Mayor: State is in a ‘dangerous’ time with COVID-19
By Charles Sercombe
It’s still grim news about Hamtramck’s COVID-19 outbreak.
For the second week in a row, there have been over 100 COVID-19 cases reported here, Mayor Karen Majewski said during her weekly address on the issue, via her Facebook page.
She gives this community talk every Monday at 8:30 a.m., but it can be viewed at any time after that.
To be exact, there were 110 new Hamtramck COVID cases this past week, compared to the previous week’s outbreak of 112.
“It’s just a reminder that this thing is not over,” Majewski said.
The total number of cases for the past year is now at 2,229, which is about 10 percent of the city’s population of 22,000.
The number of deaths remains at 49.
The spike mirrors what is happening all across Michigan, which is now leading the nation in new cases.
On Monday, the day Majewski delivered her weekly update, it was sunny and warm.
“However, the news I have for you is not so sunny,” the mayor said.
Then, besides the increasing number of COVID cases, the weather took a turn backward to winter on Tuesday and Wednesday, when it snowed and temps fell to the 30s.
Hey, it’s Michigan in April.
But, back to the mayor’s report on COVID.
Majewski said health experts don’t know for sure why there has been such a drastic uptick in cases, but so far, blame is being put on new strains of the virus, and “COVID fatigue.”
What is COVID fatigue”?
Majewski said folks are getting tired of masking up and staying inside.
Majewski gave her usual run down on where to get a vaccine, and also on various financial aid assistance available to those who have suffered a financial setback due to COVID.
Here are just some of the locations where those 16 years and older can get a vaccination:
o Wayne County Healthy Communities, 9021 Jos. Campau. (313) 871-1926, extension 6.
o Ford Field has daily appointments. Visit clinic.meijer.com/register/cl2021, or text ENDCOVID to 75049, or call (888) 535-6136 ext. 1. There is free parking and transportation is available.
o Meijer Pharmacies, text COVID to 75049, or visit clinic.meijer.com, or call the pharmacy location you are interested in.
o Some CVS and RiteAid locations also have vaccine available.
Financial aid for those in need includes:
• Funeral assistance for the families of COVID victims is available through the federal agency FEMA. This is a reimbursement for funeral expenses after January 20th, 2020. Call (844) 684-6333.
• A COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available to help with rent, utilities, etc. For more information, call (866) 313-2520 and follow the phone tree. Or go online to: michigan.gov
• Wayne County now has a program offering grants for home rehab for those eligible. For an application, go online to https://hamtramck.us/home-rehab-applications/
Have a little spare time to volunteer this Saturday to make Hamtramck shine?
Majewski reminded residents that the city’s Beautification Commission is sponsoring a citywide clean-up, starting at 9:30 a.m. in front of city hall.
Be sure to bring gloves.
Also on Saturday, there is a prescription drug drop-off in front of Dollar Tree at Jos. Campau and Holbrook.
You can drop off any prescription drugs that are not needed, or outdated, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Do not drop off needles, or anything else sharp.
Finally, Majewski wrapped up her talk to the community with a warning to heed precautions to prevent catching COVID.
“Michigan is kind of a dangerous place right now,” she said, in reference to the state’s spike in cases.
Posted April 23, 2021
