COVID-19 cases on rise in Mid-Michigan

Michigan’s stay-at-home order was not extended by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after June 12, opening the possibility for students to return to classes, allowing restaurants and bars to open in person dining, and retail stores to open with safety restrictions in place. 

Since then, COVID-19 cases in the state have been on the rise in mid-Michigan, and statewide according the State of Michigan’s COVID-19 data. CDC guidelines have been released on how to mitigate the virus, but ideas differ based on what is happening in each community, in which health professionals and experts are being put to the task on finding ways that work for their community.  

Courtesy of Jad Safadi

The question remains: Is it safe to resume certain activities, like dining out, going to public gatherings and shopping? Central Michigan University associate professor, and Division Director of Health Administration at CMU, Nailya Delellis said that financial reasons and quality of education are some wide-spread attempt to bring students back to college campuses, but still had some doubts about this being a possibility as cases are rising in the mid-Michigan area. Courtesy of Jad Safadi

“The National Institute of Health (NIH) in March stated that virus may stay on surfaces up to three days; how many people will be touching same door handle in a dorm or in a classroom,” said Delellis.  “If classes starts on Aug. 17, and if according to World Health Organization (WHO) incubation period is from five to six to 14 days, you will see a spike by the end of August.