Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates by LARA and Governor Whitmer

03/12/2020 State Recommendations & COVID-19 Response Update

Dear Licensees & Stakeholders: Thank you for being a valuable partner in our efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Following the announcement of the state’s first presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are providing recommendations designed to help prevent the spread of the virus. These recommendations apply at the individual, organizational, and community levels. They apply to businesses, workplaces, schools, community organizations, health care institutions, and individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and health profiles; everyone has an important role to play. Please take a moment to review the Interim Recommendations to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 (March 11, 2020). Information about this outbreak is changing rapidly. You can stay informed by regularly visiting Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. Sincerely, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

 03/11/20 LARA Notice on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is providing the following information as it relates to the state’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) preparedness and response.  Please feel free to share this communication with your colleagues and contacts:

As you know, a global outbreak of a respiratory disease named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in China in late 2019. The virus has been detected in more than 90 countries, including the U.S. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan. However, the situation is rapidly evolving and it is likely we will see more cases across the U.S.

The State of Michigan has been working with federal and local partners to monitor the situation, develop and expand laboratory testing, educate and raise awareness, and prepare for COVID-19 in Michigan.

• On February 3, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) activated the Community Health Emergency Coordination Center (CHECC) to support state and local response.
• On February 28, Governor Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to coordinate state government resources.
• On March 3, Governor Whitmer announced the creation of four task forces to combat the spread of coronavirus and assess the impact it may have on Michiganders’ day-to-day lives.

Today, the overall threat to the general public and in the U.S. remains low, but we are approaching this emerging threat to public health with an abundance of caution. As our partner, we want you to have appropriate information on what individuals can do to protect themselves.

Use good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.

• Stay home if you are sick, and advise others to do the same.
• Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and warm water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).

It’s not too late to get your flu shot! While the influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 infection, it can help keep you healthy during the flu season.

Review travel advisories before planning travel.

Always review travel advisories from the federal government when planning personal and business travel. Review CDC.gov/Travel for destinations with risk of community spread of COVID-19

Take action to prepare your organization.

Community spread of COVID-19 in Michigan could impact routines and daily operations. Employers should consider creating or updating their infectious disease outbreak response plan including:

• Identify work-related exposure and health risks to employees.
• Review human resources policies to make sure policies and practices are consistent with public health recommendations.
• Explore policies and practices for flexible worksites or hours to increase physical distance between employees.
• Identify essential business functions to maintain operations if interruptions to supply chains or increased absenteeism occur.

The CDC has provided guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in communities including businesses, community- and faith-based organizations, and childcare organizations and schools.

Share accurate information.

Always share accurate information about a virus and how it spreads. It is important to remember that stigma and discrimination occur when people associate an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality. COVID-19 does not target people from specific populations, ethnicities or racial background. Suspected discrimination can be reported to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

LARA’s scheduled meetings and hearings will proceed as scheduled. Check our website regularly for updates in the event that board meetings, work group meetings, or case hearings are changed or rescheduled based on new developments.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest information frequently visit, Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or CDC.gov/Coronavirus

Sincerely,

Linda Clegg, Interim Director
Corporations, Securities, and Commercial Licensing Bureau

Video of Jumping Seals

A sign of improved ecosystem health is its wildlife diversity. It looks a group is training seals. Kind of cool to watch!

Boats in the Bay- Emerging Battery Technology can Help Our Environment

Our environment is under increasing pressure to move to new technological platforms that seek to minimize waste and create a level of homeostasis with our environment. Battery technology, renewable energies, alternative energy sources, biodegradable products and more are likely to transform our environment in ways we haven't thought of yet. We also have a lot of science and research in protecting our lands and the species that live within them. As our environment puts pressures on us and the cost rises, we will change to meet those challenges. The health of our bays, waterways, oceans, forests and planet will become synonymous with our own survival. New technologies allow us to reverse pollution and with a stroke of luck start to rejuvenate toxic environments. New science in battery technology make their way into the boating community and begin the process of transforming an industry. Solar powered boats that can keep going around the globe with no pollution? Improvement of solar power and batteries would make that happen! Waiting...waiting....waiting....   You may want to read up on the latest battery research HERE.

Live Views of Earth from the International Space Station

When the link comes back up you can watch live views of earth to get a better view of what we look like from space. Images are from the High Definition Earth-Viewing (HDEV) experiment on the International Space Station.

April 17th & 18th 2020 New-Deal Era Art & Music Restoration Fund Raising

New Deal Era mural found on Beaver Island. When I first heard of this last summer I was going to try and come out and help. The item was stored on the Island for many years and was recently re discovered. It is in the process of being restored. Support and be involved in projects that enrich our understand of culture and history.

Closing Technology Labor Gaps with Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act

Congress recently passed the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act and it will likely have an impact on available talent for the science and technology fields as well future university focus. The bill tries to help veterans find new technology and science training opportunities in fast growing and high paying careers. As the economy shifts to an Information Age a need to fuel innovating industries with updated and life long learning opportunities emerges.

What does the bill do?

