Glenwood Elementary second-grade teacher Lauren Heald leads her class earlier this school year using the Capturing Kids Hearts model (School News Network)
Godfrey-Lee: Gaming club doubles membership its first season
The Godfrey-Lee’s first esports club grew from 18 students last fall to 40 middle and high schoolers competing in games such as Super Smash Bros., Ultimate, Fortnite, Overwatch and Mario Kart. In-person gaming clubs are growing in local districts and beyond. Other area esports teams include Catholic Central, East Grand Rapids, Lowell, Rockford, Sparta, Kentwood, West Catholic and West Michigan Aviation Academy. Aquinas College hosts sports competitions and West Michigan University has built an arena to accommodate esports. For more, click here.
Kentwood teachers are using KPS Remote Learning and Tech Talk as a go-to spot for tech tool instruction (School News Network)
Kentwood: Teachers tap into one another’s knowledge for remote teaching
Kentwood Public Schools educators have been sharing their knowledge and the tools they use in their classrooms with other teachers as the district quickly switched to remote learning due to the state-mandated closure of schools to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Just how did they accomplish this? Click here to learn more.
Director of Dining Services Monica Collier, far right, holds her statewide award for Breakfast Hero given to her by Mindy Grant, Michigan Breakfast Program grant manager, second from right. Lee Middle and High School student council members surround the breakfast cart Collier implemented (School News Network)
Godfrey-Lee: I’ll take that to go, please, for geometry class
With most of the students at Godfrey-Lee receiving free or reduce meals, you would think breakfast would be popular, but turnout was quite low for the morning meal. That is until Godfrey-Lee Dining Services Director Monica Collier created the breakfast cart program last fall, earning a state award for her idea in early March before the mandatory school closure due to COVID-19. To learn more about the breakfast cart program click here.
Kent County Health Department’s Wyoming location, The Potter’s House school, is a “walk-through” testing site is available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon., until Aug. 1. (KCHD)
The Kent County Health Department’s efforts to make COVID-19 testing more widely available to specific segments of the public has expanded by the opening of community testing sites, including ones at the Wyoming’s The Potter’s House school, and in Kentwood at the Kent County Health Department South Clinic.
According to a June 3 statement, testing is available to individuals over the age of six months who live in a community impacted by COVID-19, have a known exposure to a person with confirmed COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19, or work in a job that puts them at high risk for exposure (jail, homeless shelters, nursing homes or assisted living facilities, food processing facilities, or any business that limits the ability to practice social distancing, or has repeated close contact with the public).
“Expanding COVID-19 testing in Kent County is important,” Christopher Bendekgey, the department’s community clinical services director, said in supplied material. “We wanted to establish sites in the geographic areas where we are seeing the highest incidents of positive cases and where individuals have less access to transportation.”
Federal CDC-privided Coronavirus test kit. (Kent County Health)
The Potter’s House “walk-through” testing site is located at 810 Van Raalte Dr. SW, and available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon., until Aug. 1. The Kentwood “drive through” site is located at Kent County Health Department South Clinic, 4700 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. noon, until Sept. 1.
Other sites in the county which offer the tests include the drive-through Kent County Health Department Main Clinic, 700 Fuller Ave. NE, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, until Sept. 1; and the walk-through Baxter Community Health Center, 958 Baxter SE, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., until Sept. 1.
Registration for the testing is “strongly encouraged” and can be done by visiting accesskent.com/health or by calling 616-632-7200.
No insurance or identification is needed to receive the free test. However, people who have health insurance are asked to bring their insurance cards.
Individuals must wear a mask when arriving at a testing location. The test is administered by inserting a small swab into the nose and gently collecting nasal secretions from the back of the nose and throat. “It can cause mild discomfort but is a quick procedure,” according to the county statement.
Results should be available within three to five business days. If positive, individuals will receive further information from KCHD.
Part of the goal of the increased testing availability is “so we can get more accurate idea of the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” Bendekgey said. “It will not only protect individuals and their families but is an essential part of our overall strategy towards recovery.”
WKTV Community Media does plan to broadcast and live stream its Dream Wheels classic car show in August. (WKTV)
While the 2020 Metro Cruise has been cancelled this year, auto car enthusiasts still will be able to enjoy a host of classic cars as WKTV Community Media will be broadcasting its popular Dream Wheels classic car show in August.
The Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce announced today that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has made the decision to cancel the 28th Street Metro Cruise for 2020.
The event was scheduled to take place for its 16th consecutive year on Aug. 21-22 on the 13-mile long stretch of 28th Street from Grandville to Cascade Charter Township. The central hub of the event takes place at Rogers Plaza in Wyoming, which features the famous Collector Car Row, local bands, event merchandise and more.
“While it is very unfortunate the pandemic has affected our society and events in so many ways, WKTV Community Media is committed to helping to keep the home fires for Metro Cruise burning,” said WKTV General Manager Tom Norton. “We’ve been in the planning stages for the televised coverage of Metro Cruise for the last few months and will be shifting to a live and streamed classic car program for 2020.”
Dream Wheels has become a popular attraction during Metro Cruise hosting a number of rare cars and popular favorites. Norton said plans for this year’s show will again focus on lots of car classics.
“At this stage, we can say that the program will feature many classic vehicles from the region, but without general public attendance,” Norton said. “We encourage everyone to stay with WKTV Journal to get more updates on the program as they develop and we heartily encourage everyone to continue to follow all rules and guidelines so we can see the COVID pandemic in the rear view mirror.”
Metro Cruise was started in 2005 to help drive traffic to 28th Street after M-6 was opened. (WKTV)
Started in 2005 to help drive business to the 28th Street corridor when the M-6 highway system opened on the south end of Grand Rapids, the Metro Cruise has become a known and loved West Michigan’s premiere car event. The Metro Cruise typically draws more than 275,000 people annually from across the United States and includes approximately 15,000 vehicles such as hot rods, low riders, muscle cars, performance cars, classics, antiques and motorcycles, in additional to numerous live events.
“This event has become a community tradition, and we always look forward to welcoming car lovers from around the country into our communities each year,” said Bob O’Callaghan, president and CEO the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. “While it appears our state may begin to gradually reopen this summer, the event still poses a potential high risk of spreading COVID-19 in our community and beyond.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the Chamber agreed it cannot risk a second wave of infection in a state that already has experienced enough loss. This was an extremely difficult decision for the Chamber to make, but the right one in light of health concerns for our community.”
The event is planned to return Aug. 20-21, 2021. For more information on the event, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.
Deposit bottles and cans can be simply recycled as glass or metal, but with the return process being phased back in, there is probably some cash to be made. (Public Domain)
The State of Michigan Department of Treasury, this week, issued a Notice Regarding Phased Reestablishment of Michigan’s Bottle Deposit Return Program, which includes instructions that beginning June 15 some retailers must reopen their bottle return facilities and resume the collection of returnable beverage containers and refund of customer bottle deposits.
The collection of returnable beverage containers was temporarily suspended by an Executive Order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on March 23.
According to supplied material, this applies to retailers “with bottle return facilities located at the front of the store or housed in a separate area and serviced exclusively by reverse vending machines requiring minimal or no person-to-person contact.”
Retailers reopening their bottle return facilities must ensure those facilities comply with all state-mandated safety protocols and restrictions, the statement continues.
In addition, retailers may take any or all of the following steps:
— Limit the number of beverage containers that may be returned by a single individual per day to a deposit refund amount of $25.
— Establish special or limited hours of operation for bottle return facilities.
— Limit the number of available and operating reverse vending machines.
— Periodically close bottle deposit facilities as needed for cleaning and supply management.
— Implement such other procedures or restrictions as each retailer may determine are necessary or advisable to promote safety and/or efficiency.
The statement also points out that consumers have the option of recycling their returnable beverage containers if they choose not to return them to a bottle deposit redemption facility.
Before many businesses can open, owners first must secure personal protective equipment with two local agencies stepping up to the challenge to help owners find and purchase what they needs.
This week, Kent County announced the Kent County Back to Work initiative where the Kent County Board of Commissioners has allocated $2 million of the County’s CARES Act funding to provide person protective equipment at not cost to qualifying small businesses and other employers. Available PPE includes eye and face protection, gloves, hand sanitizer and thermometers.
“We need to focus on getting our economy back on track, making sure employers have what they need to safely reopen and employees fee safet to go back to work,” said Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Mandy Bolter. “Our Board listened to countless business representatives who were concerned about the ability to source PPE. We ant to remove that roadblock and use the County buying power to help where we can.”
To quality, employers must be located in Kent County and must employ 100 people or fewer. Qualified employers may place PPE requests either online or by calling the PPE fulfillment center at (616) 245-3636 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Calls will be taken in English or Spanish.
All qualifying requests received by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 will be entered into a random selection process. The first-round selection will take place on Friday, June 5, and a third-party fulfillment center will begin filling requests on that date.
Those selected in the first-round selection process will be contacted after their requests are filled, and they will be told where they can pick-up their order. Requests not picked up by employers within five business days of notification will be returned to inventory.
The program will continue accepting employer requests and running daily random selection process as long as program funding is available. If an employer is not selected in the initial drawing, they will remain eligible either until they are selected or until funding is no longer available.
Face shields are another PPE product available from local manufacturers.
Local PPE manufacturers
The Right Place, Inc. has developed and launched the West Michigan PPE Supplier Directory. This directory features West Michigan manufacturers who are producing high-demand PPE supplies, along with contact information to procure the supplies.
