After weeks of pressure, Michigan releases racial data that confirms worst fears about equity: 8 percent of white residents are vaccinated, compared to 4 percent for Black residents.
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 Health Watch
COVID rates plunge in Michigan nursing homes following vaccinations
Michigan’s decision to inoculate seniors first appears to have worked. That provides optimism that wider access to the vaccine could get the pandemic under control.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Help on way in Michigan, as 4M COVID vaccines expected by April, Congress told
Executives from three pharmaceutical companies told Congress on Tuesday that they are boosting production and could double distribution of vaccines in the next five weeks.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Frustrations mount as COVID vaccine more available in some parts of Michigan
Supplies can vary widely in neighboring counties because Michigan is using a complicated formula for distributing vaccines. That’s left some seniors frustrated, but Michigan officials say help is on the way.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Tensions mount as 3 Michigan school districts hesitate to open classrooms
Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and Lansing have yet to decide whether to reopen to in-person classes, despite declining COVID-19 cases and the urging of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that schools find ways to safely reopen.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Despite disparities, Michigan is not gathering race data on COVID vaccines
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vowed to combat racial disparities as the pandemic tore through Michigan last year. A member of her COVID task force calls the state’s failure to collect racial data “almost criminal.” State officials say they’re working on it.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan teachers got COVID vaccines early, students now stand to benefit
Nearly two-thirds of Michigan teachers have received at least the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine or are set to get it, according to a survey by the state’s largest teachers union, spurring more districts to make plans to reopen.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Michigan lawmakers jump to head of COVID vaccine line, as seniors scramble
Oakland County, Detroit and other communities classify elected officials as frontline workers,’ sparking a debate over equity as thousands of seniors still can’t get innoculated.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan isn’t sure who’s getting the COVID vaccine. That’s a big problem
An absence of data has hindered efforts to vaccinate the state, as officials have no idea about the racial breakdown of recipients, making it harder to address equity gaps and fix problems with distribution.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Facts are stubborn things for Whitmer, Michigan GOP when it comes to COVID
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the state is No. 6 in vaccines. Republicans say Michigan is locked down. Neither is quite true, but both sides are finding the best data to suit their arguments.