past seven days.
“We can’t forget our case rates remain alarmingly high. Positive tests are still four-times as high from September,” Khaldun said Tuesday. “The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is 95% effective and it works. It will take several months to be an end to this pandemic.”
Khaldun said the state is now at 437,985 total cases and 10,752 deaths due to COVID-19 in Michigan, however, the state is “seeing positive trends in the data.”
Khaldun said she’s “cautiously optimistic” with the state’s positivity rates, which have declined from 14% to 12.3% over the past seven days due to no post-Thanksgiving surge.
“That means many Michiganders did their part,” she said, adding, however, that the percentage of positive tests is still higher than in September.
Khaldun also discussed a COVID-19 dashboard available at michigan.gov/covidvaccine for residents to find the latest information on vaccines in Michigan for now.
She added that after receiving the vaccine people will still need to wear their masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands because there is “more research to be done” to see if people who have the virus can spread it to others.
“The arrival of vaccines is so important; it means 2021 will be a better year,” Khaldun said. “The end of the pandemic is coming.”
Attorney General Dana Nessel also provided an update on COVID-19 in Michigan. She said that the Consumer Protection Division at the Department of the Attorney General has been hyper-vigilant throughout this pandemic and “bad actors” used this health crisis to take advantage of consumer’s fears.
Nessel said that early in the pandemic her office was made aware of retailers attempting to sell fake COVID-19 testing kits and COVID-19 protection patches. And others have attempted to claim their products and services will treat or cure COVID-19 including the promotion of pills and herbal teas to personal testimonials about one vaccine being better than another.
She also warns people to not provide sketchy businesses personal information, via an electronic device, which could lead to malware. Also, she said, do not pay for any COVID-19 related vaccines.
“Call your doctor or the Dept of Attorney General can help you verify if legitimate,” Nessel said.
For more information visit the Attorney General’s office here https://www.michigan.gov/ag/.