As West Michigan begins the process of a phased reopening, including today’s restart of manufacturing operations, companies can use this directory to fulfill their critical PPE supply needs and ensure a safe workplace reopening.
“As the region’s employers begin the process of restarting operations, we are proud to offer this resource to assist them in securing PPE from local manufacturers,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “The depth and breadth of the PPE available showcases the manufacturing prowess of our region. We are still a community who makes things, and this expertise has served us well as the community navigates this crisis.”
Companies can use the directory to source a wide variety of commonly needed types of PPE such as face masks and shields, gowns, googles, gloves, sanitization products, thermometers and more. More than 60 local companies are featured in the directory.
The West Michigan PPE Supplier Directory lists several Kentwood and Wyoming business that are making PPE productions. Some of the Kentwood and Wyoming businesses listed and the products they have are:
Kentwood’s 3D Printed Parts is offering this comfort strap for masks.
3D Printed Parts, 4355 Airwest Dr. SE, masks, face shields, and comfort straps for masks
Ladder 34, 4980 Kendrick St SE, masks and face shields
Bluewater Technologies, 4245 44th St. SE, digital signs, face shields
Nutra Foods, 4683 50th St. SE, masks, face shields, gloves, goggles, protective suits (not gowns)
Winners Brand, 5090 Kendrick Ct. SE, masks, face shields
Laird Plastics, 3839 E. Paris SE, face shields
Superior Business Solutions, 3615 29th St. SE, gloves, goggles, safety signage, thermometers
Southern Lithoplate, 4150 Danvers Ct. SE, hand sanitizer
Total Plastics, 1652 Gezon Parkway SW, face shields, medical mobile carts
Rapid-Line, 1475 Gezon Pkway. SW, hand free door pulls
Wyoming’s Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, environmental and health consulting
Additionally, products and manufacturers are being added on a regular basis.
If you are a manufacturer producing PPE and would like to be added to the list, contact The Right Place at PPEequip@rightplace.org.
“Hmm, how to purge when you can’t donate, garage sale, and somethings are weird to post on Facebook Marketplace,” a friend posted on her Facebook page.
During the few months of quarantine, I have seen a lot of people, including my own family, cleaning out whether it be the garage, the entire house, or cleaning up the lawn. And now that we may come to the end of the trail — maybe — the question is what to do with all this stuff?
“We’ve seen a lot more stuff coming from the residential area,” said Russ Boersma, general manager for Arrowaste, of collection during the lockdown. Arrowaste is a garbage and trash removal company located in Jenison. “On the flip side of that is that we have seen a lot less from the commercial areas.”
He added that it depends on the commercial route as some of those routes do include apartments.
And most waste haulers like Arrowaste have tried to be accommodating about the extra refuse. Boersma has encouraged customers to leave the lid open with a couple of bags on top.
Arrowaste trucks, like most in the trash haul business, are automated with the driver not having to leave the vehicle to remove trash. An arm comes out of the truck and lifts the waste container upside down so the contents fall into the truck. Boersma said it is up to each hauler’s discretion if they feel comfortable about picking up items that are placed next to the trash container.
“I tell people that if they have a couple of extra bags, they can use leave the lid open and stack the bags on top,” Boersma said, adding that Arrowaste did open its yard waste program in April, which runs through November.
Sticks, yes; Stones, no
According to state law, yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, and trimmings, must not be mixed in with garbage and many communities, such as the City of Kentwood, do not allow the burning of yard waste. To help residents, both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming offer yard waste drop off options free to cities’ respective residents.
At the end of April, the City of Wyoming opened its Yard Waste Drop-Off site, located at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW. There are social distancing guidelines in place with addresses ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, ,7) may drop off on Monday and Wednesday and those with addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8), may drop off on Tuesday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday are open to all residents. The hours for the site are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. One thing to remember, if it does not come from the yard naturally, it is not accepted at the Wyoming Yard Waste Drop-Off.
Also remember to bring your ID as the site is monitored.
The brush drop-off site will accept brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs. Materials not accepted are plastic bags, trash, dirt, concrete, asphalt, tires, rocks, stones, construction materials, and glass or metal. The leaf drop-off site will accept loose leaves and grass clippings.
But what to do about that old sofa?
Jill Wallace, Goodwill ow West Michigan’s chief marketing and communications officer, can also attest to the fact that people have been spring cleaning. The first few weeks of the statewide shutdown and most of the Goodwill locations had items stacked in its donation area, all of which the organization had to have hauled away.
“During that time period we were closed and were not accepting items,” Wallace said. “It was so sad because we were really going to need those once we did reopen.”
For the past several weeks, Goodwill of West Michigan has been working to reopen stores. Currently the Kentwood and Wyoming locations remain closed but the organization has open drop off in several areas such as Allendale, Cedar Springs, and Coopersville, according to the organization’s website.
Those planning to donate are ask to do so during business hours, which are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m .Tuesday — Saturday. Because there is a touch-less system in place and all items will be stored for 72 hours, Goodwill is asking that donors bag and box their times and then place the donations inside the provided carts. Many of the stores are not accepting large furniture items right now. For specific details on what is being accepted, call the the individual stores.
Many Wyoming and Kentwood residents have the opportunity during the spring to rid themselves of unwanted trash and junk through community clean-up days. Due to the governor’s State Home, Stay Safe executive order, both cities were forced to delay the popular community events.
The City of Kentwood moved its annual Community Clean-Up Day to June 6. It will run from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Kentwood Public Works facility, 5068 Breton Ave. SE. Residents must have picture identification to bring items to the event and according to city officials, there will be social distancing guidelines to follow.
The City of Wyoming moved its Community Clean-Up Day to the fall, Oct. 6. The popular annual event will be at Grand Rapids First, 2100 44th Street and run from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Residents must provide proof of residency which can be a photo ID or a utility or credit card statement.
If you are really desperate to get rid of items, there is always the South Kent Landfill located at 10300 S. Kent Dr. SW. The landfill is open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
The Kent County Recycling Center reopened at the beginning of May. This includes curbside recycling services that come to Kent County Recycling Center to be sorted and the residential Recycling Drop-Off Stations. The North Kent Recycling & Waste Center opens 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. for solid waste disposal and residential drop-off recycling services.
Also the county’s SafeChem program has resumed regular hours as of May 18 but the SafeSharps and SafeMeds programs are still closed.
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, in the wake of the death of George Floyd and resulting protests in Grand Rapids and across the county, on Monday issued a statement through the district superintendent’s office condemning both racism in any form but also anti-racism protest violence in any form.
The statement not only commented on the death of Floyd, an African-American, while in custody of Minneapolis, Minn., policemen, but also on the district’s own ongoing efforts to combat racism. (A Spanish language version of the statement is available at the end of this article.)
“Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. George Floyd as they mourn his tragic death,” the June 1 statement from the Godfrey-Lee Public School’s Superintendent Kevin Polston reads. “Many in our country are hurting as Mr. Floyd’s death is yet another reminder of the impact systemic racism has on people of color in America.
“It is the responsibility of those with privilege and power to create change to utilize their influence for the betterment of our society. We cannot continue on the slow trajectory we are on and expect to achieve equality. Change must happen now and we call on protesters to continue to demand change, but to do so in a peaceful manner.”
The district statement points out that earlier this year, the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Board of Education approved an equity policy to guide our work in creating an equitable education system for each member of our school family. (The policy is available here.)
A key action from the policy pointed out in the statement is as follows:
“Interrupt and dismantle harmful or inequitable practices and policies, eliminate implicit and explicit biases, and create truly inclusive, culturally responsive, antiracist school environments for adults and children.”
Superintendent Polston then closes the statement this way:
“This is our promise to the community,” Polston said.” You have my full commitment to use the access, voice, privilege, and authority I have to create change. … To use an analogy, there is enough food at the table for everyone to eat, but that means some will have to eat less so that all can be nourished. … The future of our children is at stake, we cannot stand by and watch.”
“Good news is rare these days, and every glittering ounce of it should be cherished and hoarded and worshiped and fondled like a priceless diamond.”
Hunter S. Thompson
Good News — ‘Small Victories’ in dark days
WKTV recently hosted Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson and her guests for a casual conversation over Saturday morning coffee to “Celebrate the Small Victories” during the global pandemic. The discussion included insights from community leaders who have a broad perspective of local businesses, non-profits and our thriving New American community. Go here (and scroll down a little) for the video podcast on WKTV’s The Whole Picture podcast page, and here for the WKTV In Focus audio only podcast.
Good News — Arts Festival’s virtual weekend
While we are not yet able to gather for concerts, go to the ballet, or walk through art galleries, Festival of the Arts and the other 20 cultural organizations that make up the Grand Rapids Arts Working Group are working together to host a Virtual Arts Festival. Go here for the story.
Good News — Farmers Markets are open/opening
Get out in the sun and find the bounty of spring farm produce and so much more, as many area farmers markets such as the Metro Health Farm Market and the City of Kentwood Farmers Market are or will soon be open. Go here for the story.
Fun fact:
2.3 billion
The number of people who are active daily on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp or Messenger, sharing news good and bad. (That compares to about 2.2 million watching Fox News (average in April 2020). Source.
The State of Michigan Secretary of State’s office announced May 28 that currently closed branch offices will reopen June 1 “by appointment only for essential transactions not available online.
“While the offices were closed to the public we conducted more than 3,000 emergency appointments for essential workers and planned and implemented protocols so that we could reopen in a way that ensures the safety of employees and all Michiganders,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in supplied material. “Customers can be confident they’ll be able to conduct their business with us safely and efficiently.”
