One week after Gov. Whitmer tied lifting remaining restrictions to the benchmark, new modeling shows the state is months away from the milestone — which could amp up pressure to change paths quicker.
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
History, algebra … and Pfizer? Michigan high schools host vaccine clinics
Vaccinating Michigan teens and young adults will be key to lifting pandemic limits and reaching herd immunity. Health officials are scrambling to make COVID vaccines available to high school students, who are getting shots at far lower rates.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
CDC reminder: COVID vaccine take 2 weeks to fully kick in after last dose
The study, released after the CDC relaxed new guidelines for vaccinated people, is a reminder for Michiganders that your immunity against the virus isn’t fully realized until at least two weeks after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer links easing COVID rules to vaccines
Whitmer, who has faced criticism from Republicans and business groups for not linking COVID restrictions to identified metrics, changed that approach. Her new plan offers economic and social incentives for residents to get vaccinated.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Detroit offers $50 a shot to people who bring residents for COVID vaccines
There’s no limit to how often ‘good neighbors’ can be paid to bring in Detroiters for vaccines. Mayor Mike Duggan said the payments are worth it to boost the city’s woeful vaccination rates.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
CDC: Michiganders vaccinated against COVID can ease outdoor mask use
Michiganders can feel safer gathering in small groups, traveling, and skipping quarantine with some exceptions, under new federal guidance issued Tuesday. Michigan appears poised to soon ease state mask rules.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Report: Detroit Medical Center stays true to mission, but worries remain
DMC was sold to an out-of-town, for-profit business in 2010, with a promise that it would continue its mission as a safety net hospital. The current owner promises to keep that vow.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
As Michigan tamps down COVID, three new virus variants appear
More people are getting vaccines and hospitalizations and deaths are dropping, but scientists are keeping a close eye on new coronavirus variants detected in Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
FDA ends pause on J & J vaccine for COVID, but with warning to women
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is cleared for use after a temporary pause following rare cases of blood clot issues in women. But some experts fear the public may be hesitant to take it.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
As Michigan COVID vaccine rates ebb, pop up clinics and casino cash appear
Michigan health authorities are getting creative to get more people vaccinated in a race to achieve herd immunity. That requires transition to the more difficult work of promoting vaccines in some unexpected places.