The British government plans to burn billions of dollars in unusable protective equipment purchased during the coronavirus pandemic.

Founder of the Ann Arbor-based Operation Face Shield has launched a first aid donation effort for Ukraine.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the first influenza-related child death in Michigan for the 2021-2022 flu season.

Leaders of the Henry Ford Health System provided an update Thursday morning on the status of COVID hospitalizations and the virus’ impact on operations.

Spain’s medical community has scored a victory after a court ordered that a regional government compensate doctors with up to 49,000 euros ($56,000) for having to work without personal protection suits during the devastating early months of the pandemic.

Michigan’s fight against COVID-19 is at yet another critical point as 20% of Michigan hospital beds are filled with COVID patients.

The Green Bay Packers were fined $300,000 and quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Allen Lazard were fined $14,650 by the NFL for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols.

Thailand’s already locked down capital shut parks and the few remaining public places available to residents Friday, as the country registered a new high of coronavirus infections.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there were calls for donations and fundraisers for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to protect frontline workers against coronavirus.

Michigan businesses with COVID-19 safety protocols could retroactively seek a refund for sales taxes paid on personal protective equipment, disinfecting products and plexiglass barriers under bills nearing the desk of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Across the border from a devastating surge in India, doctors in Nepal are warning of a major crisis as daily coronavirus cases hit a record and hospitals are running out of beds and oxygen.

Discarded masks and gloves worn by people to protect against the coronavirus pandemic are turning up on beaches around the world.

Von der Leyen also announced during the meeting an additional 100 million euros ($121.4 million) to support vaccination campaigns in Africa in partnership with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The funding will be used to strengthen health systems, ensure the cold chains, buy equipment and train staff," von der Leyen said. She added that the EU would discuss with drugmakers how they can ramp up their COVID-19 vaccine production capacity in Africa. COVAX hopes to deploy some 336 million doses by the end of June, and around 2 billion doses by the end of the year. In addition to its COVAX contribution, the EU said it wants to share some of its doses with neighbors in Europe and Africa.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Stella and Maybree are two Ann Arbor girls who have been best friends since kindergarten. The two sixth graders have grown up figuring out ways to help others and when they saw the news reports of health care workers in need, they wanted to help. They saw news stories about health care workers who were struggling to get the personal protection equipment they needed. Stella and Maybree took it all in, not as 11-year-olds, but as humans who simply care about other humans. They decided to raise money to help Henry Ford Health System’s COVID emergency relief efforts.

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)Here’s what’s happening Wednesday with the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.:THREE THINGS TO KNOW TODAY— Coronavirus deaths in the U.S. hit another one-day high at over 4,300 with the country’s attention focused largely on the fallout from the deadly uprising at the Capitol. The country is now in the most lethal phase of the outbreak yet, even as vaccines are being rolled out. — An ongoing study suggests that older American adults are showing resilience and perseverance despite struggles with loneliness and isolation during the pandemic. THE NUMBERS: The U.S. is averaging about 249,000 new cases per day, and about 3,300 deaths. ___Find AP’s full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

California health authorities reported Thursday a record two-day total of 1,042 coronavirus deaths as many hospitals strain under unprecedented caseloads. The virus is surging in several states, with California hit particularly hard, reporting on Thursday a record two-day total of 1,042 coronavirus deaths. On Wednesday, the day a horde of protesters breached the U.S. Capitol, disrupting efforts to certify the election of Joe Biden, the U.S. recorded 3,865 virus deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. “Real life turned out to be much worse.”In California, health authorities Thursday reported 583 new deaths, a day after 459 people died. Florida broke its record for the highest single-day number of cases with over 19,800, while its death toll reached 22,400.

The competitive scramble by states to buy personal protective equipment this spring stuck some businesses with big bills. An Associated Press analysis of state purchasing data during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic found that states canceled billions of dollars in PPE orders. Many of the cancellations occurred when businesses couldn't get the products to states under tight deadlines or when prices rose. Many businesses that jumped in to help this spring soon found themselves facing delays from suppliers and, in some cases, having orders canceled by states too impatient to wait. For other companies, their first venture into selling personal protective equipment is still causing headaches.

