6 Things To Know From Gov. Whitmer's Latest COVID-19 Update

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered another COVID-19 update Thursday afternoon (December 3), continuing to urge the public to take precautions to avoid exposure.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Chief Medical Executive Joneigh Khaldun also delivered remarks.

“We must continue to work together to protect each other,” Whitmer said. “We don’t need an epidemic order to know what the right thing to do is, we just need to do it.”

Here are a few takeaways from Thursday’s update:

The state Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities shared data

Gilchrist serves as the chair of the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities.

The lieutenant governor explained that at the start of the pandemic, Black Michiganders died of the virus at a rate five times greater than that of white citizens.

Khaldun later explained that disparities stem from exposure rather than skin color, including cases of essential workers or those who don’t have cars.

That rate has dwindled since spring, falling from about 40% of deaths in March and April to 5.7% by September and October, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday.

"We took action and we decided to focus and make addressing racial disparities a critical piece of our overall state response," Gilchrist told the Free Press. "And because we focused on it, we made significant progress."

“Since the beginning of this global pandemic, the coronavirus has really shined a light on the health, economic and educational challenges that Black communities, and frankly most communities of color, face on a daily basis,” Gilchrist said during the press conference. “When we observed these deadly trends presenting themselves due to COVID, we did not wait. We took immediate action. Our state chose not to wait. Black Michiganders could not afford for us to wait.”

Gilchrist, who said he knew 24 people to die of the virus, also encouraged the public to get flu vaccinations if they haven’t already.

Khaldun: Cases are still ‘alarmingly high’

Although cases are slowing, “case rates remain alarmingly high,” Khaldun said, noting that on Wednesday (December 2), the state had logged 373,197 cases and 9,405 deaths.

Khaldun also noted that many hospitals are still nearing capacity, and officials are working to track possible outbreaks, including from long-term care facilities, schools, restaurants and other places where people gather.

Michigan officials are taking new CDC quarantine recommendations into account

New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information shows that rather than quarantining for 14 days after an exposure to COVID-19, it’s possible to shorten the quarantine period to 10 days.

Khaldun explained that 99% of cases will become infectious within 10 days. Local and state public health officials will now have the option to allow Michiganders who have not developed symptoms within 10 days to be released from quarantine.

Though, people should “still remain vigilant.” If symptoms develop, people should arrange to get a test, Khaldun said.

Although the CDC has also offered a 7-day quarantine option in some circumstances, Michigan health officials are still communicating with local health departments to work on logistics and getting test results in an appropriate manner, Khaldun explained.

A new partnership aims to help Michigan’s older population adapt to virtual alternatives

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with Get Set Up to create learning opportunities for the state’s older adults, Khaldun said.

That means that 150 online classes will be available to help older adults learn how to use smart phone, how to use video conferencing, how to arrange grocery deliveries and how to schedule Telehealth appointments, among other useful skills to minimize exposure during the pandemic. More information is at getsetup.io/michigan.

“We are really exited about this partnership,” Khaldun said.

Vaccines could become available to some sooner rather than later

Khaldun said officials expect a vaccine could be available in Michigan as early as December 15.

She encouraged Michiganders to be “thinking about their plans for getting vaccine,” and stressed that it will not be promoted in Michigan unless it’s proven to be effective.

“(The) process for vaccine being approved is solid,” she said, adding that “this month is already very promising,” with a slowing case rate and vaccines “very soon.”

“Let’s all think about how we can be proactive in our lives to fight this pandemic,” Khaldun said. “This pandemic will end.”

Could Michigan extend the “pause,” set to expire December 8?

Restrictions in place via Michigan’s “pause to save lives” order, remaining in effect through December 8, include banning indoor dining, closing group fitness classes, urging employees to work remotely when possible and more.

But some have wondered whether the epidemic order could extend past the approaching end date.

“Of course, we are looking at the data every single day,” Whitmer said. “We also know that there’s concerning amount of activity that happened around Thanksgiving (which could also happen around Christmas)...potentially spreading events, sadly.”

Although there hasn’t been a decision yet, Whitmer said an extension to the current pause is “sadly possible.”

“We are continuing to pursue ways to help businesses that are a part of this pause,” she added, noting, for example, that ordering takeout or purchasing gift certificates could help local restaurants.

Keeping an eye on the data, Whitmer added later that officials are also “encouraging people not to travel for Christmas.”

Photo: Getty Images