Out of the overwhelming safety concern for visitors and staff, as well as in following state and federal guidelines, Mackinac State Historic Parks has made the decision to delay the opening of the historic sites on Mackinac Island and in Mackinaw City.
They are now planning on the following TENTATIVE opening dates:
These Mackinac Island sites will tentatively open Friday, May 22: • Fort Mackinac • The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum • Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center • Fort Holmes Blockhouse • Mission Church • Bark Chapel • Restrooms at Arch Rock and British Landing
The Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, will open at a date to be determined, due to construction delays. The British Landing Nature Center will still open May 23, and Historic Downtown Mackinac will open June 6.
The following Mackinaw City sites are scheduled to open on Saturday, May 23: • Colonial Michilimackinac • Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse • Restrooms adjacent to the Colonial Michilimackinac Visitor’s Center and within Michilimackinac State Park
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park is now scheduled to open on Saturday, June 6.
This is an ever-changing and fluid situation, and these dates are subject to change.
Mackinac State Historic Parks looks forward to welcoming guests to Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City and celebrating it’s 125th anniversary this summer.
Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its sites—which are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums—include Fort Mackinac, the Biddle House, The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Historic Downtown Mackinac, and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park and Michilimackinac State Park in Mackinaw City. Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks’ rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations. Visitor information is available at (231) 436-4100 or on the web at www.mackinacparks.com.
Produce from Grand Valley State University’s Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) will be donated to the needy in an effort to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SAP, the university’s educational farm, is located just south of the Allendale Campus.
Youssef Darwich, farm manager and educator, said plans on where to donate the crops are still being finalized. Darwich has been maintaining the farm alone, without student help, in order to practice social distancing.
“The garden has to keep going. The food system is a really important asset and we want to get it to the people who need it,” he said. “We want to do whatever we can to give back.”
Darwich said, in about a month, radishes, beets, carrots, lettuce and green onions will be harvested.
The typical harvest season is May-October. Darwich said moving forward, he will shift to planting more hearty foods, like peppers, cucumbers, turnips, squash, tomatoes and melons.
He said farm shares may be available later in the season; share members of the garden are mostly faculty and staff members.
“Now, more than ever, we are reminded of the importance of being healthy and the foundation of health is good food,” said Darwich. “It’s an age-old saying — ‘let food be thy medicine.’ I really encourage everyone to focus on eating healthy to make you as strong as possible.”
Editor’s Note:Karoline Lehmann lives in Aalborg, Denmark, which is the country’s fourth largest city located in the northern part of Denmark. Karoline was an exchange student at Byron Center High School for the 2015-2016 school year.
Karoline Lehmann
The first reported case of COVID-19 in Denmark was made on Feb. 27. As of April 3, the country had 3,672 reported cases, 139 deaths, and 1,193 people have recovered. By invitation, Karoline wrote this piece about what she was seeing and experiencing in her country. This was written on March 31.
Twenty days ago, our prime minister closed the country down. Twenty days ago our whole world was turned upside down and our normal day-to-day life was put on hold. At first people went crazy. The pictures from the grocery stores all over the country was shocking and the exact opposite of what Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had told people to do. People were hoarding and it all looked like a bad case of Black Friday on steroids. Frederiksen told us to calm down because even though the country was closing our schools, restaurants, borders, etc. we wouldn’t be closing the grocery stores or pharmacies and we would still allow trucks with supplies and groceries to cross the border.
Luckily that helped and people slowed down. As I said before, we are now on our twentieth day of lockdown. It still isn’t a full lockdown like in Italy or France. We are still allowed to go outside in smaller groups. At the moment we are allowed to be up to 10 people at once, but we are advised not to, just as we are advised to stay around 10 feet away from people and meet outside instead of inside someone’s house.
And we are doing okay. We are still on the green graph (low end), especially in the north of Denmark, where there have not been very many cases and not a lot of people in the hospitals. It’s a different story in our capital, but still on the green graph. The reason for that is definitely because people are listening to the government. They are staying inside and aren’t going to others houses. And we are helping each other! Even though Danes have a reputation that they like to keep to themselves and mind their own business, people are really coming together and helping their neighbors with everything from grocery shopping to walking their dog or bringing cakes to their doorsteps. It’s amazing to see how we can stand together in crisis times like these.
