From homemade candy chutes to slipping treats across a clean table, health officials urge creativity in keeping trick-or-treat safe.
Michigan Health Watch
In-depth reporting on the intersection between public policy and important health topics ‒ such as insurance coverage, hospital admissions, opioid abuse, access to care, medical research and the business of health care ‒ that impact nearly every Michigan resident.
1 in 3 U.S. parents will skip kids’ flu shots, but Michigan has early gains
Despite pleas from health experts to guard against flu before a COVID resurgence, some parents aren’t comfortable taking children to the doctor. But so far in Michigan, there’s a 30 percent rise in flu shots.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula getting hit hard by surge of coronavirus cases
After months of relatively few cases, the Upper Peninsula has seen coronavirus case counts soar, with most in the western part of the region along the border with Wisconsin.
Surviving COVID, but with life changed, and the future less certain
After being hospitalized with the coronavirus, many “long-hauler” patients return home with a host of serious symptoms, from brain fog to tremors and unrelenting fatigue. Longer-term complications such as dementia or organ problems are still being studied.
Michigan health officials seek to increase flu vaccines by 1M amid pandemic
Health officials worry about a ‘twindemic’ of the flu and COVID-19, and some are getting creative about distributing vaccines as many workplaces remain closed.
Michigan infant, whose death was tied to COVID, had serious health troubles
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive, had said the boy died “because of COVID-19.” But a medical examiner’s report lists a birth defect as the cause of death, with respiratory problems caused by COVID as a complicating factor.
Grand Valley State students ordered to stay home to tamp down COVID-19 upswing
COVID is spreading at Grand Valley through off-campus gatherings and students who become infected aren’t saying who they’ve been hanging out with, health officials said.
In tense hearing, Whitmer official defends MI COVID nursing home strategy
Republican legislators accused Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration of failing to adequately prepare for the pandemic. “20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing,” countered state health director Robert Gordon.
Outdoor visits now ‘expected’ at Michigan nursing homes, state says
Michigan health officials announced that nursing homes may find ways to allow loved ones to meet with residents under certain conditions. The state also may soon approve a provision that allows family members to volunteer in homes.
Xavier DeGroat will not be stopped. Michigan autism activist goes to D.C.
DeGroat’s bulldog persistence has yielded bipartisan legislation in Lansing and a network of powerful backers.