Update: COVID-19 cases are increasing

By Charles Sercombe
How much longer will Michigan residents have to stay put in their homes for this coronavirus outbreak?
That’s a question many are wondering. On Thursday Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced she extend her “stay home, stay safe” policy from April 13 to April 30.
This week the state legislature also extended the governor’s emergency powers to April 30.
That directive gives Whitmer extra authority in dealing with the virus scare.
Under the semi-quarantine policy, only those working in what are called “essential” jobs can carry on as usual. For those who don’t fall under that category, we are told to stay home, except to conduct essential activities, such as getting groceries, prescriptions and medical help. Folks are allowed to go outside for recreational purposes.
Probably the biggest interest is in when the restaurants and bars can finally reopen.
In the meantime, the governor decided to further crackdown on folks violating the stay at home policy, by increasing the fine for violating this order from $500 to $1,000.
That action was prompted after numerous reports of people congregating in large groups in parks and yard parties.
In Hamtramck, police warned four “non-essential” businesses who were violating the order, which included two pawn shops, to cease operation.
Officers also broke up a gathering of males who were seen entering a Jos. Campau barber shop for a hookah party.
Hamtramck’s police department was among several departments commended by the state attorney general for cracking down on business violations.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in Hamtramck continue to increase. At press time, there were 61 cases and two deaths. Just a couple of weeks ago, the number of cases was only at 9.
(As of Friday, the Hamtramck numbers increased to 72 COVID-19 cases, and three deaths caused by the disease.)
There are over 21,000 cases in Michigan, most of which are located in Wayne County. Michigan has the third highest number of cases in the country, behind New Jersey and New York.
City hall is still closed until further notice, but you can still pay bills online, or at the kiosk located in the entrance of city hall.
Posted April 10, 2020