The state stands by its total of nursing home deaths, but acknowledges some other types of senior facilities haven’t reported all deaths. ‘We shouldn’t be guessing,’ one lawmaker says.
Mike Wilkinson
Mike has been a reporter for Bridge Michigan since 2013 and focuses on data-assisted reporting, often finding stories by analyzing maps and data sets and has created Bridge's dashboards on COVID-19, the state's economy and Michigan's elections. He held similar positions at The Detroit News and The Blade of Toledo. A native of Michigan, Mike grew up in Macomb County, graduated from the University of Michigan and started his reporting career in New Baltimore before his career took him to Illinois, Tennessee and Ohio. You can reach him at mwilkinson@bridgemi.com
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan COVID restrictions ease as June 1 arrives
The state’s bars and restaurants will be allowed to stay open later and serve more customers regardless of size. The relaxed rules come as Michigan also surpasses 60 percent of residents getting their first vaccine dose.
Posted inMichigan Government
Records: COVID-19 nursing home deaths may have been undercounted in Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s nursing home policies have been under scrutiny for months. Now, a review shows more may have died in the facilities than initially known.
Posted inMichigan Government
Can $1 million prizes or free cars jumpstart Michigan COVID vaccine rates?
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer contends the state cannot create a vaccine lottery. Ohio and other states are rolling the dice on such incentives, ranging from cash to cars to college educations.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Questions, answers about Michigan’s changing COVID restrictions
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement on Thursday clears the way for full capacity at baseball games and some concerts and a total reopening of Michigan on July 1. Here’s what you need to know.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: All COVID restrictions to end in Michigan on July 1
One week after new CDC guidance, the governor says she will end restrictions on outdoor events on June 1 and end remaining rules in time for Independence Day holiday.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer poised to further ease Michigan COVID restrictions
The governor appears to be jettisoning a plan that required up to 70 percent of residents to get vaccines for additional pandemic restrictions to be lifted. CDC mask guidelines and improving numbers have changed the calculus.
Posted inBusiness Watch
As masks lift, Whitmer faces pressure to speed easing of COVID limits
If current vaccination rates continue, Michigan wouldn’t fully reopen for months under the governor’s current plan, endangering the summer tourist season. To business leaders, that’s untenable now that the mask mandate has ended for the vaccinated.
Posted inMichigan Government
Records: Shadow nonprofit paid for Whitmer’s Florida flight amid controversy
Within the past two weeks, a nonprofit set up for Gretchen Whitmer’s inauguration footed the bill for the $27,000 flight to Florida amid the pandemic. The disclosure is unlikely to quell the issue.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan mask rule change: Many questions. Some answers. What to know.
For now anyway, many stores are still going to require masks, as are courts. But changes could be coming quickly after Michigan changed rules ending mask requirements for the fully vaccinated.