The AP tallied more than $7 billion in purchases by states this spring for personal protective equipment, or PPE, and high-demand medical devices such as ventilators and infrared thermometers. Some governors described the early personal protective equipment marketplace as the Wild West, where supplies often went to the highest bidder, even if they had already been promised to someone else. This spring, states paid an average of $3 each, according to the AP's analysis. The largest supplier of personal protective equipment to states this spring had never sold a single mask before the pandemic. Others, however, were more than willing to describe how personal protective equipment sales provided a lifeline at the onset of the pandemic.

California spent the most during the pandemic's initial months — at least $1.5 billion in the AP's data — followed by Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington. Traditional safety equipment suppliers also saw a surge in PPE sales, offsetting their losses from other products amid the sudden recession. Many of the companies in the AP's data set are not publicly traded and thus can keep their financial figures private. Others, however, were more than willing to describe how PPE sales provided a lifeline at the onset of the pandemic. The AP's data for the spring includes just over $50 million in PPE sales to states by the Salem, New Hampshire, company.

ANN ARBOR – Kevin Leeser has been active in organizing donations of PPE since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and now that includes cleaning supplies. Leeser, who launched Operation Face Shield Ann Arbor, recently donated 500 face shields to the Lakota people in South Dakota who have experienced high case numbers. After they asked for cleaning supplies for their quarantined members, Leeser decided to rally the local community to donate supplies, which he is delivering himself this week. Read: Ann Arbor’s Operation Face Shield surpasses 50K donationsFor those who wish to donate funds, tax deductible donations can still be made to “Operation Face Shield” via CashApp. Local businesses Jerusalem Garden and Stadium Hardware donated supplies over the weekend.

Project DIAMOnD (Distributed, Independent, Agile, Manufacturing On-Demand) was created to address the need to move companies into digital manufacturing as quickly. Instead of giving grant money, the organization is giving grant equipment to up profits while also helping fight the global pandemic by building the United States' largest network of 3D printer users. An Industry 4.0 Assessment: outlining where their business stands today and what digital opportunities best fit their needs. Connections and introductions: to state-of-the art vendors and applied research that can help them along their path to Industry 4.0. A financial investment: will be granted to purchase Industry 4.0 and state-of-the art digital technologies.

Britain's public spending watchdog says the government spent billions, without proper transparency, in a scramble to secure protective equipment early in the coronavirus outbreak. Like many countries, the U.K. was caught without enough masks, gowns, gloves and other items to keep health care workers and the public safe as coronavirus cases skyrocketed. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)LONDON – The British government spent billions without proper transparency in a scramble to secure protective equipment early in the coronavirus outbreak, the country’s public watchdog said Wednesday. Some came from a “high-priority lane” of firms referred by politicians, health professionals and government officials, which were considered more credible and processed more quickly than others. In more than half the cases, contracts had not been published by Nov. 10.

ANN ARBOR – Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company has continued to grow. (Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company)Pandemic salesOnce the pandemic hit, like many businesses across the nation, Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company had to temporarily shut down. An employee makes a face shield at the company warehouse at 505 S. Maple Rd. (Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company)Preparing for another shutdown in the fall, they moved their production schedule forward. To learn more about Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company, visit www.annarbortees.com.

They include Nebraska and South Dakota, where the number of new cases topped previous highs for each state. But this fall's resurgence of the virus, despite being far more widespread, has brought a decidedly more limited response in many states. Most are led by Republican governors backing a president who insists, falsely, that the country is getting the virus under control. “At the end of the day, personal responsibility is the only way. “I believe in personal responsibility and that it is our responsibility as American citizens to choose if we want to wear it or not,” she said.

ANN ARBOR – For the first time in 123 years, the Michigan Marching Band band will be performing virtually. The band has adapted to a virtual format for performances, and will be releasing its first digital show in November. Michigan Marching Band’s 56th drum major, senior Walter Aguilar, said he has shifted his focus to keep the spirit of the 400-member band alive during these unprecedented times. “My focus has been on translating the traditions and excitement to new members in order to keep the community and spirit of the Michigan Marching Band thriving,” Aguilar said in a statement. 🎉👏#GoBlue #MMBandTogether pic.twitter.com/z8cRdbYnP3 — Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands (@umichband) October 4, 2020For many students, their second time in uniform on the field this season was for a September photo shoot.

