MARQUETTE — The Negaunee Public Library announced the next step in its reopening plans, which have been approved by the library’s advisory board and Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron.

The library had taken various steps to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been very cautious throughout the past year, and with vaccination rates increasing and case rates dropping significantly, we are ready to move forward in gradually welcoming the community back into the library,” said Jessica Holman, library director, in a news release.

The next phase of reopening the library took effect Monday and includes computer appointments. Visitors must wear masks inside Negaunee City Hall and the Negaunee Public Library’s spaces. City Hall also requires all staff and visitors to sign in and take a temperature check with a touchless thermometer. No one with a fever of 100 degrees or higher will be allowed to enter.

“This is very similar to the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum’s current policies,” Holman said. “It is out of an abundance of caution and care for all our visitors that we have these requirements. We don’t know who is vaccinated, who cannot be vaccinated, who has an underlying health condition that needs to be extra careful. Many people who visit the library have small children who cannot mask or be vaccinated. We don’t want to be the source of someone’s illness that could be prevented.”

Computers will be available for 30-minute appointments, with the option for an additional half-hour extension if other computers are available. Scheduling an appointment in advance is recommended. Walk-in appointments may be available, if computers are available. No more than three patrons will be allowed in the computer area at a time.

Printing is available in black and white for 10 cents a page. If a patron wants to print off items but doesn’t wish to enter the library or cannot wear a mask, wireless printing is available. Patrons can connect their wireless device, such as a laptop computer, tablet or smartphone, to the library’s Wi-Fi, then print via the free app “HP Smart” to the library’s wireless printer. Color prints, available on Wi-Fi printing only, are 50 cents per page.

The library continues to offer curbside pickup for all library items, interlibrary loans and summer reading kits, as well as copying and faxing services. Patrons may call the library at 906-475-7700 ext. 18 or email npl@uproc.lib.mi.us to reserve a pickup time and check out library items. Tax forms and free bookmarks can be provided.

To help kick off the library reopening, musician Troy Graham will hold a concert at 5:30 p.m. June 28 on the library’s lawn. The concert will be offered via livestream on Facebook if the weather is unfavorable.

Anyone not feeling well is urged to not visit the library.

For more information, contact the library at 906-475-7700 ext. 18.

Vaccine offered at farmers market

The Marquette County Health Department will offer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market at the Commons from 5 to 7 tonight.

This vaccine is a one-shot series and is recommended for people age 18 and older. No appointment is necessary.

For details or to schedule an appointment at the MCHD, call 906-475-7844 or visit www.mqthealth.org. Individuals also may visit the Facebook pages of the MCHD Emergency Preparedness and the MCHD Clinic Services.

Order for agricultural workers updated

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced on Tuesday that it has updated its order for COVID-19 testing for agricultural employees to align with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to exempt fully vaccinated individuals from routine screening testing.

“We are updating this order to align with CDC guidance on testing of fully vaccinated individuals,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director in a statement. “Fully vaccinated, asymptomatic individuals will now be exempt from most testing requirements. We encourage everyone to join the 60% of Michiganders who have already been vaccinated with one of the three safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible.”

Michigan’s migrant and agricultural workforce is a “critical link” in the state’s food supply chain, so their health and safety are always “top of mind as we move through the final phases of the pandemic,” said Gary McDowell, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in a statement.

“Protecting workers while keeping Michigan moving is a very difficult task, and we are thankful for MDHHS’ hard work and careful consideration when modifying screening and testing requirements for food workers and migrant labor housing providers,” McDowell said.

Under the order, housing operators must:

≤ provide testing for any housing resident exhibiting the principal symptoms of COVID-19 or has suspected exposure to COVID-19, regardless of that individual’s vaccination status;

≤ provide testing for all newly arriving residents within 48 hours after arrival unless the resident is fully vaccinated and is not exhibiting the principal symptoms of COVID-19 or has already been tested in the previous 72 hours;

≤ to the greatest extent possible, house newly arriving residents in a separate living unit from current residents for the number of days as directed by the CDC, currently 14 days after arrival, unless they are fully vaccinated; and

≤ provide a second test to newly arriving residents 10 to 14 days after arrival unless they are fully vaccinated.

If housing in a separate living unit cannot be accomplished, newly arriving residents, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a face mask at all times during the first 14 days after arrival, or the number of days as directed by the CDC if different, including in dwelling units and after work hours, except when eating, drinking or performing personal hygiene activities or if the resident cannot medically tolerate a face mask.

Employers of migrant or seasonal workers and agricultural operations with over 20 employees on site at a time must provide testing for any worker exhibiting the principal symptoms of COVID-19 or who has suspected exposure to COVID-19, regardless of that individual’s vaccination status. They also must provide testing for all new workers prior to beginning work unless they are fully vaccinated and not exhibiting the principal symptoms of COVID-19.

Employers and housing operators have several options for completing testing, including contracting with a medical provider, occupational health provider, laboratory or other vendor. Employers and housing operators facing challenges arranging testing may submit a request for testing assistance to MDHHS as a COVID tests/support request.

Following a positive test of a worker, employers must take all precautions in accordance with relevant guidance from the CDC to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

State credit rating improves

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced that the state of Michigan’s improving economy and multi-billion-dollar revenue surplus coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted Fitch Ratings to improve the state’s general obligation bonds AA credit rating from a “stable outlook” to a “positive outlook.”

The state of Michigan recently announced new revenue projections taking the state from a nearly $3 billion deficit to a $3.5 billion surplus. The move, according to the governor’s office, is an affirmation the state is headed in the right direction, saving taxpayers money by lower borrowing costs for upcoming bond issues.

“This rating is a sign of confidence in Michigan’s hardworking people, close-knit communities, and innovative small businesses,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Our early, decisive efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic are paying dividends as we emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever, poised for an economic jumpstart.

“With billions in federal stimulus and a $3.5 billion state budget surplus, we must continue our forward momentum and channel it into raising wages, invest in small businesses and uplift families. “

In its announcement, which formally rated $603 million of limited obligation revenue bonds to be issued through the Michigan Strategic Fund in support of the Flint Water Advocacy Fund, Fitch noted the state of Michigan’s work in achieving balanced budgets and the expectation that the state’s improved fiscal and budgetary resilience will be sustained.

In addition, Fitch believes the state is well positioned to benefit from a return to economic growth following the deep recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to offering $603 million of limited obligation revenue bonds, Fitch and Moody’s Investor Services reviewed the state’s economy, finances and other factors to determine a credit rating, the governor’s office said.

Due to the bonds being an appropriation credit of the state, the rating agencies rate the Michigan Strategic Fund bonds one notch below the credit ratings of the state of Michigan. The bonds are rated AA- by Fitch and Aa2 by Moody’s.

The money from this bond sale will be used to make a loan to the Flint Water Advocacy Fund to transfer $600 million to the Flint Water Crisis Qualified Settlement Fund in accordance with a settlement agreement entered between the state of Michigan and plaintiffs concerning state defendants’ legal liabilities related to the Flint water crisis.

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