Beginning the week of June 1, all 131 branch offices in Michigan — including two in the Wyoming and Kentwood area — will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for appointment-only services for transactions including: driver licenses and state ID transactions that must be done in person; title transfers; operator, CDL, chauffeur, mechanic and motorcycle testing; and seasonal commercial vehicle renewal.
The Wyoming branch office is located at 1056 Rogers Plaza SW, and the Kentwood area branch office is located at 3601 28th St. SE.
According to the Secretary of State’s announcement, branch staff will follow strict health and safety protocols, including wearing masks, standing six feet apart, using desk shields, and continuously disinfecting shared or common surfaces. Branch doors will be locked, and each branch will have a greeter to let customers with appointments in at scheduled appointment times.
In addition to preparing to reopen branches, the Michigan Department of State began sending updated renewal forms this week, color-coded based on the type of transaction needed and with streamlined information to explain how best to conduct the transaction.
To schedule an appointment visit Michigan.gov/SOS or call 888-SOS-MICH. Advance appointments can be made up to 180 days ahead of time. Same-day appointments become available 24 hours prior to the appointment time.
Kentwood’s Woodland Mall announced May 27 that it plans to reopen Monday, June 1, for shopping appointments with new sanitation protocols in place “to enhance the safety of all and to promote physical distance.”
The reopening, City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley points out, continues the promise of local economic recovery from COVID-19 caused retail business restrictions.
“The mall and (Woodland Mall management) PREIT have made a significant investment in Kentwood with the redevelopment (of the mall), which has resonated with our residents and the broader community,” Mayor Kepley said in supplied material. “We wish the mall continued success as we work collectively to jumpstart our local economy.”
While several mall retailers and restaurants have offered limited curbside pickup since March, the mall itself closed March 23. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent executive order permits Michigan retailers to offer shopping appointments.
Visitors will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall, and it is recommended shoppers wear masks for the safety of all.
In order to comply with State of Michigan requirements, access and total mall occupancy numbers will be limited initially. The mall will be operating on reduced hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Some stores may modify those hours further.
Given the limited occupancy allowance, the mall will temporarily ask all guests under the age of 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
According to supplied material, Woodland expects many of its retailers to join Von Maur and Urban Outfitters in offering appointments to up to 10 shoppers at a time, although smaller stores may choose to limit the maximum number of shoppers further.
“To say we are excited about Monday’s reopening is an understatement,” Tony DeLuccia, Woodland Mall general manager, said in supplied material. “Our retailers are eager to welcome back customers now that shopping by appointment is permissible in Michigan. … We are truly thrilled to be opening our doors again and have spent significant time and energy to ensure we can do so safely.”
Guests will notice other changes when they return to Woodland Mall.
Parent company PREIT has “carefully reviewed policies and procedures and thoroughly cleaned the mall using CDC-recommended disinfectant,” according to supplied material. “Common area furniture and other elements where physical distancing cannot be enforced have been removed. The play area will be closed indefinitely, and food court seating has been eliminated.”
PREIT and its service providers have also established a rigorous cleaning and sanitizing schedule, particularly for high-touch surfaces. All housekeeping, maintenance and security staff will follow CDC and state health guidelines, and will be wearing masks and gloves when working.
Even during the mall’s temporary closure, it has supported West Michigan during this time of COVID-19, including hosting three community food drives, which will continue to operate during the pandemic.
“Woodland Mall has been a gathering spot for our community for more than 50 years,” DeLuccia said in supplied material. “That has not changed, even though we have made some modifications to ensure the safety of all. We are ready to open our doors on Monday and look forward to seeing our friends and neighbors again.”
Race, gender, socio-economic status and sexual orientation are all common factors that determine risk in a health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. This public health crisis has exposed large health inequities in many populations, resulting in devastating and even life-and-death consequences.
“During a crisis like we are facing with coronavirus, it becomes convenient to abandon commitments toprincipals of diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “This cannot be allowed to happen.”
As of mid-April, African Americans made up 33 percent of all confirmed cases in Michigan – and 40 percent of the deaths from COVID-19. In addition, the Kaiser Family Foundation has reported that those with a lower household income level are at higher risk of serious illness if infected with the coronavirus.
Screen shot from one of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion videos from Metro Health-University of Michigan Health
There are several reasons why these populations are experiencing higher COVID-19 infection rates including underlying health conditions, occupational environment and living situations. There are also barriers to seeking treatment that put some minorities at a disadvantage such as a lack of health insurance and transportation, language barriers and a fear of trust.
Metro Health is educating the community on these health inequities through a video series released today at https://metrohealth.net/covid-19-updates/diversity-equity-inclusion/. Featuring Dr. Booker, these five videos address the important topics of: Health Inequities, Economic Impact, Building a Culture of Equity, Xenophobia and Preparing for the Future. Along with each video are valuable resources for people to continue to educate themselves on the topics.
“Even in the best of times, healthcare does not look the same for all people. It is not equitable. A pandemic shines a bright light on those inequities,” said Dr. Booker. “Metro Health is taking an even greater responsibility and accountability to educate the community on this topic and ensure no one is left behind.”
Please visit metrohealth.net/covid-19-updates for the most up-to-date information from the CDC and resources to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Registration is now available for the 5th-annual Multi Chamber Golf Outing, set for June 16 and co-sponsored by the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. Adjustments will be made this year to keep participants safe while still creating a fun and competitive day-long golfing experience.
The event will take place at Sunnybrook Country Club in Grandville. In-person morning registration begins at 7 a.m., with an 8 a.m. tee-time, while afternoon registration begins at 11:30 a.m., with a 1 p.m. tee-time. Individually packaged lunches will be served at 11:30 a.m.
Proceeds from the event provide about one-third of the funding for scholarships for graduating seniors from five high schools in the Wyoming-Kentwood area.
“We know how expensive college and trade schools can be,” said Bob O’Callaghan, President/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. “We hope to defer some of that cost for the students. It’s a small way to give back to the community.”
The City of Wyoming cancelled its traditional Memorial Day program, instead releasing a Memorial Day video featuring staff singing “God Bless America.”
“Things are different this year,” said Mayor Jack Poll in the video. “We have traditionally always met at Veterans Memorial Park on this great day in our city to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives for our country.
“But today, these recent events we are a part of today, I am here in my office but my thoughts are still the same and this is what a privilege we have to live in a country that is free and that we have all the freedoms that we have to enjoy, especially today we can think of that.”
Both Michigan and Kent County report COVID-19 numbers routinely, but a big question these days is what specifically does those numbers mean — people who are sick, people who had the virus and did not get sick, people who never contracted the virus for whatever reason?
Kent County, for example, reported 3,385 cases as of May 23 (with 68 deaths), while statewide numbers had 54,881 “confirmed cases” as of May 25.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced last week that it had changed the way it reports data on COVID-19 testing to make those numbers a little clearer.
“The change makes the data more accurate and relevant as the state continues to expand diagnostic testing to help slow and contain the spread of COVID-19,” the Man 23 MDHHS statement read. “The update to the website separates out the results of two different types of tests – serology and diagnostic. Michigan – along with some other states – has not separated data for diagnostic and serology tests.”
Data on serology testing – also known as antibody testing – is separated from the other testing numbers. Currently, serology testing can be used to help determine whether someone has ever had COVID-19, while traditional viral diagnostic tests determine if someone has active disease.
“Accuracy and transparency are paramount as we continue to respond to this pandemic,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said in supplied material. “We continue to expand and improve data reporting to make sure the public understands where their community stands with the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Digging into the numbers
MDHHS emphasizes that the change in reporting does not affect the number of lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan. It does lower the percentage of positive tests over the last nine days — when serology testing became more common. Michigan’s overall percentage of positive tests since the beginning of the outbreak remains virtually the same — changing from 14.2 percent positive tests to 14.3 percent.
Michigan’s COVID-19 website now shows results for 512,891 total tests reported to the state – with 450,918 diagnostic test results and 61,973 serology results.
Diagnostic tests are most helpful in tracking the spread of COVID-19 since they can show the number of people who currently have the COVID-19 virus. Serology tests are still being studied regarding their utility. They are currently most helpful in understanding how much a community may have been exposed to the disease.
“However, it is unknown if the presence of an antibody truly means someone is immune to COVID-19, and if so, for how long,” the statement continues. “Results of antibody tests should not change decisions on whether an individual should return to work, or if they should quarantine based on exposure to someone with the disease.”
Approximately 12 percent of Michigan’s tests overall have been serology tests; about 60 percent of those have been from the past nine days.
It took exactly one day for opposition to come rolling in after Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced May 19 that all registered voters in Michigan will receive an application to vote by absentee ballot in the August and November elections.
“By mailing applications, we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote,” Benson said in a statement from her office. “Voting by mail is easy, convenient, safe, and secure, and every voter in Michigan has the right to do it.”
According to the Secretary’s office, of the 7.7 million registered voters in the state, about 1.3 million are on the permanent absent voter list, and their local election clerk mails them applications ahead of every election.
“Additionally, some jurisdictions are mailing applications to all local registered voters,” according to the Secretary’s statement. “The Michigan Department of State’s Bureau of Elections has ensured all remaining registered voters receive an application.”
But ranging from two Wednesday, May 20, Tweets from President Donald J. Trump, to a statement to WKTV from Kent County Clerk/Register Lisa Posthumus Lyons — both Republicans — not everyone agrees with the Democrat Secretary of State’s action.