ANN ARBOR – At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan in March, local residents launched Operation Face Shield in response to the shortage of personal protective equipment. Operation Face Shield organizer Kevin Leeser said the group just surpassed 50,000 donations -- about enough to fill the stands in the old Tigers stadium. Operation Face Shield teamed up with medical relief Global Links to send the PPE to Nicaragua and Honduras. Ricardo mass-produced thousands of films, and combined with the invention of an injection mold at Ferris State University which could churn out six frames a minute, Operation Face Shield went from small at-home effort to large-scale operation. Leeser said that Operation Face Shield currently has 2,000 shields ready to donate.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – With flu season starting, Ann Arbor Pharmacy pharmacist and owner Ziad Ghamraoui is worried about a double whammy this flu season. A curbside pickup table at Ann Arbor Pharmacy. To further reduce possible exposure or contamination, Ann Arbor Pharmacy also froze its medical waste take-back program. Ann Arbor Pharmacy has implemented strict safety precautions while remaining open during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (Ann Arbor Pharmacy)As Ann Arbor Pharmacy approaches its two-year anniversary, Ghamraoui said that he is very thankful for the community’s support.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Adaptive Energy, an Ann Arbor fuel-cell manufacturer turned personal protective equipment manufacturer, has donated PPE to the Michigan Department of State ahead of the November election. The $57,000 donation comes in the form of hand sanitizer, touchless door openers and face shields for polling places and election offices. The PPE is intended to help protect election workers and voters who visit polling places and election offices from the coronavirus (COVID-19). In March, the fuel-cell manufacturer switched to making PPE with its 30 members team in Ann Arbor. Edison and Adaptive Energy owner Ranvir Gujral established Arbor Apothecary to make intubation boxes and medical face shields.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Resident advisors at the University of Michigan have ended their nearly two-week strike after reaching a deal with the university. Residential Staff members demanded more protections including regular access to testing for all residence staff, and enforcement of the university mask and social distancing mandates in dining and residence halls. We’d like to thank everyone that supported us during our strike, especially GEO, AFT, our regents, our LT, & everyone on campus that supported us. GEO members had been on strike since Tuesday, Sept. 8 calling on university leadership to ensure better protections from COVID-19 on campus. That strike ended on Thursday, Sept. 17 after a vote from GEO members the previous evening.

A business in Commerce Township is jumping in to help Detroit school students, donating 60,000 reusable masks. Fred Hajjar, of Mask Market, is working with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to make sure every student has a mask. Its a two ply mask, Hajjar said. Mask Market saved and raised $200,000 for the donation. Were donating masks, and this was an opportunity to give back to the community, Hajjar said.

FILE - In this May 22, 2019, file photo, Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president, speaks to the media during the owners meetings in Key Biscayne, Fla. The NFL will consult an advisory committee made up of former coaches, general managers and players on such issues as postponing, moving or even canceling games this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Vincent said Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 that the advisers, who will report to Commissioner Roger Goodell, will help avoid any inequities in those decisions. Vincent did not identify any members of the panel, saying he was awaiting their approval to do so. Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, noted that setting firm schedules for anything during the pandemic is foolhardy.

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)FULLERTON, Calif. Theres red tape running along the floor of the coronavirus unit at St. Judes Medical Center in Fullerton, California. The Associated Press spent several days in the coronavirus unit at St. Judes and followed four nurses and their families after their shifts were over. She started a new job at St. Judes in March, returning to a field very different from the one she had left before giving birth. Eleanor gave up her own part-time night nursing shifts at St. Judes so she could stay home with the kids. They felt safe with St. Judes preparations and plans, and the feared shortage of protective equipment hadn't hit Southern California.

DETROIT With 700 students seeing patients and members of the public at two facilities, five students at University of Detroit Mercys School of Dentistry have tested positive for COVID-19. The fact that five students tested positive wasnt the essence of the story, dean Aksu said. The other two students who tested positive are believed to have picked up the virus off campus through community exposure. As the time since the last positive test grows, the likelihood of more positive cases declines every day. In making our decisions, we rely on the CDC guidelines, the ADA practice guidelines, and local experts like I am including below.

DETROIT What is the correct way to wear a mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19)? Many people wear it pulled down below their nose, but does that defeat the purpose of wearing a mask at all? Unfortunately, relative to spreading COVID-19, the nose also appears to be at an advantage over the mouth. A recent published study mapped locations in the respiratory tract where the virus most quickly invades, replicates and spreads. Researchers suggested based on their findings that the virus doesnt get to the lungs through the blood or by sequentially marching lower down the respiratory tract.

