What States Can Do Now
Best. TV. Ever. The governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, goes on the air, state wide, on every channel, with the top three TV anchors in the state, for a full uncut hour of answering questions about the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order as well as the state's response, and needs, to the crisis. That is available on YouTube, uncut, from NBC News under "Michigan Gov. Whitmer Holds Coronavirus Townhall"
My takeaways and suggestions:
1. That everyone sign up to help on the new state web site:
Help is needed in southeast Michigan, especially in the hospitals of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties -- and there is a call to all, in Michigan or not, to come help. To sign up, a brand new state web page has been set up so that ANYONE can volunteer, but in this case, ESPECIALLY anyone with any medical experience OR experience in hospitals ( Go to Michigan.gov / fightcovid19 )
2. That the the State of Michigan lottery should be temporarily suspended for two reasons: #1 people are getting close to each other when buying tickets, which is spreading the corona-virus and #2 it is taking money out of people's pockets that they will soon need for food and essentials for themselves and those dependent upon them. Keep in mind THE CHECK IS NOT IN THE MAIL... for those expecting that $1,200 check, the government just said yesterday that to print enough checks for everyone, it might take until SEPTEMBER to print the last check!
3. That the Governor make clear to everyone that this is literally a "pause" in all payments at least until both the State and Federal national emergency is passed, namely, that NO ACTION will be taken on anyone who does not pay rents, mortgages, car payments, personal loans, credit card bills, taxes, water bills, other utility bills, etc. That the state police and all other law enforcement will be directed to NOT evict anyone due to a lack of payment, that water will NOT be shut off (and in fact if it has been shut off, it will be turned back ON, same with electricity), etc. Everyone except for essential workers should be staying home and only paying for food and food for those who depend upon them
4. That the schools WILL resume BUT not in the school buildings. I suspect there is some confusion about this. And, that Michigan work with all of the internet service providers (via satellite, copper, fixed wireless, coaxial, fiber optic, and phone) will be called upon (or ordered) to hook up every possible household. AND, that all state and local public buildings that have internet will become open WiFi hot spots. And, that school districts are directed to ensure that every student has both internet access at their home, and a device to access the Internet (ex. Chromebook, iPad, laptop, tablet) and that districts with unused devices will provide those to other districts in need (There is a lot more schools can do beyond this, but we'll detail that in another message.)
5. That everyone, statewide, is encouraged to sign up for SNAP, WIC, free/reduced lunch, etc. and that the state will make this more available for everyone who is eligible. That the state will allow all schools, who are already providing pickup meals for the free/reduced students; will allow them to prepare additional meals which can be purchased for cost for anyone in need AND that volunteers and neighbors can pick up said meals to deliver to those unable to make it to the schools
6. That blood donations are needed now via the American Red Cross, and that other blood banks in Michigan, such as "Michigan Blood" (now Versiti) should be ordered to provide at least half of their blood in storage to the Red Cross for distribution to places in need in Michigan and elsewhere; and that all state and local buildings are now at the disposal to the Red Cross for setting up blood donations
7. That everyone and every business who has medical personal protective equipment PPE such as surgical masks, N95 masks, medical gloves, etc; who is not using that for a current need, is asked to donate them to the state for distribution and that every secretary of state office will be a collection point, and that volunteers are encouraged to have a collection point in their community (like the back of someone's open minivan) and that will be taken straight to the secretary of state office
8. That churches and all other non-profits in the state are being called upon to discuss ways that they can help their members, their community, and the state with all of the above, and other needs as they become apparent
9. That everyone should be wearing masks when out in public and near anyone else (I would say, anytime less than 10 feet from anyone else); and these could be home made, bandannas, scarves, balaclavas, including home-made items of such
10. That people should attempt to buy food as close to home as possible to minimize travel. For example, go to the local grocery store, dollar store, gas station, or restaurant rather than driving into the big city to the big box store
11. That all term limits in Michigan are going to be an issue and should be eliminated (not just changed), because a bunch of experienced legislators will suddenly be unable to serve, and they are exactly the ones that have been in this debate, and have the most understanding of the situation
12. That, following social distancing rules (and again, 10 feet is better than 6 feet), check on neighbors and ask them what they need and how you can help; and via phone and internet, do the same with family, friends, and especially those who live alone
13. That the State will ask the federal government to provide addition funding directly to the state to administer all of the above, including the shortfall due to the closure of the lottery
14. That in order to provide the financial means for the State of Michigan that the state will form a "Bank of the State of Michigan" which will be able to use the physical assets of the states (buildings, state lands, roads, bridges, etc) and to monetized these in order to create the credit necessary to fund this herculean effort of winning against the virus while keeping everyone safe at home (as much as possible). This is already in place in North Dakota (in fact, that is the only place that has this, but there are former Michigan legislators and staff who are familiar with this, as it was looked into about 10 years ago)
15. That everyone be encouraged to start a permaculture victory garden to help provide additional fresh food for their families and neighbors, and that the MSU extension and Master gardeners are called to provide day-by-day plans and online help to ensure that all who can grow even a small amount of food have the support they need
Clearly, it will take a team effort to address all of these needs, and it may require deliberation and decision making at many levels, including legislative action, and in some cases, action by the people via improvements to the Michigan constitution, but this is a state emergency, national emergency, world emergency, and haste is needed... as in, weekends are not a reason to stop working on these efforts, it is all hands on deck time for the State of Michigan
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202004031152 Aaron Wayne Wissner
My takeaways and suggestions:
1. That everyone sign up to help on the new state web site:
Help is needed in southeast Michigan, especially in the hospitals of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties -- and there is a call to all, in Michigan or not, to come help. To sign up, a brand new state web page has been set up so that ANYONE can volunteer, but in this case, ESPECIALLY anyone with any medical experience OR experience in hospitals ( Go to Michigan.gov / fightcovid19 )
2. That the the State of Michigan lottery should be temporarily suspended for two reasons: #1 people are getting close to each other when buying tickets, which is spreading the corona-virus and #2 it is taking money out of people's pockets that they will soon need for food and essentials for themselves and those dependent upon them. Keep in mind THE CHECK IS NOT IN THE MAIL... for those expecting that $1,200 check, the government just said yesterday that to print enough checks for everyone, it might take until SEPTEMBER to print the last check!