“My office was not consulted nor had any knowledge that the Secretary of State would be violating the law by sending unsolicited ballot applications,” Lyons said to WKTV. “We support conducting elections according to the constitution and Michigan law, and this practice is unconstitutional.”
A Twitter back and forth
On his official @realDonaldTrump Twitter account, the President today said: “Michigan sends absentee ballots to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election. This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!”
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
Secretary Benson, responding to the President’s May 20 Tweet, Tweeted herself: “Hi! I also have a name, it’s Jocelyn Benson. And we sent applications, not ballots. Just like my GOP colleagues in Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska and West Virginia.”
After Secretary Benson responded, the President’s original Tweet was deleted and another posted which corrected the original by saying “Michigan sends absentee ballot applications to 7.7 million people …”.
Secretary Benson also defended her action in her original, May 19, statement.
“We appreciate that some clerks are proactively protecting public health by mailing applications to all their registered voters, and we are fulfilling our responsibility to provide all voters equal access,” Benson said in the statement. “We know from the elections that took place this month that during the pandemic Michiganders want to safely vote.”
Mostly absentee May voting set records
According to the Secretary’s statement, record-breaking turnout was recorded in the approximately 50 elections held across 33 counties on May 5, with nearly 25 percent of eligible voters casting ballots and 99 percent of them doing so by mail or in a drop box.
In contrast, from 2010 to 2019, average turnout in local elections in May was 12 percent.
The absentee ballot application mailing from the Bureau of Elections includes a cover letter with instructions from Secretary Benson, according to the statement. Once a voter signs their application, they can mail it or email a photo of it to their local clerk, whose contact information is included on the application. The application is also available for download at Michigan.gov/Vote. At the same website, voters can also register and join the permanent absent voter list so they always have the option to vote by mail.
“The vast majority of voters across the political spectrum want the option to vote by mail,” Benson said in the statement. “Mailing applications to all registered voters is one of the ways that we are ensuring Michigan’s elections will continue to be safe, accurate and secure.”
May ballot was a unique voting process
After an executive order by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the May 5 voting was conducted using a hybrid system of encouraging absentee voting, either by mail or by dropping of absentee ballots, and having only a few vote-in-person sites. The Wyoming and Kentwood city clerk’s offices were the only locations to vote in person in the cities on May 5.
While Kent County election officials, and the city clerks of both Wyoming and Kentwood, abided by the state mandate in May, Kent County Clerk Lyons said her office will conduct the August and November elections by current laws — unless there is another executive order by the Governor.
“Until the legislature changes the law or the Governor issues an executive order, we are preparing to run the August and November elections as a normal — with in-person and absentee voting options available,” Lyons said to WKTV. “We will also continue to work with our local clerks to protect the health and safety of election workers and voters while preserving the security and integrity of the election.”
In Jerusalem, at the Aqsa Mosque — Islam’s third holiest site, where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven — Muslim worshipers have been kept out of the religious compound throughout the entire month of Ramadan for the first time since the dark days of the Middle Ages when crusaders controlled Jerusalem.
In Dearborn, Mich., home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States, gone are the community gatherings for evening prayers and nightly feasts to break Ramadan fasts with friends and family. But this year, something that could be done while still abiding by social distancing guidelines, there has been a blossoming of a modern Ramadan lights tradition to spread joy and offer some of the holiday spirit similar to the hanging Christmas lights.
In Kentwood, At-Tawheed Islamic Center and masjid (mosque) has been empty since March 13, and local Ramadan traditions including Friday prayers followed by the breaking of fasts, and its annual Eid Al Fitr congregation or community celebration, scheduled for Saturday, have been cancelled.
Imam Morsy Salem. (At-Tawheed website)
While At-Tawheed’s religious leader, Imam Morsy Salem, still offers online virtual teachings, he has been unable to lead prayer services as he would normally as such prayer services can only be done in person in the masjid.
Prayers, however, go on. Privately. Mostly at family homes, but also at places of essential work and even in outdoors — when Michigan’s infamous spring weather allows. But it is not the same …
“Our five daily prayers, including Friday congregation and sermon, are cancelled and are not held at the masjid for now,” Tareq Saleh, a member of the At-Tawheed management team, said to WKTV. “While muslims can still pray pretty much anywhere, praying at the masjid has always been one of our daily to-dos, and it bears bigger reward. The houses of Allah (masjids) are our refuge from the world to connect with him almighty.”
At-Tawheed is only one of at least five Muslim religious centers in the Greater Grand Rapids area serving congregations representing dozens of national and ethnic backgrounds ranging from Egyptian to Kashmirian to Bosnian to Somalian.
The Kentwood family of Hamid Elmorabeti, at prayer at home. (Supplied)
“We can still pray at home, either individually or in groups with family members, i.e. husband with his wife and kids. But no mass congregation prayer can be held through online services or anything of that nature,” Saleh said. “What our imam has been doing is broadcasting his lectures online and holding Quran recitation groups through Zoom service.”
While Ramadan fasting, during daylight hours for most healthy people, has remained the same, the change has come in the breaking of fasts daily and particularly at the end of the month of Ramadan.
“The biggest challenge we are facing with this situation is the congregation part … performing prayers at the masjid, the Friday prayer and sermon, breaking fast with the community, the night prayers in Ramadan, and coming soon the Eid prayer and celebration, Saleh said. “All of our acts of worship can be done at home or while a person is in isolation with the exception of Friday prayer and sermon and Eid prayer.
“While the Friday prayer requires a group of people, some big families with enough adults maybe able to hold a Friday congregation at home or wherever they are isolated.”
Tradition of fasting, supporting those in need
“Fasting is an obligation upon every adult Muslim,” he said. “There are certain conditions to permit breaking someone’s fasting, such as traveling or being sick. (But) Muslims fast wherever they are. The place, in its self, is not a condition to break fasting. So, yes, muslims are fasting at homes this year with their families.”
For a separate WKTV Journal story on Ramadan, and its religious customs and traditions, see a story here.
The At-Tawheed masjid has actually been closed since March 13, “when all the places of worship in town started closing their doors in response to the stay home and social distancing recommendations by the government,” Saleh said. “There will not be an Eid Alfitr congregation or community celebration this year due to the pandemic and the extension the governor put in place until May 28.”
The month of Ramadan, based on the lunar cycle, this year began on April 23 and last until Saturday, May 23.
“There isn’t any activities that are still taking place in the masjid other than the food pantry,” Saleh said. “The team has been able to support those of need through distributing food while taking all precautions to keep both community members and volunteers safe. Actually (a few) weeks ago an entire semi-truck full of potatoes was donated and distributed to the community through our food pantry program.”
For more information on the At-Tawheed Islamic Center, visit their website here.
In addition to information and connections to many COVID-19 related resources, the State of Michigan is now offering confidential emotional support counseling, available 24/7, at no cost to Michigan residents who call the state’s COVID-19 hotline.
Michigan Stay Well counselors are available any time, day or night, by dialing the 888-535-6136 and pressing 8 when prompted. Language translation is available for non-English speakers.
The service is part of a federally funded grant program implemented by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration (BHDDA) in partnership with the Michigan State Police.
“Because of COVID-19, many of us are grappling with strong emotions, including anxiety, depression and fear,” MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said in supplied material. “We want Michiganders to know it is okay to have these feelings — and okay to ask for help. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.”
Callers to the COVID-19 hotline will hear a recording that begins by saying to press “8” if they would like to speak with a Michigan Stay Well counselor. The counselors, though not licensed professionals, have received specialized training from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Technical Assistance Center on how to provide emotional support to residents of federally declared disaster areas. A major disaster was declared in Michigan on Friday, March 27, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BHDDA hopes that adding Stay Well counseling services to the hotline will provide callers with relief from the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Emerging or lingering anxiety, distress, irritability and loss of hope are important feelings to recognize in ourselves and others, and it can help to talk to someone,” Dr. Debra Pinals, psychiatrist and MDHHS medical director for behavioral health, said in supplied material. “If it’s helpful, the counselors can also provide callers with referrals to local mental health agencies and substance use disorder support services.”
State employee volunteers also continue to answer general COVID-19 questions on the hotline. The current hours for general questions are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Tired of all the sad, bad news these days? City of Kentwood commissioner Emily Bridson will host a casual conversation to “Celebrate the Small Victories” during the global pandemic via a Facebook Live Event on Saturday, May 23, starting at 10 a.m.
“Let’s focus on the positive, what we’ve learned, how we adapted, and what moving forward looks like,” Bridson said in supplied material. “This will be an uplifting take during this challenging time but will include real stories of pain and struggle and, of course, the small victories.”
In the discussion, Bridson will be “Celebrating the Small Victories” with guests Hanna Schulze of Local First, Tarah Carnahan of Treetops Collective and Sagar Dangal, an activist in the Bhutanese community.
The discussion is expected to include topics such as the local economy, personal growth, practices of local businesses that prioritize people’s safety and needs and facilitating the sense of belonging in our community, according to supplied material.
Also on the agenda are how we will be more adaptable, proactive and action-oriented; job flexibility for working parents and workforce health considerations moving forward; creating more equitable opportunities for caretakers and those with underlying conditions; and, finally, looking to the future.
The discussion guests
Dangal is owner of the local business Everest Tax Services. In addition, he is vice-president of the Bhutanese Community of Michigan and host of the podcast “Bhutanese Talk”.
Carnahan is the executive director and co-founder of Treetops Collective, which has the mission: “To connect refugee women with people and opportunities in their new community so they can flourish for generations to come — standing tall and impacting others.”
