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Protections extended for frontline workers: Calls for federal funding of Michigan National Guard renewed

MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two executive orders on Friday to allow for the continued protection of frontline workers in grocery stores, pharmacies and long-term care facilities.

Executive Order 2020-178 renews protections for both staff and residents by requiring health and safety precautions such as testing, cleaning and disinfecting, using personal protective equipment, and social distancing.

Under the order, grocery stores and pharmacies must offer accommodations to vulnerable employees, such as low-risk assignments or a leave of absence.

It also includes provisions stating if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, the business must notify other employees without infringing on private health information.

“Michigan has worked hard to fight COVID-19, but the fight is not over yet. We can’t let our guard down and must continue to step up to do our part to slow the spread of the virus and save lives. Frontline workers in our hospitals, grocery stores, nursing homes and more have put their own lives on the line to protect our families,” Whitmer said in a Saturday news release. “By extending these orders, we can protect our frontline heroes and most vulnerable populations from this virus and ensure they are able to work and live in a safe environment.”

Under Executive Order 2020-178, stores will continue to be required to provide two hours per week of reserved shopping time for vulnerable populations through Sept. 30.

Executive Order 2020-179, which “maintains the strong infection control protocols in nursing homes the governor put in place at the outset of this crisis,” will also continue through Sept. 30, the release states.

The order protects residents from eviction and employees from retaliatory action for staying home when exhibiting symptoms.

The Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force issued several recommendations recently, which the governor is reviewing, the release states. She can implement changes once the review is complete.

Whitmer renews calls for federal funding of

National Guard

Saturday marked one month since Whitmer requested a phone call with President Donald Trump to “discuss the imposed state cost share for use of the Michigan National Guard for COVID-19 response,” a press release from Whitmer’s office states.

According to the release, Title 32 authority — which is a state-level National Guard activation funded by the federal government after approval from the president — has been granted to Michigan since March 30 at full federal expense. On Aug. 3 and 7, Trump issued six memoranda which extended Title 32 authority for 49 states and territories, the release states.

The memoranda imposed a 25% state cost-share for most states but maintained full federal funding for Florida, Texas, Arizona, Connecticut and California.

Whitmer has “repeatedly reached out to President Trump to urge him to provide full federal funding for the Michigan National Guard through December 31, 2020, including sending the president a letter on Aug. 12,” the release states.

“COVID-19 is still a very real threat to our state, and we need full federal funding for the Michigan National Guard in order to continue protecting our families and frontline heroes,” Whitmer said in the release. “Our Guard members have been vital to our COVID-19 response by testing thousands of people in communities across the state during the height of the pandemic, and will be crucial to our recovery efforts moving forward. The president should not be playing partisan games while people’s lives are on the line. It’s irresponsible and irrational to fully fund National Guard activities in some states but not others. We need the president to step up and do the right thing for Michigan families, our frontline workers, and our economy. I once again implore President Trump to fully fund the Michigan National Guard under Title 32 so our Guardsmen and women can continue to protect us from this deadly virus.”

The Michigan congressional delegation has voiced bipartisan support for 100% federal funding for the Michigan National Guard.

On Aug. 10, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, led a letter signed by 13 of Michigan’s 14 representatives to Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Pete Gaynor urging the administration to provide full federal funding for the Michigan National Guard COVID-19 response. U.S. senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters have also called on the president to restore full federal funding under Title 32 authority, according to the release.

The Michigan National Guard has performed widespread testing and screening in local communities, Michigan Department of Corrections facilities and nursing homes throughout the state, the release states. The Guard has also distributed personal protective equipment, assisted at food banks and supported public safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.

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