MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Michigan is on the right path after the state hit another vaccination milestone on Thursday by administering over 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Whitmer released the following statement:

“As of today, over 2 million doses of the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Michigan, keeping us on track to reach our goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders 16 and up,” Whitmer said. “My administration will continue working closely with the Biden administration to help us ramp up our supply so we can return to the normalcy we all crave as soon as possible.”

She thanked the “tireless” frontline health care workers who work around the clock to administer the vaccines so people can get back to work and students can return to in-person learning.

“I also want to call on the Michigan Legislature to pass the MI COVID Recovery Plan, which allocates federal funds to boost our vaccination efforts and expand testing and lab capacity,” Whitmer said. “Ending this pandemic requires us to utilize every resource we have, and every day we do not pass this plan we are leaving billions on the table. This is an incredible milestone, but we still have a lot of work to do. Let’s get to it.”

Businesses receive grants

To help winterize workplaces and temporarily expand operations to meet COVID-19 distancing requirements, 331 Michigan small businesses were awarded grants by the Small Business Association of Michigan through a program created and funded by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

“Offering outdoor opportunities for business during the colder months has been a lifeline for small businesses this year as they work to survive during the pandemic,” SBAM President Brian Calley said in a statement. “These grants are helping small businesses offset the costs of creative outdoor options that increase capacity as they work to operate safely. SBAM is proud to have worked with LEO on this important program.”

Qualified businesses were awarded between $1,000 and $10,000 to fund weatherized, temporary outdoor facilities. The grants were part of COVID-19 federal funding identified by LEO to assist businesses with winterization efforts.

“Michigan small businesses have done their part to safely keep our economy running during this pandemic,” LEO acting Director Susan Corbin said in a statement. “We know these times have been tough and are proud to continue working with SBAM to provide resources to help small businesses weather the storm, and in this case, take on winter operations they never would have considered before.”

Businesses and nonprofits that received the funding included: restaurants and bars; breweries, wineries and tasting rooms; cafes; concession stands; banquet centers; catering companies; gyms; ski resorts; dance/gymnastic studios; boating clubs; golf courses; funeral homes; theater companies; museums; downtown development districts; food banks; nature centers; cider mills; retail stores and shops; and commercial real estate companies.

Dave’s Pine & Dine Restaurant in Engadine, part of the Upper Peninsula Prosperity Alliance, was a grant recipient.

Its “success story” was listed on the SBAM website at sbam.org: “We are accomplishing keeping our doors open longer, keeping our staff on payroll and continuing to service our community with a safer dining experience during the pandemic. We are the only restaurant in town, so it is imperative that we keep our doors open and continue providing food service.

“Our mission through this grant is to shield our customers from infectious airborne particles and keeping our community safe while reducing the spread.”

Grant funds will reimburse small businesses for constructing temporary structures such as canopies and igloos or the purchase of portable heaters, outdoor furniture and tableware, cooking equipment, and other related safety and security upgrades needed to increase outdoor capacity for carryout and delivery services.

All reimbursement funds must be used to support weatherization of outdoor capacity expansions that were completed between Aug. 1 and Dec. 30.

Applications for grant funding were submitted in November, and were awarded to eligible businesses on a first-come, first-serve basis with a focus on awarding at least 10 grants in each of Michigan’s prosperity regions.

Help offered for gambling problems

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will host the 13th annual Problem Gambling Symposium virtually on March 4-5.

Because of stress caused by the almost year-long COVID-19 pandemic, residents may be at an increased risk of developing behaviors that could lead to or exacerbate a problem gambling disorder, the MDHHS said. As residents seek out ways to connect with others during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of social distancing may leave many with idle time, frustrations and anxiety.

“As residents seek out alternate ways to connect with each other and manage the stress of the pandemic, we are keenly aware of the increased risk for a problem gambling disorder to develop,” said Alia Lucas, Gambling Disorder Program manager with MDHHS, in a statement. “This year, more than ever, we encourage all residents — health care providers, parents, family and friends concerned about a loved ones’ health — to tune into the symposium to learn about the signs and steps they can take to help someone struggling with a gambling disorder.”

There is no fee to attend the virtual symposium. However, registration is required, and attendee registration ends at 5 p.m. today. Registration can be made at https://cmham.org/events/?EventId=5827.

The symposium will address how the pandemic has changed the face of gambling, the impact made by gambling disorders within the youth and veteran communities, the implications of sports betting and online gambling, and responsible gambling.

While social gambling isn’t a problem for most, for some, it provides a sense of control and escape which, over time, can affect other areas of life. For youth, this risk is especially concerning with the rise of online gaming and virtual connection during the COVID-19 pandemic, the MDHHS said.

It also noted the rate of problem gambling among high school students is twice that of adults, and someone gambling by age 12 will be four times more likely to develop a gambling addiction. It also said military veterans have been shown to have an increase in gambling disorders once returning from active service.

Anyone who suspects they or someone they know might be struggling with a gambling disorder, can call the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline, 800-270-7117, which is open for crisis intervention and referral to treatment. Trained and experienced counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide immediate help to address issues related to a gambling disorder, including screening services and referrals to treatment or support groups.

Free testing today

The Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department will conduct free COVID-19 testing at its Luce County Office from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. today. Individuals do not have to be residents of Luce County to participate.

Minors can be tested if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Masks and distancing are required at the walk-in event.

The Luce office is located at 14150 Hamilton Lake Road, Newberry.

EMS needs funding

The Michigan Association of Ambulance Services and the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs on Thursday called on Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature to properly fund EMS services, which they say haven’t seen a true funding increase in more than 20 years.

It said inadequate state funding has pushed EMS “to the brink” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The funding issues that EMS is facing aren’t new, but COVID-19 exposed the major flaws in the system and now it’s time to right this wrong,” said Jack Fisher, MAAS president and executive director of Medic 1 Ambulance in downstate Berrien County, in a statement. “This severe underfunding, combined with additional pandemic-related costs we have incurred, have pushed EMS to the brink. The answer is proper funding and we are asking our state leaders to prioritize EMS in the state budget.”

To support EMS in Michigan, MAAS and MAFC are calling for a $10 million increase in state funding to bolster Medicaid reimbursement rates for EMS services. This increase, it said, is essential as:

≤ EMS base rates currently only average $178 per life-support transport, which doesn’t come close to covering the ambulances’ costs; and

≤ The last rate increase paid by the state occurred in 2000 and EMS payments have been reduced twice since then.

“Michigan’s life support agencies are expected to respond to all medical emergencies, but aren’t being adequately reimbursed for their expenses,” said MAFC President Jeff Roberts, chief of the Wixom Fire Department, in a statement. “Our first responders have been on the front lines saving lives and putting their own health at risk during this pandemic. All we ask in return is the chance for proper funding so that we can continue to deliver high quality service to those in need in our communities.”

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.