The bill seeks to gap fill some of the shortages of STEM qualified people in the workforce by promoting and encouraging STEM study among veterans.

Why was it needed?

The technology industry is dying for talented employees and scientists to help push their industries forward. Considering the shortage of such workers in the U.S. and the heavy reliance on recruiting from overseas it makes sense to give veterans new skills to fill these holes. Its connecting a need and resource in the market (low levels of available talent and high quality potential candidates).

Veterans in STEM Careers Act indicates, "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 

employment in occupations related to STEM was projected to grow 
to more than 10 million between 2016 and 2026.\1\ In addition, 
in the next 5 years, between 1 million and 1.5 million members 
of the U.S. Armed Forces will leave the military, according to 
the Department of Defense. By a large margin, veterans cite 
finding employment as their most important need when returning 
home."

Taking a fairly large block of people who are transitioning into jobs and helping them blossom makes sense. They are prime for retraining and putting to use their knowledge and skills for national growth. There are new and emerging technologies in artificial intelligence, military capabilities, data security, cyber warfare, technology industries and much more. The broad based applicability of such knowledge is helpful in maintaining national competitive advantages and shoring up those areas that are weak.

and it intends to.....

Address the participation of veterans in STEM 
        fields, including by making veterans eligible for 
        certain NSF programs.
   Direct NSF to (1) encourage veterans to study and 
        pursue careers in STEM and computer science in 
        coordination with other Federal agencies that serve 
        veterans, and (2) submit a plan to Congress for 
        enhancing veterans outreach.
   Require the National Science Board to provide in its 
        biennial report on indicators of the state of science 
        and engineering in the United States any available and 
        relevant data on veterans in science and engineering 
        careers or education programs.
   Require NSF to consider the ability of an 
        institution of higher education to recruit veterans in 
        those institutions' applications to participate in the 
        Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, NSF 
        fellowships and masters fellowships for mathematics and 
        science teachers, computer and network security 
        capacity building grants, and traineeship grants 
        leading to a doctorate degree in computer and network 
        security research.
   Establish or designate a working group in the Office 
        of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to coordinate 
        and develop Federal programs and policies for 
        transitioning and training veterans and military 
        spouses for STEM careers.
   Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to 
        conduct a study on the academic success rates of 
        student veterans pursuing STEM degrees and barriers 
        faced by such students in that pursuit.

You can see from the bill there is an attempt to push up sciences in general as well as encourage science academics to produce worthwhile outcomes. In addition, there is additional emphasis on supporting Doctorates in these fields (U.S. has current shortage). Much of the bill also begins to collect and consolidate information and willful coordination among the actors that recruit, teach, and employ veterans. At its core it formalizes a path that improves the market through helping veterans improve their market position and quality of life.

Serving one's nation can be done in many ways. Military veterans have already shown they are willing to put themselves in harm's way to protect their nation and her ideals. They are equally likely to take up new career training and education opportunities that lead to greater employability down the road. The market is changing and the need to encourage adaptations in the labor pool is also needed to meet the needs of a Data Era.

Universities might also want to consider their responsibility in preparing graduates to take on new fields. It isn't only about getting them a degree and pushing them out into industry. Those days have changed. Institutions of higher learning will need to consider how to continue to serve their stakeholders by helping students become life long learners that come back over and over to update their abilities. The bill may help veterans specifically but also can influence the place STEM has in university programs.

SUPPORTING VETERANS IN STEM CAREERS ACT; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 17

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/425/text

Humpback Whale Caught in Fishing Net Video-The Need for Biodegradable Products

The whale is a majestic animal that reflects closely our abilities to clean up the ocean and improve upon our environment. Watching this video you can see how beautiful a creature it is as it swims under water and leaps into the air (I've seen dolphins out there). In this case the netting is stuck to the face causing the animal distress. To my boating friends I would say keep an eye out for this whale and if you see it call the Coast Guard. Sounds like a good discussion this week for my sailing club. You can consider trailing at a significant and safe distance to guide authorities.

I'm a little engaged in the boating community and from what I have experienced about the personalities involved they love seeing these animals survive and thrive in their natural habitats. Once I called Sea World to inform them of an injured Sea Lion limping around in the bay. They do a great job coming out and taking a look at injured sea animals. Sometimes you can send them a videos to look at so they can assess the injury remotely. In the case of my hurt friend it looked as though it was all fat injured and to keep an eye on him.

It does open up the question of the products we use and how they impact our environment. Personally, I believe that as our climate puts pressure on us we will continue to adapt and use cleaner sources of energy, biodegradable products like nets that breakdown after their natural use lifetime, solar power, etc..... We can't really make that happen until the market creates more demand for those products and industry finds cheaper ways to manufacture them (There is a huge market waiting for solutions on a global scale).

As an example, there is a restaurant in Ocean Beach that uses paper straws. Awesome idea but they are not as functional as the damaging plastic ones.  Once a company can produce a straw that functions as good as the plastic ones and are still biodegradable and sell at a comparable price they will have a lot of eager customers in this new generation. It would be irresponsible to not switch with everything being equal.