Gretchen Whitmer strengthened her mask rules Friday, but she also revealed the five exceptions that would allow someone to be inside businesses or public places without a mask. Children younger than five years oldChildren who are younger than five years old don’t have to follow the Michigan mask rules. Voting in electionResidents who go to a polling place for the purpose of voting in an election don’t have to wear masks. Mask order updateExecutive Order 2020-153 clarified Whitmer’s previous mask order. The order says public safety officers have to wear face coverings unless that would seriously interfere with doing their jobs.

Gretchen Whitmer strengthened her mask rules Friday, most notably saying that businesses can’t assume unmasked customers have medical justification for entering without a mask and must ask them to confirm. READ: Here are the 5 exceptions to Whitmer’s COVID-19 mask rulesExecutive Order 2020-153 clarified Whitmer’s previous mask order. The new order also requires public safety officers to wear face coverings unless that would seriously interfere with doing their jobs. “Wearing a mask is the right thing to do to protect our families, our businesses and our economy,” Whitmer said. Wearing a mask is a simple step that protects everyone.”Here are the five exceptions to Whitmer’s face covering rules:Children younger than five years old.

On July 20, WISD will launch Safe Schools Washtenaw, a donation drive to collect hard-to-find items like personal protective equipment, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer for students and school employees. Safe Schools Washtenaw is also raising $500,000 to donate to 108 Washtenaw County schools so that they can purchase additional supplies and PPE in order to meet new state COVID-19 guidelines. Community members and businesses can participate by dropping-off donated items, purchasing items from the Safe Schools Washtenaw Amazon Wishlist or donating funds to WISD. Cash or check donations to Safe Schools Washtenaw can be made to: Washtenaw Intermediate School District Safe Schools Washtenaw c/o Sarah Hierman, 1819 S. Wagner Road, P.O. For more information regarding Safe Schools Washtenaw, visit www.washtenawisd.org/covid-19/safe-schools-washtenaw.

DETROIT Warm weather across the country is driving people to the comfort of indoor air conditioning -- but some were wondering if it was a good idea amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. A detailed investigation concluded that the virus was most likely spread to distant tables by the flow of air from the air conditioner. One important concern is that air conditioning systems could either blow the aerosol more quickly from an infected person to nearby people or by recirculating the air, could spread virus even farther. High efficiency HEPA filtration systems would trap infectious particles in the air stream, specific wavelengths of ultraviolet lights embedded in the duct work or near air registers could kill virus, and finally existing systems could be redesigned to bring in fresh uncirculated outdoor air to dilute any infectious particles in the air. Whether its summer or winter -- all businesses and schools should begin to consider how they can efficiently improve indoor air quality.

While medical staff are working to save lives from COVID-19, its the contact tracers who can actually stop the spread. Benoit worked as a community health analyst until March, when she was reassigned to be a contact tracer. When tracers are unable to reach close contacts, she said it can be upsetting. Right now, were seeing that those situations are where most of our close contacts are coming from, Benoit said. We truly truly care about the health and well-being of the people that were contacting, Benoit said.

DETROIT – Many people have wondered just how effective cloth masks can really be against the coronavirus (COVID-19). Health officials are saying one hair salon demonstrates exactly how important they are in the fight. But the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention used a hair stylist at a Great Clips in Springfield, Missouri, in a published report. A second stylist also developed symptoms during that time and continued working until the coworker tested positive. The stylists and their clients were following city and company policy by wearing either cotton face masks or surgical-style masks.

DETROIT Now that face coverings are a requirement in Michigan, more people are interested in whether face shields might be a suitable alternative to masks. Face coverings are widely accepted by the scientific community as one of the tools that decrease the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In certain cases, face shields might be acceptable. Researchers used a cough simulator and found that face shields reduced a persons exposure to large cough droplets by 96%. The bottom line is that if a person cant tolerate a mask or there is an important need to see someones facial expressions, face shields can be useful options.

The strict new rules are aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but there are concerns that some businesses and residents wont obey. Haidar Koussan, the owner of Greenland Market in Dearborn said at first, customers didnt believe there was a dangerous virus going around. They would argue about wearing a mask, Koussan said. Though its far from perfect, the process of wearing masks and having businesses enforce the rule has to start at the front door. Some dont watch the news and some didnt know about masks, but participation was 100% on Monday, the owner said.