Karoline Lehmann (center) was a student at Byron Center High School. (Supplied)
With that being said it is still a weird time for everyone. The city is almost ghost-like with no people and closed stores. Queen Margarthe II even gave a speech, which is normally only something she does on New Year’s, and no regent has done since World War II. On Instagram you see videos of fitness instructors who do classes outside big residential buildings so people can join in from their balconies and on Facebook you read appreciation posts of both our government and prime minister and our workers in all the critical jobs ranging from healthcare and social workers to truck drivers and the people working in the grocery stores.
Twenty days have gone by since we closed down due to this virus. It has been 20 days with fear, panic and uncertainty, but also 20 days where both the people in Denmark but also everywhere else in the world have shown adaptability, kindness and hope. We have survived the first 20 days, we can do 20 more, and 20 more after that, if that is what is needed of us to fight this pandemic.
An organization known for funding new business ideas through its Start Garden 100 initiative has adapted the competition to serve entrepreneurs whose businesses are critically impacted by COVID-19. The initiative, called The 100 Comeback, launched today by Start Garden with $300,000 of its own money. The intent is to provide grants to qualified entrepreneurs who can then use the money to support themselves and their families while they figure out how to make their comeback over the next 100 days.
Start Garden stresses that The 100 Comeback is not a small business relief fund. Rather it’s a grant to support the personal needs of entrepreneurs to be safe, care for their families and prepare for their comeback.
All applications must be submitted to 100.startgarden.com during a 100-hour window from Tuesday, April 7 at 8 a.m. to Friday, April 11 at noon. The website provides information for individuals, organizations and businesses wishing to learn more or financially contribute to The 100 Comeback.
“Our community, our residents and entrepreneurship itself is in crisis right now,” said Start Garden Co-Director Jorge Gonzalez. “While most federal and state relief is about a business and its employees, none address the entrepreneurs who didn’t have the time to grow their business to the point that their own families are supported for the next few months.”
New entrepreneurs often defer paying themselves in order to grow their business and they can’t lay themselves off. Almost all federal and state small business relief comes in the form of loans, and many new businesses can’t risk the additional leverage.
As the pandemic continued to make headlines and creep its way into West Michigan, Start Garden leaders huddled to discuss how to respond to the reality that the impact on the entrepreneurs will last months, with the ripple effects lasting potentially years. Their biggest initiative, currently underway, was the annual Start Garden 100, which provides $300,000 in prize money to 100 new ideas. The 2020 version of the event was recently announced and submissions were well underway.
Start Garden recently announced its competition would switch over to help those impacted by COVID-19. (Start Garden)
“It wouldn’t be right for Start Garden to award funds to new business ideas while a generation of entrepreneurs gets knocked down, not knowing if they can get back up,” said Start Garden co-director Paul Moore. “We exist to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem. To not do this would feel like we’re turning our backs on our risk-takers when they need us most.”
Start Garden officials hope the idea catches on in the business and philanthropic community and more funds can be added to the initial amount.
“West Michigan has a big heart, so we hope this idea sparks interest from those who can help out,” said Start Garden program director Laurie Supinski. “We’re making calls, but we also invite individuals and corporations to contact us.”
Current business owners who meet any of the following criteria can apply:
Have a demonstrated personal need.
Can verify their business was shut down, or severely impacted, as a result of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders.
Can verify the business has a loyal customer base.
Is located (or has a registered address) in Kent County.
Furthermore, additional allocations are available for minority- and women-owned businesses and tech companies that are connected with the Grand Rapids SmartZone.
“The funds we provide are not expected to be repaid, nor are we expecting any investment or favor from the person,” said Start Garden co-director Darel Ross II. “No entrepreneur should be worried about safety and shelter for their family, while carrying the burden to figure out how to reopen and rehire when the dust settles.”
“Although Start Garden has always been about getting new ideas and aspiring entrepreneurs off the ground, the reality is, entrepreneurship itself is going to be a disaster area if we don’t step in and support them during this difficult period,” addedSupinki. “We need local and diverse entrepreneurs to stay strong for the spirit of entrepreneurship to stay alive.”
