The blog discusses current affairs and development of national economic and social health through unique idea generation. Consider the blog a type of thought experiment where ideas are generated to be pondered but should never be considered definitive as a final conclusion. It is just a pathway to understanding and one may equally reject as accept ideas as theoretical dribble. New perspectives, new opportunities, for a new generation. “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”—Thomas Jefferson
Nu-Way Cleaner's staff were gracious enough to make and donate masks to Gladstone Public Safety. For public safety and fire departments the dangers run high in contacting CORONA-19 and tracking that back to their families. The nature of their jobs doesn't always allow for social distancing of 6'.
In communities like Gladstone and Escanaba it is important for businesses to come together and help high risk first responders. It can lead not only too positive corporate responsibility but also encourages a greater sense of community.
With shortages I have seen many officers with nothing. They seem to be some of the last people to receive the items but are at a higher risk of catching it. They have families and don't have the luxury of staying in their homes like the rest of the population.
Thank you to Nu-Way Cleaners. They are a positive community actor that makes our towns just a little better place to live. They also clean uniforms so check them out.!
Nu-Way Cleaners
106 N 15th St, Escanaba, MI 49829
(906) 786-1238
While I'm not social causing if you have masks and want them to go to some of our local first responders just let me know and I'll pick up and deliver. There are a number of full and volunteer first responders that I'm sure would like to have them. Murad 619-540-0501 muradabel@gmail.com
From the information presented it appears that we have moved past the peak curve and on the downward slope. Because we have ramp up our capacity on many levels we are now focused on stockpiling extra ventilators, oil, and much more. There are some manufacturers coming online to provide things like swabs, testing and other issues.
Hints at revolutionized testing.
Much of the discussion was on current events and lists of what is happening. You can get the sense that the White House scramble is starting to settle and a plan has taken form. I'm more interested in what is going to happen tomorrow with the task force to see what economic strategies they will issue.
These are likely to be novel and bold.
President Trump
-American resurgence.
-Social distancing, hand washing and others.
-Deaths are down. Detroit down by 50%.
-PPP is being replenished. Senate is going to vote.
-$75 billion for hospitals.
-Filling up our oil stock piles.
-Help for medical institutions.
-V.P. Pence had a call with all the governors.
-We will be able help other countries with our excess of ventilators.
-We will have stockpiles at the Federal and State level.
-Let's bring our supply chain back. Let's build it and make it here in the U.S. Same for pharmaceutical products.
-Massive scientific mobilization unseen.
-Clinical trials are underway as well.
General Semonite
-Three legs...sites...supplies and staff.
-Working on the local level.
-Existing hotel rooms, dormitories or large open spaces.
-16K beds available.
-Need agile plan.
-Met with Governor Whitmer to help on beds.
-Lots of amazing work was done quickly by working with multiple stakeholders.
-There has been some other requests for flare ups.
-Out of their way with 4K contractors on Southern Boarder.
-Construction going smooth. 164 miles.
V.P. Pence
-770K American's contracted. 41K passed.
-Slowing spread.
-We are working on solving problems together.
-Testing for first responders. More testing coming out.
-13 New testing sites in Michigan with Governor Whitmer.
-Phase 1 is starting and states will choose how fast to move through but the testing capacity is there.
Dr. Birx
-Governors received information on testing sites and laboratories.
-While we set the guidelines each state determines what to do that is best for them.
-Good websites create greater awareness.
-Testing facilities and abilities are preparing for week 2.
Governor Whitmer discusses the need for the Stay-at-Home order and changes within the state. Those states without stay-at-home orders are seeing increases in Covid. Some parts of the state saw a slight rise but mostly as a whole state we are declining.
The chart of change was pretty good and easy to follow. It would be nice to make it more active in the sense is shows increase and decrease in an animated manner to help people understand how it spreads and declines (I think it would be nice 🙊).
The Governor indicates she is working with labor, businesses, and others to know how to roll out an effective opening that minimizes risk. It appears that it will be focused on certain industries and regions in this process.