Schulze is the executive director at Local First, a group with the vision: “We lead the development of an economy grounded in local ownership that meets the basic need of people, builds local wealth and social capital, functions in harmony with our ecosystem, and encourages joyful community.”
Bridson is a Michigan native, community activist, business professional and retired professional athlete. She serves as a Kentwood city commissioner and serves on Kent County’s City/County Building Authority.
During the discussion, Facebook Live comments and questions may be discussed in real-time.
Considering the medical science surrounding what we already know about the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for people to continue the practice of wearing a mask while in public. The personal policy of behaving as if you are carrying the virus is ultimately a wise one as it directly saves the lives of those around you.
We encourage everyone to remember that COVID-19 is a newly discovered virus and the medical and science community is the best source of it’s characteristics.
Because of the ability for anyone to put anything up on the internet and social media and pass it off as legitimate, we also encourage caution when absorbing what you may read or see. Please stay with mainstream news sources and with the CDC (Center for Disease Control).
We also encourage everyone to be aware that minimizing the spread of COVID-19 is the surest and fastest way for our society and State to get beyond this pandemic. Practicing this behavior, as recommended by medical and science professionals, will also likely bring a more solid and sustainable re-opening of our local economy.
The following link, to a recent article by writers at the magazine Science, who’s COVID-19 reporting is supported by the prestigious Pulitzer Center, is an example of good reporting on the science of COVID-19. (Linked with permission.)
Since people are at home and have the time, the one thing that appears residents are doing is filling out the 2020 U.S. Census.
At least in the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming with the U.S. Census reporting through its interactive response rate map that both cities have already surpassed their 2010 U.S. Census overall response rate. As of May 18, 2020, the City of Kentwood is at 74.1 self-response rate. In 2010, its overall response rate was 73. The City of Wyoming’s 2020 self-response rate is 72.5, just slightly over its 2010 overall response rate of 72.4.
According to recent reports, about 59.5 percent of the U.S. households in the United States have self-responded, meaning that residents have either mailed, called in or gone online to answer the nine questions that center around who was living in the home on April 1, 2020.
This is about 88 million households that have responded. For the 2010 census, it was about 74 percent mail in rate (the 2010 U.S. Census did not have an online component) with about 116.7 million households responding to the census. The total population report for the 2010 U.S. Census was 308.7 million of which about 300.8 million were living in homes and the remaining 8 million lived in group quarters such as school domentories, nursing homes, and military barracks.
Michigan ranks fourth in self-response to the 2020 U.S. Census.
So where does Michigan stand?
Michigan ranks fourth with 66.2 percent or 3.2 million households responding. In the 2010 U.S. Census, the state had a total of 67.7 percent response. Despite having cities with some of the highest participation rates in the 2010 U.S. Census, Michigan had a population drop of about 54,000 going from 9.938 million in 2000 to about 9.883 million in 2010.
Due to the population drop, Michigan lost a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, going from 15 to 14. According to state officials, the goal for the 2020 U.S. Census is for its population to be enough to maintain its current 14 U.S. House of Representative seats.
“The state has been growing, but not growing as quickly as Texas, Florida, or North Carolina,” said Michigan Statewide Census director Kerry Ebersole. “So we have the opportunity to maintain which we have in congress but it is unlikely we will pick up an additional seat.”
Keeping those seats are even more important as Michigan goes against other states for relief funding from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s important that Michigan voices are heard,” Ebersole said, “that we have a voice and representation at the federal level especially as policies are developed that may impact our state.”
And it is not just policies related to COVID-19 relief, but also for programs for the Great Lakes, Medicare, literacy, the elderly and city infrastructure such as the parks and roads.
As of May 18, 2020, the National response rate has been 59.5 percent.
It is all about the numbers
“The two things that the census influences are dollars and how many U.S. Representatives the state will have in Washington D.C.” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley in an interview about the U.S. Census before the statewide COVID-19 state of emergency order.
Funding dollars are largely determined by a municipality’s population and while looking at how the Michigan Department of Transportation determines funding, Kepley noted that 50,000 seemed to be a magic number that would increase a municipality’s funding for roads. The U.S. Census currently estimates that the City of Kentwood’s population is around 51,868 which means Kentwood needs to do a “good” job in getting residents to respond to the 2020 Census.
Which according to the 2020 U.S. Census Interactive Map, Kentwood residents have done quite well in self-responding. As of Monday, May 18, 2020, the City of Kentwood has had 74.1 percent self-response of which 65.7 have been online responses. Of course, there are still a number of factors in determining the overall funding any municipality will receive.
“If we do better in getting the word out and showing an increase, it could be that we are taking money away from another city that may not have done as well doing that,” Kepley said, adding if everyone does well then, it also will have an impact on the dollars Kentwood could receive.
But having residents fill out the U.S. Census is important, Kepley said as it impacts what the city can provide in city infrastructure such as roads and parks, low and moderate housing, and even attracting future businesses which use census information as a component to determining where to locate.
More numbers
Along with the City of Kentwood and the City of Wyoming. which has a self-response rate of 72.5 of which 63.5 were online (as of May 18, 2020), the overall Kent County self response rate has been above the U.S. average of 59.5 percent. As of May 18, 2020, it was at 73.3 percent total of self-reporting of which 64.1 percent were online. In 2010, the county had a total response rate of 73.6 percent.
Some other municipalities numbers as of May 18, 2020:
City of Grand Rapids: 65.6 percent of which 54.5 were online. In 2010, it had a response rate of 69.7.
City of Grandville: 81.1 percent of which 73.4 were online. In 2010, it had a response rate of 79.8.
Caledonia Township: 81 percent of which 73.6 were online. In 2010, it had a response rate of 81.2.
Byron Township: 79.9 percent of which 72.5 were online. In 2010, it had a response rate of 76.3
Still time to respond
Due to the COVID-19 and a majority of the nation placed on lockdown to help prevent the spread, the U.S. Census Bureau announced it has delayed the counts. U.S. lawmakers still need to sign off on the new schedule.
According to the U.S. Census website, residents will have until Oct. 31 to self-respond. Non-response follow-up with census fieldworkers going out will be Aug. 11 to Oct. 31. The U.S. Census Bureau is pushing back the 2020 U.S. Census report to the president from Dec. 31, 2020 to April 30, 2021 with the president delivering the counts to Congress within 14 days. States would receive numbers for redistricting by July 31, 2021 instead of April 1, 2021.
“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces — just good food from fresh ingredients.”
Julia Child
Local farmer’s markets are open, opening
Among the announcements of cancellations and/or delays in programming comes some good news: many area farmers markets such as the Metro Health Farm Market and the City of Kentwood Farmers Market will open as scheduled. Get the latest news on when and where. Go here for the story.
A customers picks up a delivery from Green Wagon Farms at the Ada location of a local REKO market in early May. (WKTV)
Shop the Finnish way … Go REKO!
There are many models for consumers to “buy local and eat local” — home and community gardens, farmer’s markets, CSAs, farm stands — but a group of small, local producers are giving the European-bred REKO model a try, and doing so for many reasons. Go here for the story.
Eating the Mediterranean Way … wine anyone?
We always hear about the latest fad diet, but don’t we often wonder what really works? The Mediterranean diet, however, isn’t a diet so much as it’s a way of living. Go here for the story.
Fun fact:
8 percent (longer life)
There are several studies that have been associated the Mediterranean diet with a longer life. One review conducted by Italian researchers on an overall population of over 4,000,000 showed that a diet can reduce risk of death by 8 percent. Source.
The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department announced it will be offering free Rec at Home Kits.
These kits will consist of fun activities for your children to do at home. There are total of 200 kits. To receive a kit, a child should be pre-registered to receive a kit. The activity number is 300000_01.
Kits may be picked up at 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW. Additional pickup information will be emailed to all who registered.
If you have any questions, contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation through email parks_info@wyomingin.gov.
All Districts: School leaders working together to plan fall and beyond
Now that school districts have distance learning up and running, local education leaders are turning their attention to the next urgent concern: the future of schooling. An ad hoc committee of 13 Kent ISD school leaders — which includes Wyoming Superintendent Craig Hoekstra and Godfrey-Lee Superintendent Kevin Polston — are working on contingency plans to prepare for the next school year and beyond. To learn more about the discussion, click here.
Tara Jones plays with son, Cole, during a Bright Beginnings playgroup. (School News Network)
All Districts: Supporting parents as teachers
Bright Beginnings, which offers parents support and services to help them become the best first teachers for their children, recently received a Blue Ribbon accreditation from the Missouri-based Parents as Teachers program. Free to families in the Kent ISD, to learn more about the program and the accreditation, click here.
Cast members from Godfrey-Lee’s production of ‘The Wiz’ prior to school building closures (courtesy photo/School News Network)
Godfrey-Lee/Wyoming: The show might go on
Last year it was snow days, this year it was COVID-19 that caused area schools, such as Godfrey-Lee and Wyoming, shutdown with school productions left in limbo. And while the show may not happen – some directors remain hopeful – there still is the story of community that brought everyone together. To learn more, click here.
Miriam Tenhaaf and her brother Paul from Diemer’s Farm and Greenhouse braved the cold and rain to attend the opening day of the Metro Health Farm Market. (WKTV)
Social distancing certainly was not a problem at the opening of the Metro Health Farm Market on Thursday as mother nature controlled the crowds with rainy and cold weather.