Anyone interested in contributing or learning more about The 100 Comeback Fund can contact Laurie Supinski, program director and Belen Salas, program assistant. More contact information is available at 100ideas@startgarden.com or100.startgarden.com.
Record and upload a 100 second video that answers 3 simple questions:
What does your household need to get through the next few months? (You are not obligated to open your business right away. Instead, take the time needed to be safe, navigate this new business landscape and plan for the future.)
Share a little about your business: How long has it been open? What do you do? Who are your customers?
How has the COVID-19 shut down impacted you/your business?
Is there any minimum or maximum amount of money that an entrepreneur can be awarded?
Money is awarded on a case by case basis based on the needs of the entrepreneur; it’s not expected that each household will require the same amount to get through the next 100 days.
What is the selection criteria?
Individual need is a big factor as is the progress the company has been able to make since starting. Startups come in all shapes and sizes. To reiterate, this is not a small business relief fund. These are grants to individual entrepreneurs, so they can be safe and adapt to this changing landscape as they prepare to reopen and rehire.
Who is on the selection committee?
Start Garden is using the same process its uses for its Start Garden 100 initiative where selected entrepreneurs and entrepreneur support organizations weigh in and can factor heavily in the decisions. The final decision of funding, however, comes down to Start Garden organizers.
When will funds start to be distributed?
As soon as all the selections have been determined. Mid-April is the target date for funding distributions. All distributions will be a one-time, lump-sum amount.
Will all awardees find out at the same time if they won, or will this be a rolling process?
It’s expected that all awardees will be notified at the same time.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect program has launched a new grant program providing a total of $1 million in grants to Michigan’s small manufacturers looking to retool and produce critical health and human service supplies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The PMBC COVID-19 Emergency Access and Retooling Grants program will award grants of $10,000 to $150,000 to companies that can quickly and effectively manufacture critical health and human service supplies. Michigan small businesses (per SBA size standards) and established nonprofits are eligible to apply. Businesses can use the funds to support the purchase of equipment necessary to manufacture critical supplies, logistics and shipping costs of procuring necessary equipment, technology upgrades and other costs related to operationalizing new product lines.
To qualify, companies must submit an application at https://pmbc.connect.space/covid19/forms. Eligible applications will be reviewed based on ability to execute project; need for financial assistance; timeliness; product need in market; economic impact. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the total $1 million in grant funds are expended. To learn more about the program, visit here: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/pmbc-retooling-grants/.
While the program does not guarantee sales channels, the Pure Michigan Business Connect team will assist grantees by connecting them with demand identified through the COVID-19 Virtual Procurement and Donation Assistance portal. The portal, an effort of PMBC in collaboration with the State Emergency Operation Center, is a free, virtual procurement and donation platform that provides health and human service providers direct access to businesses within the state providing and donating supplies including personal protection equipment, food, medical devices, paper products, cleaning equipment and more.
The platform is also offering a place for companies with manufacturing capabilities for personal protection equipment to indicate which items (i.e. masks, gowns, ventilators) they are able to produce, along with quantity and timing detail. To learn more, visit here: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/virtual-procurement/.
Last week, the MEDC announced applications are now being accepted for the Michigan Small Business Relief Program, authorized by the Michigan Strategic Fund on March 19, to provide up to $20 million in grants and loans to provide economic assistance to Michigan’s small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus. The funds are being administered by 15 local and nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) around Michigan, covering all 83 counties in the state. Visit https://www.michiganbusiness.org/msbrp for more information on how to apply.
In addition, michiganbusiness.org/covid19 also features other resources for businesses across Michigan to assist them in recovering from economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 virus. This includes U.S. Small Business Administration emergency loans, support services offered through the SBDC and more. The MEDC has also developed a FAQ for Michigan businesses and communities at michiganbusiness.org/covid19-faq
The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.
We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly with COVID-19 related news. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from Wednesday, April 1 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.
Despite rumors, medical professionals are allowed to cross into U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with numerous other law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Michigan, are reporting that they are getting calls from concerned travelers that the border is shut down to medical professionals.
“These rumors that are currently circulating are false,” a state press release states. “The border remains open to all essential travel which includes medical professionals who are vital during these difficult times.”
