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Whitmer raises vaccination goal

UM-Flint nursing student Michaela Dimello helps administer the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Genesee County residents on Monday at Bishop Airport in Flint. (AP photo)

MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday raised Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccination goal from 50,000 to 100,000 shots per day. The new goal is based on the state’s successful efforts to expand equitable and efficient vaccine administration by partnering with private and public organizations in communities across the state, and is made possible by continuous week-over-week increases in the number of vaccines allocated to the state of Michigan.

For 38 days as of Wednesday, the state has met or exceeded its original goal of administering 50,000 vaccinations per day. Michigan has administered 4,207,102 vaccines to date, moving the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible.

“Michigan is making great strides as our rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines continues ramping up,” Whitmer said in a statement. “The safe, effective vaccines are one of the best ways to protect you and your family from coronavirus, and they are essential to getting our country back to normal so we can hug our families, get back to work, send our kids to school, and get together again. These new, higher vaccine targets are a testament to what we can do together, and we need to meet them so we can keep rebuilding our economy.

“Thanks to capable leadership at the national level, heroic efforts by frontline workers who are working around the clock, and the dedication of millions of Michiganders, we will put this pandemic behind us. I urge everyone to continue doing their part with masks, social distancing and hand washing, and when you are eligible, get your vaccine.”

In next week’s shipment, the Biden administration will increase the state’s direct allocation by 66,020 doses for a total of 620,040 vaccines, a weekly record high for Michigan. This allocation includes 147,800 doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In addition to the state’s direct allocation, the governor also commends the millions of additional doses being sent to federally partnered retail pharmacies across the country, including numerous locations in Michigan.

“The state is working hand in hand with health care systems, local health departments, federally qualified health centers, primary care providers and others to get Michiganders vaccinated with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, in a statement. “Providers have administered more than 4 million doses in just four months and we praise and appreciate their willingness to serve their communities, and are confident they will meet and exceed the new 100,000 shots-per-day goal.”

The Associated Press reported that Michigan is facing a third surge in cases, having the nation’s second-highest infection rate over the past two weeks. Rates in the thumb region’s counties — Huron, St. Clair and Sanilac — ranked fourth-, fifth- and eighth-highest in the U.S.

Whitmer reacts to dose increase

Whitmer on Tuesday released a statement after the White House announced that a substantial increase in doses of the COVID-19 vaccine would be made available to Michigan starting next week. This action follows recent requests Whitmer made to the Biden administration for more vaccines and will further help to mitigate the recent rise in cases.

“I’m so grateful to have a partner in the White House that has our backs here in Michigan,” Whitmer said. “We know that the COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective at preventing COVID-19. These additional doses of the safe, effective vaccines will help us slow the spread of the virus, return to normalcy and continue building our economy back better. As we work closely with our state’s leading health experts to monitor COVID-19 trends, I’m asking Michiganders to double down on smart precautions.

“The pandemic is not yet behind us, but we’ve learned a tremendous amount about how to protect ourselves and our loved ones. We are moving forward with plans to ramp up testing for schools, businesses, nursing homes, and we recently surpassed 4 million doses of the vaccine in under four months.”

However, she stressed that until the state “equitably” vaccinates enough Michiganders 16 and up, everyone has to do their part.

“Wear a mask, wash your hands, socially distance and as soon as you are eligible, get the vaccine,” Whitmer said. “There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we’re still in it. The only way out is forward and together. Let’s get it done.”

Help for job seekers announced

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity released a request for competitive proposals to fund customized training programs through the Michigan Learning and Education Advancement Program for job seekers across the state who have been economically impacted by COVID-19.

More than $16 million is available to fund grant awards to groups who will work as regional consortia to support individuals who are dislocated, underemployed, serving as essential workers, living in distressed rural and urban communities, or economically disadvantaged.

MiLEAP funds will allow recipients to assist Michigan job seekers make the leap from education and training to employment by delivering short- and mid-term customized training solutions.

LEO anticipates funding a minimum of eight awardees with a maximum of $2 million each for a three-year program. Grant recipients will perform work from July through June 2023.

“Along with Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect, MiLEAP is an innovative approach to providing education and training opportunities to support Michiganders,” said LEO acting director Susan Corbin in a statement. “By offering training that is customized to the individual, MiLEAP will enable participants to take the next step on their pathway to financial security.”

MiLEAP funds will help job seekers in transitioning from education and training programs to high-skill, high-wage career pathways, resulting in industry-recognized credential attainment and reduced educational debt.

“We recognized there were many challenges in developing a program that could offer customized solutions statewide — but that’s exactly what is needed, and that’s exactly what we created,” said LEO’s Office of Employment and Training Director Stephanie Beckhorn in a statement. “By bringing together Michigan’s work force and postsecondary education systems, MiLEAP allows partners throughout the state to effectively serve job seekers looking to earn credentials, gain skills to employment, return to work and advance in a career pathway.”

Additionally, grant funds will support the creation of MiLEAP navigators who will provide job seekers direct assistance in assessing and overcoming barriers, identifying resources and providing guidance and support. MiLEAP participants will receive individualized competency-based assessments and learning plans that include skills assessments, remote learning opportunities, high school and industry credential attainment, and contextual learning opportunities.

Funding for MiLEAP was provided through a Reimagine Workforce Preparation Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

MiLEAP aligns with Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal to increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree to 60% by 2030.

Request for proposals submissions are due by May 7 and awardees will be notified by May 28. A pre-submission informational webinar was set for April 7 to provide an overview of the process for potential applicants. Pre-registration is required to attend the informational webinar.

More information about MiLEAP and the informational webinar is available at Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.

Beware of ‘smishing’

Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning Michigan residents to look out for text message scams, known as “smishing” — a form of criminal activity attempting to obtain personal or financial information.

In a consumer alert that was reissued on Wednesday, Nessel provides tips on how Michiganders can spot and stop smishing attempts.

While smishing is used for several different types of scams, most recently criminals have used this format to send bogus COVID-19 vaccine surveys, the attorney general’s office reported. It said that according to the Federal Trade Commission, people across the country have reported getting texts out of the blue, asking them to complete a limited-time survey about the vaccine.

In exchange, people are offered a free reward and then informed they must pay a shipping fee, which requires bank account or credit card information.

“Scammers are continuing to prey on our fears and concerns surrounding the ongoing pandemic,” Nessel said in a news release. “As a result, they are attempting to use the vaccine rollout to bamboozle people out of their personal information.

“Do not fall for these tactics. Never click on any unsolicited links or attachments that you may receive via text, and if offered a prize or reward, never enter your credit card, bank account information or any other personally identifiable information to collect it.”

They also are asked to report smishing texts to 7726 (SPAM) for investigation and filter unwanted text messages through their wireless provider or with a call-blocking app.

Consumer complaints can be filed online at the attorney general’s website or by calling 877-765-8388.

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