Still some shoppers – and a few friends showing support – stopped by to check out the offerings of about nine vendors who participated in the rainy opening. Plants, flowers, vegetables, cheese, and even hot coffee were just some of items available. Both vendors and shoppers wore masks and despite the cold weather, were happy to have the market open.
A sign at the Metro Health Farm Market reminds patrons of social distancing guidelines. (WKTV)
“We really appreciate it that it is open,” said Miriam Tenhaaf from Diemer’s Farm and Greenhouse, a family farm based in Holland. “We do most of our business through the farmers markets along with some restaurant sourcing.”
And while the Metro Health Farm Market’s Thursday opening was slow, Tenhaaf said the family has seen good numbers at other markets.
That is good news for Mike Cnossen of Cnossen Family Farms as the Metro Health Farm Market was the first event of the season for him and his wife, Helen.
“Farming is in our blood,” Cnossen said, although because of the weather and the very slow traffic (at around 10:30 a.m. there was about three customers at the market), the couple was starting to pack up for the day.
“We’re happy to see the season start and we’ll see what comes,” Cnossen said.
The Metro Health Farm Market is set up in the Metro Village located in front of the hospital. (WKTV)
The Cnossen’s market neighbor, Peter Van de Roovaart, owner of Full Circle Coffee with a store in Byron Center, said he too was glad to see the farm markets open.
“We are at several of the markets,” Van de Roovaart said, adding he plans to be at the Byron Center Famers Market which opens May 23 at Byron Center’s Bicentennial Park. Even with a physical location, Van de Roovaart said the company still does a lot of business through the farmers markets as well as its mobile truck.
The Metro Health Farm Market is open every Thursday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., rain or shine. It is located at the Metro Health Village in front of the hospital. The market runs through Oct. 18. For a complete list of vendors, click here. Note: Due to the current governor’s executive order, only vendors selling essential items, such as food and produce, can participate at a farm market.
One of the longest traditions in the City of Wyoming has been the annual Memorial Day ceremony to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the U.S. military.
Even with the current COVID-19 pandemic and the governor’s extended Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the city plans to continue that tradition, according to staff. The event is just going to be a little different.
The annual ceremony, usually at the City of Wyoming’s Veterans Memorial Garden, has been cancelled. Instead, city leaders and staff are working to put together a prerecorded mashup video with members from the city singing.
“As home to the Michigan Army National Guard Grand Valley Guard Armory, the American Legion Roger B. Chaffee Post, with many of our residents having served in the military, the City of Wyoming has a long tradition of holding Memorial Day as an important day of remembrance,” stated Mayor Jack Poll. “It is important for our community to come together to honor the sacrifices of our blue star families.”
The video is scheduled to be posted on the City of Wyoming’s Facebook page around Memorial Day weekend and make sure to check out the WKTV Journal page, which will be featuring the video all day Memorial Day.
This year, Memorial Day is May 25. Memorial day, usually observed on the last Monday in May, originally honored those who were lost during the fighting of the Civil War. it has evolved over the years to include all American military personal who died in any of the wars. Most communities, such as the City of Wyoming, have marked the day with special parades and ceremonies.
Memorial Day weekend is usually the official start of summer as it is a three-day weekend for most people. However, this year, with the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order extended to May 28 – the Thursday after Memorial Day – most people probably will be celebrating at home.
The Metro Health Farm Market kicks off the summer season by opening Thursday, May 14. Due to COVID-19, the market will be a little different in that social distancing guidelines will be adhered to and those attending are asked to where masks and leave the personal shopping bags at home. The market will be open form 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more on the Metro Health Farm Market and other farmers markets, click here.
Music for Quarantine
Now on Blue Lake Public Radio: the Grand Rapids Symphony (Supplied)
Every Sunday in May, area residents can tune into a previously recorded Grand Rapids Symphony performance. Performances are on at 1 p.m. at WBLU-FM 88.9 in Grand Rapids or click here to access Blue Lake Public Radio online. For the complete line up, click here.
Remembering the Heroes of WWII
May 7 marked the 75th anniversary of when the Germans surrendered to the Allied Forces. This week’s KDL Staff picks features a selection of World War II books from Michael Bornstein’s “The Survivor’s Club to “They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei (of “Star Trek” fame). For the complete list, click here.
Fun Facts
A botanist running around like Rambo? Well according to Tim Evans, a GVSU professor of biology, if that’s what it takes to get people to discover Michigan’s amazing natural beauty, well why not? We’re all for it. Here is Evans’ first in a series on “Dangerous Botany.” To check out Evans’ other videos, click here.
Brian Hartl, supervising epidemiologist at the Kent County Health Department, talked to WKTV this week about the county’s Contact Tracing Volunteer program.
As Kent County, with the rest of Michigan, begins to come out of its “stay-at-home” COVID-19-limiting efforts, the county’s Health Department remains hard at work with efforts to identify and keep track of persons actively infected — and those possibly exposed to the coronavirus.
And a key element in the county’s contact tracing effort is its on-going Contact Tracing Volunteer program.
“It is really important to control the spread of infection, that is our main goal with this … prevention and control of COVID-19 in our community,” Brian Hartl, supervising epidemiologist at the Kent County Health Department, said to WKTV this week.
The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is currently seeking contact tracing volunteers to work with the department’s staff “mitigating the community spread of the virus and in supporting patients with a suspected or confirmed infection,” according to supplied material.
“We are really looking for someone who is comfortable with talking with people,” Hartl said. “Really, that is our main criteria, the prerequisite, that you feel comfortable talking with people on the phone. I think if you have some sort of science or health care background, where you are comfortable talking about health concerns, or infections, that is an added bonus.”
While volunteers will be asked to use their own home computers and personal phones, they will be give training, including “sensitivity training.”
“Training is obviously necessary, to help them understand what this is all about,” Hartl said. “Anytime you are talking about someone’s health, you have to understand that this in confidential. Sometimes people get concerned with charing their information with a stranger from the health department. And so confidentially is important. Some of these calls can get sensitive, and emotional.”
And always of great help are persons of diverse cultures and languages.
“We are seeing a high burden (of infections) in populations who are non-English speaking here is Kent County,” Hartl said. “So, individuals who are from those populations, who can speak those languages, are of great need at this point and would be an amazing benefit to this endeavor.”
County’s contact and isolation protocol
Hartl also detailed the KCHD’s overall process of “prevention and control of COVID-19” in Kent County.
“When we get a positive case of COVID-19, our investigators will contact that individual by phone to do that interview, an investigation,” Hartl said. “That investigation includes when their symptoms started, what types of symptoms they had, where they may have picked up the virus, if they have an idea. And then we ask a lot of questions about who they came into contact with 48 hour prior to their getting their symptoms, up to the point we are talking to them.
“We want to make sure all the individuals who may have been exposed to the persons who is sick are identified,” he said, adding that the focus of the questions are “high-risk exposures” to the sick individual.
“We get a list of those contacts, and we, in turn, contact them and ask them about their health to see if they have symptoms yet or if they are well. And then we recommend those individuals do a 14-day quarantine period from the last time they were exposed … periodically, our contact tracers call those individuals to make sure they are asymptomatic, and make sure they are still abiding by the quarantine recommendations. On the 14th day … we would release them from that quarantine.”
Hartl said it is also part of the protocol to “contact the (active) patients every couple days, just to make sure they are doing well and their symptoms have not gotten worse, and to make sure those individuals are isolated. … those individuals are isolated for a period of at least 10 days to make sure they are symptom free … and they can be released from isolation.”
Among the announcements of cancellations and/or delays in programming comes some good news: many area farmers markets such as the Metro Health Farm Market and the City of Kentwood Farmers Market will open as scheduled.
“We’re very excited,” said Metro Health Farm Market Manager Michelle Rademacher. The Metro Health Farm Market is scheduled to open May 14 and run until Oct. 8 at the Metro Health Village, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW. The market is on Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., rain or shine.
“There has been a lot of planning for this to take place so as to follow all of the stipulations for COVID-19,” Rademacher said.
Farmers markets have been deemed essential by the state but even with this classification comes limitations with only food vendors able to sell at the markets. Like many of the area farmers markets, the Metro Health Farm Market and the Kentwood Farmers Market will be following Center for Disease Control and Michigan Farmers Market Association COVID-19 guidelines.
Along with only essential items such as food being offered, vendors will be six feet apart and required to wear masks. Patrons will be encouraged to wear masks and to leave their personal shopping bags at home.
“There is going to be less out with vendors restocking,” Rademacher said. “Hopefully customers will say, ‘I would like three corn, one lettuce,’ and the vendor will pick and bag the items so as to reduce the amount of touching the items.”
“Everybody loves to pick up a tomato to see if it is the perfect one for their meal,” said Fulton Street Farmers Market Assistant Manager Dana Eardley. Being open year around, the Fulton Street Farmers Market, 1145 Fulton St. SE, was able to gradually institute procedures for social distancing and reduction in contact. This included a policy that only the the vendors are allowed to touch food and produce.
The Fulton Street Farmers Market had its official main (summer) season opening this past weekend, where the hours were increased to 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday through October. From November to April the market is only open for a few hours on Saturday.
Area farmers markets have been deemed essential by the state with vendors only able to offer food items such as diary, meat, and produce. (Free Domain)
Kentwood Farmers Market
To encourage vendors to follow the guidelines, the Kentwood Farmers Market is offering a Vendor Scholarship, which will cover 100 percent of the vendor fees. To qualify for the scholarship, a vendor who sells food products, needs to demonstrate a commitment to customer safety such as offering pre-packaged items or pick-up.
