MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan University’s “Plan A” for the upcoming winter semester is to provide as much in-person learning as possible, along with on-campus living for students, according to a Tuesday email from President Fritz Erickson.

Erickson also outlined Northern’s “Plan B” in case the university is forced to go to fully remote instruction because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NMU will hold a required mass-testing event in advance of the semester for students and employees, just as it did in the fall. Faculty, staff and local students will be tested Jan. 4-8. Non-local students will be tested Jan. 11-15. The timing should allow most employees to have their results back prior to when NMU reopens campus facilities to the public and many offices switch from remote to in-person on Jan. 11.

The university is creating a way for individuals who want or need to use an external testing site to be able to upload their COVID-19 test results for approval. Only PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, tests taken within an appropriate time period will be accepted.

NMU will give $25 in CatCash that can be used at any campus eatery toward external tests, which should be covered by most individual’s insurance.

NMU will continue to perform surveillance testing during the winter 2021 semester, but tentatively plans to double the number of individuals tested and to separate testing for residence hall students from off-campus students and employees. The university will also create a COVID-19 hotline to better handle questions  not answered on the Safe on Campus website or unique to the callers’ situations.

“Everyone — students, faculty and staff — do need to be prepared to have the start of the semester be remote as that may be what the state orders us to do, might be the result of slow COVID-19 test result returns as it was in the fall,  or might be what the local  COVID-19 situation  calls for from a safety standpoint,” Erickson wrote. “We don’t plan to start remotely, but I think we all realize after the fall experiences how important it is to be ready to switch to remote at any point in the semester.”

Erickson said Plan B, if the university is forced to go fully remote for winter 2021, includes keeping the residence halls and dining services operational unless mandated by the state not to do so. NMU would close most of its facilities to the public and have as much work done and student services offered  as remotely as possible.

NMU is in regular contact with the Marquette County Health Department, UP Health System-Marquette hospital officials and state of Michigan officials as it monitors the changing situation.

“Northern has also begun its vaccination planning,” Erickson said. “We anticipate being able to hold events for distributing the COVID-19 vaccine similar to our mass testing events. We may also be able to help facilitate and participate in county-wide distribution events.

“However, little is known at this time about when and how the vaccines will be distributed to higher education institutions. We assume there will be guidance from the CDC, state and MCHD, and we’ve begun a preliminary plan that follows the recommendations that have been made available by these groups so far.”

Winter semester classes begin Jan. 19.

Local restaurant lending aid

A local restaurant is asking for the community’s help in aiding displaced service industry workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jessica Hanley, general manager of Jeffrey’s Family Restaurant, located at 300 S. McClellan Ave., Marquette, said that over the next week, the eatery is collecting donations for this purpose. Donations can include non-perishable food, unwrapped gifts for children and gift cards.

“We will even accept monetary donations that we will use to purchase more items,” the restaurant’s Facebook post reads. “Then starting the following week we will be allowing people from the service industry to come in, no questions asked, with an appointment and to take what they need.”

Jeffrey’s will still accept donations at this point as well.

“We want to help make sure that everyone in our area has enough to eat, and possibly gifts to give their children as well,” the post reads. “Christmas should be a time of joy and love, not fear and uncertainty, and we would like to make sure that is the case.”

People are asked to drop off their items at Jeffrey’s between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day. “And if you are in need, don’t be ashamed,” the post reads. “This is an unprecedented time for everyone; we want to make sure you are taken care of. Send us a message on Facebook, or call us to set up a time to come in. Also, if you have a specific need, such as gifts for children, you can message us their age as well. We can’t promise that we will get something for them, but we will make every effort to do so.”

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Monday extended by 12 days the epidemic order restricting indoor social gatherings and other group activities.

The additional time will allow the department to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan, according to the State Emergency Operations Center.

Under Monday’s order, MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings, and only two households may gather inside,  with strict protocols recommended. Individuals should wear masks consistently whenever they are inside with individuals not in their household, and are recommended to  pick only a small group to see regularly. Bars and restaurants must remain closed for dine-in service, but can remain open for outdoor dining, carry-out and delivery.