African Americans (and other minorities I believe) are disproportionately impacted by the disease. Covid virus task force started on race issues as it relates to minorities and health. Part of the goal is to reduce bias and environmental factors as it relates the disease.
One positive change is a taskforce to tackle race and discrimination in healthcare and disease. The future of our nation needs all hands on deck in its economic recovery. Race and religious bigotry take entire sections of the economy and don't allow them to fully engage. Its lost human capital and it makes no sense in the modern world where rational minds and coordinated action is needed to pull our country out of crisis and thrive as a beacon for truth and justice that leads to prosperity for all (A modern America?).
(forgive any typos 😬)
Governor Whitmer:
-Discussed two first responders parents whose 5-year old child who died from COVID-19.
-Still too dangerous to life all restrictions.
-Some people are protesting and feel their rights are violated.
-Comparison with WWII.
-She is taking a 10% paycut. Senior staff will take 5% paycut.
-People and organizations are donating masks.
-Ventilators were provided from NY.
-Manufacture PPE in Michigan (Pure Michigan) retooling grants program.
-2200 people have completed training to help contact people who were in contact.
-Trump offered Federal assistance to States.
-75%/25% share between Federal and Local emergency work.
-Need food donated to Food Bank.
-Hoping that PPP program will help small businesses.
-32K positive cases 2.4K deaths.
-15% reduction of hospitalizations.
-Increased testing to 11K per day. Swabs are being produced.
-PPE are increasing for hospitals.
-Google indicates that stay-at-home is improving.
-Temperature checks, visitors, cleaning, rapid testing, etc... for determining business safety.
-Communities of color have impacted the most with 40% of total deaths coming from that community.
Dr. Khaldun
-Social distancing is working.
-Want to see consistent decline.
-Too soon could cause a peak.
-Expanding testing criteria. First responders can get test even without symptoms. Food service workers I believe are included. https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/ to find a testing site.
-Every skilled nursing facility must report Covid to state.
-IPREP local medical staff that work with long-term care facilities.
-Regional hubs for medical coordination.
-Thank you for brave men and women who are keeping us safe and doing their work.
-Thank you to first responders, transportation workers and others.
-There is a need to work on education and health.
-We need to respond to generations of disparity in the country. Some changes are needed. Poverty task force seeks to address inequities and inequalities. Mortality difference in life and death.
-Importance and value of data and information.
-Minorities don't have education and income in all cases to work from home or use their personal cars to avoid to get sick.
-Real time tackling of racial disparities.
President Trumps White House briefing discussed the need to bring back manufacturing, manage supply chains, and reemerge as a great society. It believe that much of what he says is correct. While service in an enhancement much of the growth other nations have received is from manufacturing. We have given away our abilities for cheap profits all the while neglecting the American people. We can, if our hearts desire it, change that dynamic now.
The supply chain and local manufacturing are part of the "come back" stage of the American economy. Crisis offers opportunities to reset the button and create new behavior patterns throughout the nation. Innovation, life-long learning, environmental consciousness and production are becoming part of what it means to be an American. Our educational systems will need to adjust in order to help workers adapt and learn new skills. Science and creativity are part of the American Renaissance.
Becoming the center of the global world means creating the highest value in this nation and sending it out to consumers across the world. Manufacturing and developing our internal resources is important. That doesn't mean we don't diversify our resources draw from overseas but that we bring our internal capacities up to competitive speed for the least amount of supply chain disruption. The matching of those resources to brilliant minds leads to market driven products that carry real value for investors, workers and communities.
If we don't grasp this opportunity to secure our place in global society there will unlikely be another ready made opportunity for a long time. Resources and abilities may not be there in the future when we need them or in a crisis situation that forces us to adjust just about everything in society (Including the way we live). We would have failed ourselves and all the generations after us because we were not willing and able to rise to the occasion. The winds call the bird of Jove to take flight to its rightful place at the center of the global economy.
President Trump:
-Discussing 4.2 million Americans tested.