Michigan National Guard on the job, helping FEMA in Detroit
Approximately 20 members of the Michigan National Guard assisted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with logistics support to establish a Federal Medical Station in Detroit this week.
“The Michigan National Guard stands ready to support Detroit in its fight against COVID-19,” Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said in the release.
In this series, WKTV aims to provide factual information about COVID-19 – which stands for coronavirus disease 19 – by providing information and links to authoritative experts. Click on the blue, underlined words to get to a specific article.
Pets and COVID-19 (Photo by WKTV)
Should you get your pet tested for COVID-19?
As new surfaced that two dogs and a cat have tested positive for COVID-19, many have started to ask the question of if they can get the coronavirus from their pets and if pets should/can be tested? According to the AAAS/Science article, experts, including those at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have stated that dogs and cats pose little risk to people and that there is not enough evidence that pets can spread COVID-19.
What should you do to protect your pets? According to another AAAS/Science article, include your pets in your family’s preparedness planning. If you get sick and are quarantined, make sure you have extra pet food on hand and make sure whoever will take care of the pet are aware of any feeding, walking and medications. Also keep in mind social distancing for your animal and do not pet another animal and make sure to wash your hands.
Masks or no masks? (Wikipedia Commons)
Are masks helpful in stopping the spread of COVID-19?
There has been a recent debate about whether masks would help to slowdown the spread of COVID-19. According to an AAAS/Science article, the research to wearing a mask is spotty. AAAS/Science talked to University of Michigan Epidemiologist Arnold Monto, who said that it is believed that COVID-19 is spread through larger droplets and that standard surgical face masks will have a modest effect on transmission.
Even those in favor of masks have stated on a number of news programs and science sites that due to the shortages of masks for hospital workers, they are reluctant right now to promote masking the masses. Experts do agree that social distancing and staying at home as much as possible is the best way to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Looking at human DNA (Pixaby Free)
How much do genes play a factor in COVID-19?
Sciences are currently studying whether your genes may determine how sick you get from COVID-19. According to an AAAS/Science article, sciencists are working to compare the DNA of people who have serious cases of COVID-19 but no underlying disease like diabetes, heart, or lung disease with those who have mild symptons or no disease. Researchers say it is hard to predict what may come out of these gene hunts but in the past the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases did discover a relatively common mutation in another human cell surface protein, CCR5, that makes some people highly resistant to HIV.
COVID-19 has quickly disrupted every part of our lives, including how we practice our faith. This can be especially challenging for healthcare settings as they uphold a statewide ban on visitors.
The highly contagious nature of COVID-19 requires unprecedented precautions. Metro Health –University of Michigan Health is working to preserve spiritual practices while also honoring an obligation to the lives in our care and the safety of our community.
The matters of clergy access and end-of-life sacraments have been carefully deliberated byMetro Health’s COVID-19 Incident Command team. Metro Health has allowed and continues to allow priests access to administer Viaticum for the dying.
“Metro Health has a long tradition of working with faith leaders,” said Steve Polega, Chief Nursing Officer, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “In addition to our hospital chaplain, Metro Health maintains relationships with congregations across the region,” saidPolega. “These connections are more valuable than ever in the era of COVID-19, especially as we approach a sacred time of year for people of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths.”
Metro Health continues to look for more solutions that preserve those human and spiritual connections we all treasure.
In response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s directive that Michiganders remain at home for at least three weeks to slow the spread of coronavirus, the Grand Rapids Symphony is canceling all concerts previously scheduled for mid-April and early May. Canceled concerts include:
Concerto for Orchestra, the ninth concert of the 2019-20 Richard and Helen DeVos Classical series, originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 17-18.
The Pianists, a special event with pianist Orli Shaham, on Sunday, April 19.
The final concert of the 2019-20 season, Mahler’s Resurrection, remains scheduled for performances on Friday and Saturday, May, 15-16, in DeVos Performance Hall.
“The Grand Rapids Symphony has been monitoring the global outbreak of COVID-19 and planning for a variety of contingencies as the virus has spread,” said Mary Tuuk, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony. “Our highest priority is to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of every member of the Grand Rapids Symphony family and Western Michigan community.”
Two weeks ago on March 12, the Grand Rapids Symphony canceled all scheduled performances from that date through Saturday, April 11.
