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Morning Briefing Oct. 7, 2021: Facebook outage impacted Metro Detroit businesses, President Biden making economic case for COVID shots

Here are this morning’s top stories

This photo shows the mobile phone app logos for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp (Richard Drew, Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

‘Rely on it every day’: How Facebook, Instagram outage impacted Metro Detroit businesses

Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are back up and running after a massive global outage Monday.

It may sound like a minor inconvenience, but at a time where we are depending on technology to stay connected, a few hours of disconnect can and did make a big impact on Metro Detroit businesses.

See the report here.


Biden, a convert to mandates, making economic case for shots

President Joe Biden is wielding his weapon of last resort in the nation’s fight against COVID-19, as he champions vaccination requirements across the country in an effort to force the roughly 67 million unvaccinated American adults to roll up their sleeves.

It’s a tactic he never wanted to employ — and had ruled out before he took office — but one that he feels he was forced into by a stubborn slice of the public that has refused to get the lifesaving shots and jeopardized the lives of others and the nation’s economic recovery.

In coming weeks, more than 100 million Americans will be subject to vaccine requirements ordered by Biden — and his administration is encouraging employers to take additional steps voluntarily that would push vaccines on people or subject them to onerous testing requirements.

Read more here.


💵 How the ‘no spend’ challenge can improve your buying habits


Pfizer officially requests FDA emergency use authorization of COVID vaccine in kids 5-11

Pfizer and BioNTech have officially submitted a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use Authorization of their COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11.

Thursday’s announcement from Pfizer comes a week after the drugmaker submitted data to the FDA from the Phase 2/3 trial of its COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11 years of age. U.S. regulators and public health officials are now expected to review the evidence and consult with their advisory committees in public meetings to determine if the shots are safe and effective enough to recommend use.

Learn more here.


University of Michigan report shows more than 2,100 claims of abuse by Dr. Robert Anderson

The University of Michigan’s annual security and fire safety report saw a huge jump in sex crimes in 2020. As the report explains, it’s attributable to the complaints filed against Dr. Robert Anderson once the investigation went public.

Of the 1,212 rape accusations, 1,194 were against Anderson. Of the 947 fondling complaints, 916 are against Anderson as well as one off-campus rape.

See the story here.


⚖️ 100-year-old former Nazi camp guard goes on trial in Germany


General Motors’ promise for the future: Double revenue, lead in electric cars

General Motors is hosting its 2021 investor day pitching Wall Street on its plans to double revenue to $280 billion by 2030 and showcasing its plans for electric vehicles and new technology.

Wednesday was the first of a two-day event which started at the Warren Tech Center and will finish Tuesday at the proving grounds in Milford.

“We’ve changed the world before and we’re going to do it again,” said CEO Mary Barra.

See the report here.


Electric scooters inside carjacked Penske truck allow police to track vehicle, suspect in Redford Township

Police around Metro Detroit were on the lookout Wednesday night for a Penske truck carjacked at Wayne State University. However, police were able to track the truck because of what was in the back.

See more here.


🔒 4YI: When do you have to stop for a school bus in Michigan?


Weather: Showers on the way 🌧️


COVID in Michigan 🦠

Michigan reported 7,674 new cases of COVID-19 and 92 virus-related deaths Wednesday -- an average of 3,837 cases over the past two days.

Of the 92 deaths announced Wednesday, 47 were identified during a review of records.

Wednesday’s update brings the total number of confirmed COVID cases in Michigan to 1,047,011, including 21,231 deaths. These numbers are up from 1,039,337 cases and 21,139 deaths, as of Monday.

Testing has increased to around 30,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, with the 7-day positive rate at 10.61% as of Wednesday, slightly lower than the previous week due to the increasing test volume. Hospitalizations have been steadily increasing for several weeks.

The state’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 3,491 on Wednesday -- the highest it has been since early May. The 7-day death average was 35 on Wednesday. The state’s fatality rate is 2.1%. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 94,700 on Wednesday.

Michigan has reported more than 10 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered as of Wednesday, with 68.3% of 16+ residents having received at least one dose while 59.5% of 16+ residents are considered fully vaccinated.

Here’s a look at more of the data:


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About the Author
Cassidy Johncox headshot

Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.

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