-Localized testing.
-Converted plant to create swabs.
-Governors share what works and create a stronger strategy.
-Covid Declining in Trajectory Path.
-Beating the curve at around 60K deaths.
-New rules for doctors and hospitals. Complete surgeries and more.
-New hospitals and we have excess capacity.
-Young smart people trying to help their country.
-New gowns for healthcare.
-Lots of masks coming out on the market. Medical and N95.
-We need to make products in the U.S.
-Supply chains can be difficult if they span too far across the globe.
-Bringing supply chains back home.
-New treatment and therapies.Cutting red tape.
V.P. Pence:
-Corona Task Force have met. Over 746K americans tested positive, 68K have recovered, over 41K pass away.
-Metro areas are stabilizing and past peak.
-9K ventilators on hand.
-Tomorrow will be hosting a conference call with all governors. Discussion on testing capacities in the country.
-Strong hospital capacity and 14 days gaiting.
-Were here to help.
There is a good point the President made as it relates to the PPP program and its potential benefits to the country. Refunding the PPP (and other) can be helpful for creating greater innovation down the road for large (large businesses often integrate successful smaller businesses) and small businesses (can grow and develop on their own) alike. One issue our nation has faced is concentration of wealth in fewer hands. Allowing for a method of encouraging smaller businesses to start and sustain operations can have multi-fold benefits such as greater economic shock absorbing, improved return to investors, re-connecting rural economies that were sidelined by globalization, zoning for future disease waves to minimize economic impact, rebranding American values to a large/poweful group of Millennials, and encouraging localized grassroots economic systems that support family incomes. It just seems like it makes sense from an economic, social, and political standpoint. There are lots detail on how that works but the big picture idea is valid.
An idea that might add to this strategy is encouragement of larger investors (or crowd investors) that angel fund promising start-up ideas (with a good business plan). Doing so in large scale hedges risks and can raise entire towns and regions in sectors that are needed. For example, in Delta County you have resource rich area with mining, lumber, tourism and potential small manufacturing capacities with sufficient railroads, airports, and ports that could lead to exportation. Actions like this lead to greater American capacity and long-term sustainability in developing a competitive stance that fosters higher paying jobs that put food on American tables.
Government (s) may also want to consider publishing business and prospect reports for investors and small businesses about opportunities in different regions. Local governments may want to create growth plans and these plans are analyzed to create state, regional and federal plans. Connecting wealthy older investors to a creative and youthful younger generation is a patriotic responsibility that better prepares the young to take the seats of the old (i.e. passing of the guard). Of course...that is dependent on how we view our personal and national responsibilities.
Highlights
-Positive signs virus has passed its peak.
-We did better than anyone except maybe Germany
-Indicates we did better than most of Europe.
-A number of states will start a phased opening.
-$350 Billion for PPP program. $1.6 million small businesses.
-Should be bipartisan. Hopefully it will be open forever.
-13K medical sites are supported.
-Stronger testing than many other nations.
-We have extra ventilator capacity and can help other nations.
-9-10 platforms with testing capabilities.
-The market is improving and is rising because it has trust in our governmental system.
-There is an attempt to refund with $250 Billion.
Congressman Bergman from the 1st Congressional District announces that a number of local airports will be receiving monies through the CoronavirusAid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that provide $10 billion to
support U.S. airports experiencing severe economic disruption caused by the
COVID-19 public health emergency. The monies come from a U.S. Treasury Fund and will be used to mitigate disruption and encourage improvements.
Why is this helpful for Delta County?
Delta county is ripe for international investment and manufacturing. It is a county that has underperformed the market but has much of the needed infrastructure and "Yooper Strong" working population that could really make things happen. While this monies is for airports that experienced economic disruption it does create an opportunity to improve the airport for other purposes such as economic development. Notice in the yellow the more commercial oriented Sayer International and Escanaba Delta County are getting a pretty good chunk. Kudos for Delta and the Region!