3. That the Governor make clear to everyone that this is literally a "pause" in all payments at least until both the State and Federal national emergency is passed, namely, that NO ACTION will be taken on anyone who does not pay rents, mortgages, car payments, personal loans, credit card bills, taxes, water bills, other utility bills, etc. That the state police and all other law enforcement will be directed to NOT evict anyone due to a lack of payment, that water will NOT be shut off (and in fact if it has been shut off, it will be turned back ON, same with electricity), etc. Everyone except for essential workers should be staying home and only paying for food and food for those who depend upon them
4. That the schools WILL resume BUT not in the school buildings. I suspect there is some confusion about this. And, that Michigan work with all of the internet service providers (via satellite, copper, fixed wireless, coaxial, fiber optic, and phone) will be called upon (or ordered) to hook up every possible household. AND, that all state and local public buildings that have internet will become open WiFi hot spots. And, that school districts are directed to ensure that every student has both internet access at their home, and a device to access the Internet (ex. Chromebook, iPad, laptop, tablet) and that districts with unused devices will provide those to other districts in need (There is a lot more schools can do beyond this, but we'll detail that in another message.)
5. That everyone, statewide, is encouraged to sign up for SNAP, WIC, free/reduced lunch, etc. and that the state will make this more available for everyone who is eligible. That the state will allow all schools, who are already providing pickup meals for the free/reduced students; will allow them to prepare additional meals which can be purchased for cost for anyone in need AND that volunteers and neighbors can pick up said meals to deliver to those unable to make it to the schools
6. That blood donations are needed now via the American Red Cross, and that other blood banks in Michigan, such as "Michigan Blood" (now Versiti) should be ordered to provide at least half of their blood in storage to the Red Cross for distribution to places in need in Michigan and elsewhere; and that all state and local buildings are now at the disposal to the Red Cross for setting up blood donations
7. That everyone and every business who has medical personal protective equipment PPE such as surgical masks, N95 masks, medical gloves, etc; who is not using that for a current need, is asked to donate them to the state for distribution and that every secretary of state office will be a collection point, and that volunteers are encouraged to have a collection point in their community (like the back of someone's open minivan) and that will be taken straight to the secretary of state office
8. That churches and all other non-profits in the state are being called upon to discuss ways that they can help their members, their community, and the state with all of the above, and other needs as they become apparent
9. That everyone should be wearing masks when out in public and near anyone else (I would say, anytime less than 10 feet from anyone else); and these could be home made, bandannas, scarves, balaclavas, including home-made items of such
10. That people should attempt to buy food as close to home as possible to minimize travel. For example, go to the local grocery store, dollar store, gas station, or restaurant rather than driving into the big city to the big box store
11. That all term limits in Michigan are going to be an issue and should be eliminated (not just changed), because a bunch of experienced legislators will suddenly be unable to serve, and they are exactly the ones that have been in this debate, and have the most understanding of the situation
12. That, following social distancing rules (and again, 10 feet is better than 6 feet), check on neighbors and ask them what they need and how you can help; and via phone and internet, do the same with family, friends, and especially those who live alone
13. That the State will ask the federal government to provide addition funding directly to the state to administer all of the above, including the shortfall due to the closure of the lottery
14. That in order to provide the financial means for the State of Michigan that the state will form a "Bank of the State of Michigan" which will be able to use the physical assets of the states (buildings, state lands, roads, bridges, etc) and to monetized these in order to create the credit necessary to fund this herculean effort of winning against the virus while keeping everyone safe at home (as much as possible). This is already in place in North Dakota (in fact, that is the only place that has this, but there are former Michigan legislators and staff who are familiar with this, as it was looked into about 10 years ago)
15. That everyone be encouraged to start a permaculture victory garden to help provide additional fresh food for their families and neighbors, and that the MSU extension and Master gardeners are called to provide day-by-day plans and online help to ensure that all who can grow even a small amount of food have the support they need
Clearly, it will take a team effort to address all of these needs, and it may require deliberation and decision making at many levels, including legislative action, and in some cases, action by the people via improvements to the Michigan constitution, but this is a state emergency, national emergency, world emergency, and haste is needed... as in, weekends are not a reason to stop working on these efforts, it is all hands on deck time for the State of Michigan
###
202004031152 Aaron Wayne Wissner
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