Two years after a global scramble to manufacture masks, options abound — some legit and some not. We know that N95-type masks are best and cloth masks are worst. Here’s how to choose.
Coronavirus Michigan
Posted inTalent & Education
At U.P. school, many students felt fine, but 1-in-6 tested COVID positive
The more school officials tested, the more COVID cases they found among mostly asymptomatic students at Norwood Elementary in the western Upper Peninsula, underscoring the challenges schools face keeping kids in class amid omicron.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Unvaxxed should be at back of line at crowded Michigan hospitals
I don’t want to arrive and be told that there is no room for me and won’t be for hours, days, or even weeks—and I don’t want that to happen to you.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
As omicron rages, rural Michigan shrugs shoulders and resists vaccine
Inside the effort to change people’s minds in Cass County, which has the lowest vaccination rate in Michigan. ‘People just don’t want to deal with COVID.’
Posted inTalent & Education
For Michigan parents, a hellscape of nasal swabs, missed work and fury
Remember the monotony of 9-to-5 worklife? Doesn’t seem so bad compared to the daily disruption of omicron, with changing school schedules, child quarantines and cross-city trips for test kits.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan defies expectations, bringing in $1.7B more revenue than expected
The state offers a rosy forecast, despite the pandemic. But warning signs approach, including inflation.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Report: More than 8,000 COVID deaths in Michigan were in long-term care
The report from the Michigan Auditor General places the death toll in long-term care higher than the state’s official count, but notes that some of those may be at facilities not required to report.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan to end most contact tracing as COVID overwhelms effort
The state will stop trying to contact everybody infected or exposed to COVID — something it has not been able to effectively do for some time. It will now focus on schools, nursing homes, prisons and other congregate settings.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan unemployment fraud now at $8.5B. Legislators have more questions.
The pace of fraud has slowed, officials were told on Thursday. However, it remains unclear to what extent the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has fixed its problems or identified which cases amounted to crimes.
Posted inBusiness Watch
High Court blocks COVID vaccine mandate for business, allows in healthcare
The U.S. Supreme Court said the Biden order overreached in covering every large business, regardless of risk. Healthcare workers are a different matter, the court decided.