The Kentwood Farmers Market returns for its sixth season, June 4 and running through Aug. 27. The market will take place on Thursdays from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. in front of Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. For more information on the Kentwood Farmers Market or the Vendor Scholarship, visit the market’s website.
Get It and Go
The implementation of customer counts with the Fulton Street Farmers Market only being able to allow 66 customers in the market at onetime did prove to be a challenge. The market was required to close off all its side entrances and increase its volunteers to get the customer counts along with help at the handicap entrance, Eardley said.
“The market is a place that people come to stroll or have a family outing, letting the smells and produce call to them as to what they might want to add to their meals,” Eardley said. “We have had to really make a shift in having people get in and get their food and leave.”
Advance planning is encouraged with the Fulton Street Farmers Market instituting a “roll call” on its Facebook of vendors planning to be at the market so shoppers could plan.
The Metro Health Farm Market also will have traffic arrows to direct the market flow and some of its entrance points will be closed but there are no plans to track the number of people in the market.
“There is some fear that a farmers market can turn into a social gathering, “Rademacher said. “Hopefully people will follow social distancing guidelines and only send one person from a family to help with the crowd control.
Rademacher added staff will be keeping an eye on the first day to see if adjustments need to be made.
Making Their Dollars Count
Eardley remarked that attendance for opening weekend was lower than usually, but she did have good news for other farmers markets.
“Some of our vendors have told us that they have had record-breaking sales,” she said. “So while the volume was down, those who were coming are very serious about making their dollars count toward the local food farmers and not the big box stores.”
Rademacher concurred with Eardley, saying “I think people are acknowledging that farmers are small businesses and spending local wherever they can.”
What About Non-Food Items?
Most markets usually have a mix of food and non-food items. Fulton Street Farmers Market also has an artist market on Sundays starting in June. Because crafters and non-food vendors do not fall under the essential category, for now they will not be at the markets. Both Radamacher and Eardley said they remain hopeful that as guidelines change, non-essential vendors will be able to be added.
It was a good morning for every school district in Kent County that had a millage or bond issue in yesterday’s election — they all passed including Kelloggsville’s request for a 1.0 mill sinking fund and Godwin Heights $13.9 million bond request.
The May 5 election was the first time in the state’s history that was totally absentee ballot. All registered voters within school districts with a proposal were mailed absentee applications and local municipalities had voting stations — and in the case of the City of Wyoming, curbside voting — set up on the day of the election.
“We saw a higher turnout then we normally see for a special election,” said Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg, who added that there was about a 14 percent turnout for the May 5 special election with the city usually having about a four to six percent turnout for similar elections.
VandenBerg said there could be a number of factors that contributed to the increase such as absentee applications were direct mailed and since people were home, they had more time to complete the ballot.
“We really weren’t sure what to expect,” VandenBerg said, adding that the entire process went very well. Most of the voting did happen through the mail, with about 40 voters come to city hall to vote, she said.
Playground at Southeast Elementary will benefit from the recently approved 1.0 mill sinking fund. (WKTV)
For the May 5 election, Kelloggsville sought a 1.0 mill sinking fund request over 10 years to help with technology and safety improvements and the repair and construction of school buildings. In the first year, the district would receive $371,073 with West Elementary slated to receive the first round of funding for new carpet, lockers, playground upgrades and repaving the parking lot. Over the next 10 years, about every building within the district would benefit from the sinking fund by receiving roof replacements, classroom updates and parking lot repaving.
Kelloggsville encompasses a portion of the City of Wyoming and the City of Kentwood. With about 15.54 percent of the 8,307 registered voters within the district voting, the measure passed 710 to 576.
“We want to say ‘Thank You’ to our community,” said Eric Alcorn, Kelloggsville’s auxiliary services director. “We truly appreciate the trust they have in us even in these trying times. This is really exciting for our kids, parents, staff, community, and everyone connected to Kelloggsville. The passing of the sinking fund will allow us to make the necessary improvements in our classrooms and facilities throughout the district. We look forward to seeing the results of the annual improvements for the years to come.”
Godwin Heights is in the City of Wyoming. With about 13.69 percent of its 8,130 register voters voting, the bond proposal passed, 653 to 457.
Will there be absentee voting in the fall? That is something the state will have to decide. (WKTV)
The City of Wyoming also has a small portion of voters in the Byron Center Public Schools, which was seeking a bond proposal. With one of the highest turnouts, 37.82 percent of its 20,252 registered voters, the proposal passed 4,805 to 2,830. Interestingly, according to the Kent County election results, none of the 10 City of Wyoming registered voters voted in the May 5 special election.
As to whether the absentee balloting should be done for August and November, which has been mentioned by state leaders, VandenBerg said that the fall elections are a different scale. In the special election, the city was dealing with about 12,000 voters, she said, adding that in the August and November elections, the number of voters is more than 52,000.
“I think there are elements from this election that are worth looking at but as to whether the fall elections should be absentee will be guided by decisions from others,” VandenBerg said.
Metro Health ICU physicians on the frontlines of COVID-19 treatment are also on the leading edge of searching for innovative solutions.
Dr.Ronald G. Grifka, Metro Health’s Chief Medical Officer
Intensive-care doctors Eric Feucht and Matt V. Zaccheo and section chief Dr. Gabriel E. Pedraza are working with Mayo Clinic to research the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19. This therapy was used this month with two Metro Health ICU patients. One recovered and went home, and the other continues to improve.
“This is a promising treatment option and we are proud to contribute to the research,” said Dr.Ronald G. Grifka, Metro Health’s Chief Medical Officer. “The best minds in the world are working on this problem, and scientific collaboration of this sort is essential to finding the solutions.”
Mayo Clinic has been designated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to lead the project in collaboration with research institutions across the country. Metro Health is among the hospitals contributing to the project.
The idea convalescent plasma is more than a century old: A recovered patient’s blood serum is infused in a patient suffering the same disease, in hopes the recovered patient’s antibodies will help resist the viral invasion. This strategy has been used, with varying success, to treat Spanish Flu, SARs, Ebola and other outbreaks – but its effectiveness with COVID-19 is unknown.
The FDA has only approved the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma as an investigational drug. This means it can be considered for use in clinical trials and for expanded use in patients with immediate, life-threatening conditions.
As a participant in the Mayo Clinic research, Metro Health will supply data from its patients who received infusions.
“Along with the scientific rigor, we’re seeing cooperation across the board to bring this investigation up to speed,” Grifka said. “This includes leading research institutions, hospitals and blood centers. Let’s not forget the recovered patients themselves, who are willing to roll up theirsleeves, literally, in hopes that can help others.”
To find out if you are eligible to donate your plasma, click here.
Two members of the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network (GRAMAN), working recently to provide grocery deliveries to households in need. (Supplied/GRAMAN)
The Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network was formed recently in response to the COVID-19 crisis to offer direct neighbor-to-neighbor help to “neighbors in need” in the Grand Rapids area, specifically the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, and Walker.
Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network (GRAMAN) spokesperson Raina Cook told WKTV the group’s initial focus was to “provide grocery deliveries to households every day and provide financial assistance to marginalized people.”
But the group also recently joined a statewide effort to advocate for renters in COVID-19 financial hardship, and also joined the new local La Luncha fund to support “under-documented” and “mixed-status” families who are Kent County residents — an effort which has already gained financial backing from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
The graphic of Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network (GRAMAN). (Supplied/GRAMAN)
“GRAMAN is made up of volunteers who feel pulled to help members of the community who are struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis,” Cook said to WKTV. “Our giving circle is comprised of marginalized individuals who make decisions as to who we are able to give financial assistance to. This ensures that groups who have been affected by social disparities are prioritized.
“As a group of neighbors helping neighbors rather than a non-profit entity, we rely solely on contributions from the community and volunteer efforts. To date we have received over $50,000 in contributions that will go directly back to the community.”
Cook said Wyoming and Kentwood residents who want to request assistance can do so by filling out a form at tinyurl.com/GRAMAN-Financial.
Cook added that before filling out the form, they are asking people to check to make sure whether someone in your household has already done so.
“If you have already completed this form, regardless of what was requested or offered, you do not need to fill it out again. If you have already been in contact with a member of our team, please reach out to them,” according to GRAMAN. “Due to the high volume of requests we are currently receiving, it may take a few days for us to get in touch with you. In the meantime, we suggest checking out this list of resources we’ve compiled” at tinyurl.com/GR-Resources.
Working with La Lucha fund
In late April, eight community organizations, also acting in response to COVID-19, established the La Lucha Fund, a fund that will grant short-term emergency aid to undocumented, under-documented and mixed-status families in Kent County — families who are not eligible for unemployment, CARES Act relief or other government support.
“La lucha” means “the struggle” or “the fight” in Spanish.
The La Lucha Fund is a collaboration between Movimiento Cosecha, the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, the Latino Community Coalition, Latina Network of West Michigan, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and West Michigan Latino Network.
“We developed a partnership when La Lucha fund started in order to address the needs of thousands of under-documented folks in the Greater Grand Rapids area,” Cook said. “We had already been taking and meeting requests for groceries and cash for the under-documented — the folks working on La Lucha fund consulted with us and built off of our systems to create the system for La Lucha fund.”
Working to support renters under financial stress
Also in late April, a Michigan statewide group including Detroit Renter City, Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, Together We Are Safe, Lansing Tenants Union, Greater Kalamazoo Area Renters Union, and No Rent MI called upon Lansing leaders to consider the suspension of rent, the extension of the moratorium on evictions, and a moratorium on all utility shut-offs.
