With coronavirus cases rising, Michigan’s governor toughened state face mask requirements. Starting Monday, expect to be refused entry to stores and restaurants if you’re not covered. Customers face fines, stores face closure for ignoring.
Ron French
Ron reports on a variety of subjects across the state. Ron came to Bridge in 2011 from The Detroit News, where he was a project reporter. Born and raised in Indiana, Ron graduated from Purdue University. He reported for newspapers across Indiana before moving to Michigan in 1995. Ron lives in Okemos, and like the true Michigander he’s become, he now has a family cabin Up North. You can reach him at rfrench@bridgemi.com or 517-214-3636.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer: Michigan school reopening threatened by rising coronavirus cases
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer warned Michigan families Thursday: If you want kids back in school in September, wear face masks today. She also hinted at stronger enforcement actions in the coming days.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Huge drop in Michigan vaccinations scares experts during coronavirus
Michigan vaccinations in May were down 46 percent, raising health concerns about the flu and other illnesses. More troubling: rates for children 9 to 18 were down 66 percent, casting doubt on whether they will be allowed to enroll in school in the fall.
Posted inTalent & Education
Nessel sues DeVos to stop coronavirus funding to Michigan private schools
Michigan’s attorney general joined AGs in several states in suing U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos over CARES Act dollars going to private schools. A DeVos spokesperson said the funding is intended for all students.
Posted inTalent & Education
Here’s why Michigan won’t require social distancing in schools this fall
Desks won’t be six feet apart at your child’s elementary school in September, even if that’s the rule in restaurants. School officials say bringing students back full time would make social distancing nearly impossible.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan calls on schools to have masks but no social distancing in class
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s school reopening plan has one surprising takeaway: Schools can choose whether or not to bring all students back to class at the same time, with no state requirement that forces schools to run classes in shifts.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan parents: School coronavirus measures great, but don’t stop sports
Most parents want schools to reopen in September, according to a University of Michigan poll.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan moves to pause standardized tests amid coronavirus
With an ongoing pandemic and Depression-level unemployment, the state superintendent, a bipartisan group of legislators and leading superintendents want to take a year break from the M-STEP in 2020-21.
Posted inTalent & Education
GOP: Use $1.3 billion in fed money to bail out Michigan schools amid COVID
Michigan Republicans propose shipping the majority of the state’s remaining CARES Act funds to schools, and requiring schools to offer in-person education for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Posted inTalent & Education
Students return to University of Michigan in fall. Football? Ask us later.
Students will return to campus in Ann Arbor, and at least some classes will be held in-person. But expect more online courses, fewer seats in dining halls, and a lot of face masks. Football? Ask later.