As cases recede, COVID-19 has slipped from the everyday calculations of many in Michigan. But there are important developments to keep in mind.
Robin Erb
Robin Erb covers a range of health issues in Michigan, including the industry of aging and the issues facing older residents in Michigan, a state that is aging faster than most others. She joined Bridge in 2019 and has led investigations that tracked millions of dollars in opioid settlement money and explored severe worker shortages in health care that threaten lives and the state's economy. She chronicled the shock and grief of Michigan families in COVID’s wake, as well as state policy decisions and the triumphs of medical breakthroughs. Robin previously spent six years covering health at the Detroit Free Press, documenting the battle over, and the eventual passage of, the Affordable Care Act and Michigan's Medicaid expansion. She studied communications and political science at Miami University and has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Lourdes University (Toledo, Ohio). She and her husband raised two wonderful children — but have failed miserably at training their Beagle-Bassets — in southeast Michigan. Reach her at rerb@bridgemi.com.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
COVID vaccine for Michigan children 5 and younger a step closer to reality
While trial data concluded the drug was safe, it fell short of the robust protection offered in the first adult shots, before omicron hit.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
New guidance: Most in Michigan can ditch their masks for now
The change marks a shift in masking recommendations, placing counties in a three-tiered risk system.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
One little girl’s death and Michigan’s falling childhood vaccination rates
In Michigan, childhood vaccine rates have fallen through the pandemic, and they weren’t great even before COVID. Tens of thousands of toddlers are not fully vaccinated, opening the door for possible outbreaks of life-threatening diseases.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Ivermectin hovers over COVID ‘Right-to-Try' law passed by Michigan House
Supporters say it will allow doctors to prescribe not-yet-approved drugs for dying COVID patients. Critics say it’s not needed, and is an effort to bully doctors into dispensing an unproven drug touted by conservatives.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Northern Michigan health director quits, cites anger over mask mandates
After months of conflict in six counties over COVID school mask mandates, “my health is suffering” Lisa Peacock said.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
One Michigan mom rejoices, another worries as school mask mandates lift
This is the story of two moms, and two Michigans — one eager for a maskless return to a post-COVID normal, the other still wondering if it is still just too soon.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
University of Michigan team links ‘rogue’ antibodies to COVID blood clots
The research is early, but it may prove crucial in finding future treatment for potentially deadly COVID complications.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Gretchen Whitmer drops mask suggestion, Michigan getting ‘back to normal’
With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations falling, Michigan health officials have drafted new mask guidelines which no longer recommend masking in many public indoor settings, including schools.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne signal lift of COVID school mask mandates
The decisions follow similar actions in counties across Michigan and the nation to drop mask mandates as omicron recedes.