“This grassroots coalition of tenant organizations are seeking to highlight the precarious situation that Michigan tenants find themselves in and the failure of the State to seriously address the looming housing and public health crisis in the age of COVID-19,” a press release from the group stated.
“We are working … to advocate for renter protections during the COVID-19 crisis and recovery period,” Cook said. “GRAMAN has aligned itself with these groups because we share the same goals in regards to making sure people are able to stay in their homes when so many other things are uncertain.”
The focus of the action is persons unable to afford rent — and facing homelessness — due to a slow unemployment filing process and the inability to gain assistance from other government programs. According to other media reports, Michigan unemployment claims have passed 1.2 million, with 81,000 new unemployment claims the last week of April.
In an earlier statement, Cook said “in Grand Rapids, landlords have been pressuring tenants to pay their rent and threatening them despite the current eviction moratorium” in Michigan.
“There is a statewide moratorium on evictions through May 15, but that is not sufficient,” Cook said to WKTV. “Undocumented individuals, for example, are not eligible for the stimulus payment. Many Michigan residents have been unable to receive unemployment benefits, as the unemployment agency is seriously overwhelmed. People are struggling to feed their families right now, and a rent freeze would give them some relief during this unprecedented crisis.”
Cook said GRAMAN is currently compiling information from renters with the goal of building a tenants union that would help renters support one another. She said Grand Rapids area renters can fill out a form to aid in that effort at tinyurl.com/twastenantsupport.
Additionally, No Rent Michigan is calling for the immediate suspension of rent collection and elimination of past-due rent as well as an extension of the eviction moratorium to 60 days after the end of the current state of emergency, as well as a moratorium on utility shutoffs, Cook said. And there is a petition is circulating to urge state lawmakers to enact these measures at https://tinyurl.com/mipetition.
How to get involved with GRAMAN
For more information about the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, or to get more involved, persons can email the group at grmutualaid@gmail.com — and they say they would “especially love help with intake and coordination.” Also, donations to the mutual aid fund can be made at tinyurl.com/GGRMutualAid.
Due to COVID-19, the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission has announced that the city’s Concerts in the Park has been cancelled for 2020. (City of Wyoming)
The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission announced over the weekend that the 2020 Wyoming Concerts in the Park season has been cancelled.
The cancelation is a result of COVID-19, according to the committee’s chairperson Renee Gardner, who made the announcement on the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.
“We work hard to bringing this event to our community each year, enjoying music and dancing with all of you,” Gardner posted. “As the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission, we made this decision out of concern for the safety of our volunteers and loyal attendees.”
According to John Sinkevics, publisher of Local Spins, a West Michigan music website, concerns for many of outdoor venue organizers has centered around social distancing and keeping patrons safe. In a recent Eric Zane Show, Celebration! Cinema Vice President of Programming Ron Van Timmeren mentioned that when area theaters are allowed to open how social distancing will impact the venues has been a topic of discussion. Before the Stay Home, Stay Safe order went into effect on March 24, most local theaters were blocking out seats to help maintain social distancing.
Patty Williams, who coordinates the annual Sounds of Summer at Cutlerville’s Cutler Park, which is in July, has confirmed that the four-concert series will be taking place. Also, the Lowell Chamber has confirmed its Lowell Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts will take place various evenings from July 2 – Aug. 29.
“We will be meeting over the summer to plan something special,” she wrote, adding that the commission hopes its fans “stay safe and healthy. We can’t wait to see you at our next concert.”
The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission is looking to fill vacancies on the planning of the annual Wyoming Concerts in the Park event. Volunteers are needed to help plan the 2021 season. Those interested may email WyomingCEC_info@Wyoimingmi.gov or message the group on Facebook.
Kent County’s Health Department’s Keep MI Healthy online screening application, which help health officials track potential COVID-19 hotspots, is now available in Spanish.
The app, which the county describes as a “secure, anonymous, web-based survey” was originally launched in English on April 13 and “provides health officials with valuable data that could potentially identify future COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ in Kent County.”
“Our ability to respond to this pandemic depends upon timely, accurate, and multi-sourced data,” Adam London, Kent County Health Department director, said in supplied material. “The information gathered through this survey will provide us with an additional layer of data to make strategic decisions on how we use our resources.”
The survey, now in both English and Spanish, asks: Are you experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms or not? To complete the survey, residents will be asked to answer four personal identification questions including year of birth, gender, county, and zip code.
All data will be kept confidential and housed in a secure database, according to the health department. Under licensed agreements, health care professionals, hospitals, and local health departments will have access to the anonymous data to learn more about the community’s health in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID- 19.
To complete the survey, go to keepmihealthy.org/ and click “Get Started!” … or “Emperezar!” in Spanish.
Upon completion, residents can optionally provide their mobile phone number to receive a daily text reminder to take the survey. By taking the survey daily, it will ensure health officials are making decisions based on the most current information available.
To learn more, review the frequently asked questions document at keepmihealthy.org/faq.
The application was designed by local technology developer OST.
Recycling at Kent County’s recycling center will resume May 4. (Note: this file photo shows a worker prior to newly instated safety protections and equipment). (Supplied/KCDPW)
The Kent County Recycling Center in Grand Rapids, which closed to all inbound loads of recyclables March 27 to limit exposures to COVID-19 to Kent County staff and workers, will come back online Monday, May 4, the Kent County Department of Public Works announced April 30.
Not only was the main recycling center — where household recyclable material is accepted, separated and processed for other uses — not accepting any recyclables but Kent County’s South Kent and North Kent transfer station were not as well.
Starting Monday, the main downtown center and the North Kent center will now be accepting household recyclables, although neither facility will be open on Saturdays at this time, according to the Department of Public Works (DPW) statement.
The DPW statement also acknowledged that dutiful recyclers were finding their bottles, cans and papers piling up.
So DPW is “celebrating” the restart by inviting recyclers to post photos of the recyclables they’ve been storing while the drop-off sites have been closed, tagging #returnofrecycling on Instagram or Facebook, or sending an email to recycle@kentcountymi.gov.
The Kent County Department of Public Works’ Recycling Center in Grand Rapids is coming back online, and so people can resume recyclables pick-up and drop-off. (U.S. Army)
“We thank residents who have stored their recyclables during the shutdown for their patience and commitment to recycling and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills,” Kristen Wieland, DPW communications manager, said in supplied material. “We encourage anyone with recyclables piling up in their garages to begin putting them out at the curb for collection now that we’re operating again.”
The DPW, in the statement, urged residents with stockpiled materials to recycle to follow the established guidelines for recycling in Kent County, which are available in the recycling guide on its website. (A graphic of which is shown below.)
If residents have been storing materials for recycling in bags or other containers, they are asked to remove all materials from bags before dropping them off or placing them in a recycling cart. If residents use a recycling drop-off station, they are reminded to keep 6-feet of distance between themselves and other recyclers.
“We’ve heard countless stories from dedicated recyclers who have been holding on to their recyclables and now have overflowing garages,” Wieland said. “I’m sure people are excited to get some of their space back, knowing their recycling is going to get processed and put back into new products.”
In addition to worker safety, the shutdown was necessary due to disruptions in recycling markets for processed materials. As other manufacturing processors shut down their facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kent County DPW’s ability to get recyclables to processors and end-users was constricted.
But Kent County DPW has now confirmed material sorted at the recycling center will be accepted by processors.
Early in March, the Recycling & Education Center received upgrades to its paper sorting equipment. These upgrades will improve the quality of paper sent to paper mills and will significantly reduce the daily maintenance time spent keeping the screens clean. The upgraded equipment also helps to keep workers safe by avoiding tangles that forced equipment shutdowns in the past.
The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste. Additionally, Public Works operates the Kent County Waste-to-Energy Facility, an electrical generation facility. More information about the Kent County Department of Public Works facilities is available at reimaginetrash.org.
There have been a few nice days these past couple of weeks and the weekend at least is looking dry, which means that many residents might be heading outside to do some lawn work. Good news if you are in the City of Wyoming: the city has opened its Yard Waste Drop-Off Site, located 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW.
Due to social distancing, the hours will follow similar to the city’s snow plowing days. Those with addresses ending in an an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7) may drop off on Monday and Wednesday and those with addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) may drop off on Tuesday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday will be open to all residents. The hours for the site are from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Only 15 cars will be allowed in the area at one time. Staff is asking everyone to be patient as the new guidelines may cause some delays in getting into the drop-off area.
Also, those coming to the site must wear a mask and have proof of residency such as a valid photo ID or a city water/sewer bill, property tax bill or tax assessment.
Items should be sorted and placed in the correct pile. There is a leaves and grass pile for leaves, plants, flowers, and grass clippings and a brush pile for sticks, branches, bushes, and stumps less than three-feet in diameter.
Leaf and plastic bags are not accepted, so if you bring them, you must leave with them. Also not accepted is sod, dirt, rock, stones, sand, RR ties, treated wood, fencing, shingles, concrete, asphalt, furniture, carpet, glass, garbage, scrap metal, appliance, paint, and chemicals. Basically, if it does not grow on the lawn, it is not welcomed.
To enter the Yard Waste Drop-Off Site, you must make a right turn from the north bound lane of Burlingame Avenue. At the guard shack, show your proof of residency. You should wear a mask and stay six-feet apart from other people. To exit, you will need to make a right-hand turn on to Burlingame Avenue.