Alpena County Regional APN $17,903,142
Beaver Island SJX $20,000
Cheboygan County SLH $30,000
Drummond Island DRM $20,000 Escanaba Delta County ESC $1,076,012
Grayling AAF GOV $1,000
Charlevoix Municipal CVX $30,000
Gaylord Regional GLR $30,000 Gwinn Sawyer International SAW $18,075,846
Hancock Houghton County Memorial CMX $1,098,918
Harbor Springs MGN $30,000
Iron Mountain Ford IMT $1,085,245
Ironwood Gogebic-Iron County IWD $30,000
Mackinac Island MCD $30,000
Manistee Co-Blacker MBL $30,000
Manistique Schoolcraft County ISQ $20,000
Menominee Regional MNM $30,000
Newberry Luce County ERY $20,000
Ontonagon County - Schuster Field OGM $20,000
Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County PLN $1,104,773
Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa County International CIU $1,095,968
St. Ignace Mackinac County 83D $30,000
Traverse City Cherry Capital TVC $14,819,260
Rogers City Presque Isle County PZQ $1,000
Mio Oscoda County Dennis Kauffman Memorial 51M $20,000
Atlanta Municipal Y93 $20,000
Bellaire Antrim County ACB $30,000
Frankfort Dow Memorial Field FKS $20,000
Pointe Aux Pins Bois Blanc Island 6Y1 $20,000
Michigan Governor Whitmer updated the public with the State of the State as it relates to Covid. She indicates that she will be re-opening the state based on location and infection rate. One thing that you can see is how the states and federal government interact in a type of conversation. There are some differences between the two in terms of testing but these are not anything radically different. So it appears as a nation we are creating a total plan where responses can be localized based on a wider federal guideline. It is one of those strategies that allows for flexibility within a stronger framework. This is what happens when State and Federal government listen and interact with each other in a positive way.
One thing is for sure...is that Chaos has taught our nation new skills and a spirit of bi-partisan collaboration. If it happens again we will have an arsenal and a battle plan already!
Governor Whitmer Updates.....
-1-888-733-7753 Mental Health Line.
-New Mental Health website, meditation, activities, etc.... https://www.headspace.com/mi
-$2 million behavioral grant from the SAMHS Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/
-Michigan Cares offers educators, children, parents and free digital lessons to teach people emotional, social, and mental well being skills. https://michiganvirtual.org/sel/michigan-cares/
-Michigan Sexual Assault Line Call or text. 1-855-voices4 and Domestic Violence 1-800-799-safe.
-Discussed working with governors in region.
-Fact based and data driven opening.
-Sustained control of new infections, test and trace infections, hospital surge, and social distance.
-New testing sites.
-Working with industry for testing.
-12 small businesses and non-profits were awarded Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Pure Michigan grants program are helping to fund mask creation.
-Wal-mart and other organizations have donated a lot of PPE and other stuff.
-Starting to engage with low risk sectors and regions.
-Work settings will be evaluated on the type and risk.
-Fill out your Census.
-30K people tested positive Covid. Lost 2000 people. https://2020census.gov/
-Showed how we flattened the curve.
Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun Provides Details
-More people are being discharged than being admitted.
-Social distancing is working.
-Data is used to help people understand.
-First state to talk of race and demographics.
-If you need call disaster hotline 1-800-985-5990
Interview Earlier in Day:
Governor Whitmer discusses Michigan, COVID-19 and Federal Guidelines. It appears for the most part she plans on following them but will do so specifically with Michigan in mind. There are differences between the U.P. and South Michigan in terms of infection rate. My suspicion is that the regional governors may end up charting a slightly different route that will still shadow the Federal guidance. What I like about what the Feds did is that they offered an opportunity for each state to determine their own course. Of course if restrictions are viewed as excessive or too arbitrary pressure will rise. So....it isn't an easy call for anyone and a lot political careers are made and broken in difficult times. A massive new spike would be terrible in the same way as a destroyed economy. Thus, we know something will be announced soon but precisely what that is.....is open to debate.