Gov. Whitmore’s order, which took effect on Tuesday, March 24, closed all non-critical businesses and directed Michiganders to remain at home unless employed in critical jobs, engaged in necessary tasks such as shopping, or caring for family members or pets. All public and private gatherings of any number outside a household were banned.
Free Picnic Pops tickets available to healthcare workers
In recognition of the extraordinary sacrifices healthcare providers are making to keep us safe and healthy, the Grand Rapids Symphony is offering two free tickets per healthcare worker to a 2020 D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops concert.
The Grand Rapids Symphony closed its office on Mon. March 16, and the office will remain closed indefinitely with the staff working remotely. However, we have the ability to answer ticket inquiries and requests by phone on a limited basis and will get back to you as quickly as possible regarding your needs.
Ticket Policy for Cancelled Concerts:
We encourage you to exchange your cancelled concert tickets for upcoming concerts through May 2021. We are happy to exchange your tickets based on comparable value and availability and encourage you to mail your exchange requests as follows:
Ticket Exchange
Grand Rapids Symphony
300 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 100
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
All requests will be handled in the order received. If you would prefer to exchange your cancelled concert tickets via phone, please call 616-454-9451. You may also donate your tickets or request a refund. To purchase tickets for concerts after May 10, please purchase online at www.GRSymphony.org.
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health last week announced progressive programs that will help ease the burden of child care and financial restraints for valued staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Metro Health Hospital and Metro Health Hospital Foundation have partnered with the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids to provide free and reliable backup child care services for the children of all employees, employed medical providers and contracted staff. Metro Health will be providing these backup child care services on its campus at the SpartanNash YMCA location, and the care will be provided by qualified child care workers.
“We are proud to partner with Metro Health and do our small part to help the medicalcommunity during this challenging and unprecedented time,” said Scott Lewis, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. “We believe collaborative efforts like these make us all stronger as we lean in together in support of our community.”
The YMCA has agreed to allow Metro Health to lease space in the building and equipment for this limited purpose of providing emergency backup child care. Extreme measures have been taken to prepare and sanitize the classrooms and staff started utilizing the service on March 16.
Additionally, the Metro Health Hospital Foundation has announced a $1 million needs-based assistance fund for employees who encounter COVID-19-related hardships. Examples of a need include bill payment assistance, support for vehicle repairs to ensure transportation to work or offsetting the costs of care for family members who fall ill or need assistance.
“I want to thank and commend the Metro Health Hospital Foundation for helping to establish this program in such a short time,” said Peter Hahn, President and CEO, Metro Health –University of Michigan Health. “We understand COVID-19 has disrupted many lives and this is why we believe it is essential to support our colleagues through resources such as this needs-based fund and free child care.”
Metro Health employees are also being encouraged to donate back unused paid time off hours to support colleagues who may exhaust their hours due to illness or to care for family. Metro Health will continue efforts in the coming weeks in order to keep the Metro Health team healthy, financially stable and ready to serve the community.
Visit www.metrohealth.net for the most up to date information from the CDC and resources to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
With the first cases of COVID-19 confirmed this week in the state of Michigan, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is taking additional measures to limit the spread of respiratory illness and COVID-19. Adjustments have been made to the hospital visitor policy to take effect Friday, March 13.
To protect patients, staff members and fellow visitors, the following restrictions are being put in place at the main hospital, as well as all ambulatory clinics and the outpatient surgical center.
All visitors and family members must be healthy without symptoms of illness
Visitors are limited to one per patient.
Two visitors will be allowed for pediatric and maternity patients.
No children under the age of 12 years will be permitted unless they are a patient.
Anyone who has recently traveled to CDC Level 2 or 3 countries are not permitted to visit.
Metro Health is committed to the health and safety of our patients, staff and the West Michigan community. Please contact your Metro Health provider if you are experiencing the following COVID-19 symptoms or you have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19.
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Patients can schedule a convenient e-visit through MyChart. Our goal is to prevent the spread of illness by enabling people to remotely seek the information they need. Anyone with severe or life-threatening symptoms should call 911.
Please visit www.metrohealth.net for the most up to date information from the CDC and resources to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