Nurses group gives statement

The Michigan Nurses Association, the largest organization representing Michigan’s registered nurses, has expressed support for the extension of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ three-week “pause” of certain indoor activities by 12 days due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The following statement was issued by Jamie Brown, a critical care nurse who is president of the Michigan Nurses Association.

“Nurses support these temporary pandemic limitations because saving lives must come first,” Brown said. “Nurses are exhausted and our hospital systems are on the brink of being overwhelmed. We desperately need the public to realize that COVID-19 remains a deadly, unpredictable disease that strikes all ages — and to take appropriate steps to keep themselves and others safe.

“That means wearing your mask, avoiding indoor gatherings and washing your hands. We appreciate the governor’s leadership and urge everyone to follow these rules to protect themselves, their families and their communities.”

Flags ordered to half-staff

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff for 10 days — representing  one  day per 1,000 deaths — immediately through Dec. 18 to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus. 

Right now, more than one out of every 1,000 Michiganders has lost their lives to this virus, according to Whitmer, who issued the order on Tuesday.     

Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.   

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.   

Flags should be returned to full-staff on Dec. 19.   

Help available for uninsured

The number of Michiganders enrolling in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan is on the rise during the 2020 open enrollment period ahead of the Tuesday deadline, but there are still thousands who are uninsured and may be eligible for low- or no-cost coverage, according to Whitmer’s office.

This includes those who have lost their employer-provided health insurance this year and may need to shop for health coverage for the first time. 

“No Michigander should have to worry about how to access quality, affordable health care, especially during a pandemic,” Whitmer said in a statement. “In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan saw an estimated 46% increase in the number of uninsured adults, and there are still thousands of people who need coverage. That’s why it’s crucial for all of those who need to get covered to enroll now, ahead of the Dec. 15 deadline. My administration will continue working around the clock to ensure Michiganders have the care they need.” 

Except in certain circumstances, open enrollment is the only time during which consumers can purchase new coverage for 2021 or make changes to their existing  plans. With just one week until  the open enrollment deadline, 79,006 consumers have already signed up for Marketplace coverage, compared to 77,305 during the same time period last year.

Since 2017, Michigan has experienced sizeable drops in Marketplace participation compared to the preceding year, most recently seeing a 4.1% decrease in 2019 compared to 2018. The current 2.2% increase marks an encouraging trend in the face the nation’s current public health crisis. 

In addition to helping consumers shop for health coverage, the Marketplace also helps consumers find out if they qualify for low- or no-cost plans, making coverage more affordable. For the current plan year, approximately 80% of Michiganders who got coverage through the Marketplace received federal tax subsidies to lower their premiums. The Marketplace can also help connect consumers with free, qualified local assisters to help them make informed coverage decisions.   

To determine eligibility and to review their options, visit www.healthcare.gov. Depending on income and their situation, consumers may qualify for cost-sharing reductions, premium tax credits, coverage for their children or Medicaid. For help getting started, consumers should contact DIFS toll free at 877-999-6442 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday or visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance. 

Scam alert issued

In coordination with the MDHHS,  Attorney General Dana  Nessel  on Monday issued an urgent consumer alert to Michigan residents warning them of COVID-19-related scams. 

“Scammers are lurking under every rock and behind every corner waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting people,” Nessel said in a news release. “It is my job as Michigan’s Attorney General to make sure our residents know what to watch out for so they don’t fall for the clever scams and ploys these bad actors come up with.” 

Nessel’s  consumer  alert is an urgent reminder to avoid false claims, products and services that promise to cure,  treat  or prevent COVID-19. Vaccines, treatments, test kits and clinical trials are all examples of what scammers may be offering.     

“We are working with our state, federal and local partners in preparing for distribution of the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health, in a news release. “However, Michigan residents should keep in mind that a vaccine has not yet been approved, so they should be extremely wary of anyone who offers them a vaccine now.”

Khaldun stressed that when the COVID-19 vaccine does become available it will be in limited quantities, and people should look to trusted resources for information such as their local health department or their doctor. She said MDHHS will share this information widely and will provide regularly updated information  at www.michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine. 

The Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Food and Drug Administration have all issued similar warnings. Nessel reminded people that no vaccine has been approved for distribution by the FDA yet.