8 Things To Know As Michigan Announces Extension Of 'Pause To Save Lives'

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday (December 7) that the epidemic order that limited indoor gatherings would extend 12 additional days.

It will run through December 20.

Whitmer held a press conference Monday afternoon with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun.

Here are some of the takeaways from the press conference:

Cases remain ‘alarmingly high’

“While there are some signs that things may be improving,” Khaldun said, cases are “still alarmingly high.”

COVID-19 cases are still several times higher than they were in the beginning of September.

“We need to take this seriously and (do what we can) to prevent” the virus spreading, Khaldun said.

Vaccines are on the way - here’s where to find reliable information

Two vaccines are moving through the FDA approval process and could become available as early as this month.

When Michigan begins to receive doses of the vaccine, it will become available to caregivers and frontline workers first, followed by the vulnerable population and eventually the general public, Khaldun said. She urged adults to make plans to get the vaccine once it becomes available to them.

She also added later that “we will likely be well into the second half of 2021 before we really start seeing a significant impact” of the vaccines.

“I encourage everyone to know the facts about vaccines,” Khaldun said, pointing people to www.michigan.gov/covidvaccine for more information.

“Overall, I am very hopeful,” she said. “We have the tools we need to fight this pandemic…2021 will be the year when Michigan beats back this pandemic, and we just have to stay the course.”

What metrics are health officials watching for?

Gordon explained that some metrics that officials are watching for include the percent of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, the number of cases and percent positivity.

“We will be reviewing these data and we will be transparent with the public about exactly what we are seeing,” Gordon said. “One thing we’ve learned is that progress against Covid is hard to earn and easy to lose…(We) need to reopen cautiously.”

As metrics improve, high schools will reopen next, Gordon said. That's followed theaters, casinos, stadiums and other venues, without concessions.

Gordon said Michigan “will eagerly reopen” if progress continues.

Governor stressed importance of limiting indoor gatherings, including in restaurants

“It’s imperative that we protect one another by doing the things we know to do…so that we can return to a strong economy and normal day-to-day activities,” Whitmer said.

She went on to explain that activities in which people sit indoors without masks for extended periods of time — including in restaurants — is “simply how COVID-19 transmits from one person to another.”

There’s “overwhelming research and scientific data,” Whitmer said. “It’s not anyone’s fault. It’s not the restaurant’s fault, it’s not my fault… this is how COVID-19 spreads. It’s just that simple. It’s the science of the virus.”

Whitmer said she continues to work with the legislature to help citizens and small businesses hit by the pandemic, including an aim to extend unemployment benefits.

Whitmer included additional information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers from Northwestern and Stanford and Jeonbuk National University Medical School in a Facebook post Monday afternoon.

Hospital capacity is surging

Whitmer said nearly 80% of hospital beds are occupied.

When COVID-19 surged in the spring, some areas tracked more cases than others. That meant that if one hospital became overwhelmed, another could accept transferred patients or send personnel to help combat staffing issues.

Now, that’s not the case, Whitmer said. Hospitals are filling up across the board, and frontline workers — including doctors and nurses — are also getting sick.

Although Khaldun said the hospitalization surge has slowed, she stressed the importance of hospitals being able to care for Covid patients and non-Covid patients.

Whitmer condemned recent threats against state officials

Recent threats against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, State Rep. Cynthia A. Johnson and House Speaker Lee Chatfield are “unacceptable.”

“Hate and violence have no place in Michigan,” Whitmer said. “The people spoke and it’s time to put the election behind us…Let’s rise to this challenge and do it together protecting one another.”

Whitmer dubbed recent hearings in Michigan ‘reckless’

Rudy Giuliani, who tested positive for COVID-19, recently traveled to Michigan and other states to attend hearings with state lawmakers and others.

“That hearing last week was reckless,” Whitmer said. “It didn’t change a thing and yet it brought all these people into a room…(for a) potential super-spreader event.”

Khaldun based on “very clear CDC guidelines,” anyone who was at the hearing — particularly, those who came within six feet of Giuliani — should quarantine until December 12, 10 days after the hearing.

Do not gather for Christmas, officials urge

Although some wondered whether the “pause” would extend past December 20 because of the upcoming holidays, Whitmer said she urges the public not to gather regardless of COVID-19 data in the next 12 days.

“No matter what we show in the next 12 days, I am discouraging people from gathering for Christmas,” Whitmer said Monday. “It doesn’t mean we cancel Christmas… (It means we) celebrate in a responsible way…In order to make sure that next year’s celebration can be like last year’s, this year’s has to be smart.”

Photo: Getty Images