LANSING, Mich. Michigan officials are warning of fake face mask exempt cards that have been circulated by some groups in an effort to bypass wearing face coverings in businesses and locations where they are required amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These groups are trying to spread misinformation about the use of face coverings, and the unfortunate outcome is that they are also endangering the lives of many people, Nessel said. COVID-19 cases have been increasing at a more rapid rate than previous weeks in Michigan and across the country. The chart shows a high risk of COVID-19 transmission when no face coverings are worn, and the least risk of transmission when coverings are worn by both parties. (MDHHS)Click here to learn more about face coverings and their effectiveness for slowing the spread of COVID-19 from the CDC.

A doctors association warns that physicians offices are closed because they cannot get masks and other supplies. In general, supplies of protective gear are more robust now, and many states and major hospital chains say they are in better shape. As of mid-June, for example, Montana had received 1,125 items of protective gear per case, compared with 32 items per case in Massachusetts, an early hot spot. States including California, Iowa and Nebraska, all of which have seen a surge in confirmed infections, received among the lowest amounts of protective gear from FEMA per case, according to the AP analysis. A nonprofit group called #GetUsPPE was established in March by physicians to help distribute donated protective gear.

DETROIT Public health officials strongly recommend using face coverings to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but not all masks are created equal. To demonstrate the differences between masks, researchers from the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University created a visual simulation. READ: How people ignoring safety measures, packing into bars has led to COVID-19 spikeResearchers werent trying to create the perfect model of droplet and aerosol spread through masks. They also showed the effect a light breeze had on the aerosol spread. A homemade stitched fabric mask did a much better job of reducing the amount of aerosol spread into the air.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Utilizing its 32,000-square foot factory space, Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company has made 25,000 face shields to help the community combat the COVID-19 virus. Co-owner of Ann Arbor T-shirt Company Jerry Kozak said while the COVID-19 pandemic started to impact other businesses, his business was secure. At that point, it became kind of a weird survivors guilt-thing where we were doing well but were in Ann Arbor, and the students got sent home before graduation, Kozak said emphasizing the impacts the pandemic had on Ann Arbor. The mouthguard company didnt have space or manpower to make the extra face shields, but Ann Arbor T-shirt Company did. Ann Arbor T-shirt Company is at 505 S. Maple Rd.

DETROIT With coronavirus case numbers down, health officials are stressing the need to stay vigilant about social distancing and wearing masks in order to to maintain the downward trend. June 18, 2020 update: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 60,618; Death toll now at 5,818How much can social distancing, wearing a mask and eye protection help? RELATED: Should you be wearing a mask outside during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis? When it came to eye protection, the risk was dropped to 6 percent. Fit test failures correlated with increased number of hours worn, number of days used and number of times put on and taken off.

Many are looking for ways to maximize their mask benefit and since the surface of copper is a known antimicrobial, can a copper-infused mask help? Thats where the idea that using copper fibers or infusing fabric with copper could improve a mask wearers protection. What about the things that get trapped in or on the mask -- could copper help there? Theres some fun science behind the idea of using a copper in a mask, but no evidence suggests it would be safer. Additionally, the primary purpose of a mask is to prevent the user from spreading their own germs, and a copper mask wont change that.

DETROIT Almost everyone in Michigan has worn a mask during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but is there any truth to recent social media posts claiming people are getting sick due to wearing masks for an extended period of time? Social media claimsBut a post making the rounds on social media is claiming its dangerous to wear a mask. Dr. McGeorge put that claim to the test with the Trust Index. Gasses such as oxygen and carbon dioxide freely pass in and out of the masks, making any significant buildup of exhaled carbon dioxide impossible, Dr. McGeorge said. It does take a little while to get used to wearing a mask, but its not harmful.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Undergraduate students from the University of Michigan have been raising funds through the Blue Mask Initiative to buy KN-95 masks for front line healthcare workers at elder nursing homes. Created in May by University of Michigan students Adhavan Arivalagan and Akash Rau, the Blue Mask Initiative was started to help with the lack of personal protective equipment for staff members working with a vulnerable population. Blue Mask Initiative joined similar groups at other schools and community organizations, including Michigan State University, Northville High School and Detroit Country Day, to expand the reach of the initiative. According to OFarrell, the organization had over 80 student members who used their social networks to fundraise and raise awareness about the mask initiative. The Blue Mask Initiative campaign ended on May 31.

A new online portal from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is helping businesses secure personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees as businesses start to reopen around the state amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. MORE: Heres everything thats reopening this week across entire state of MichiganThe free COVID-19 Procurement Platform connects businesses in need of PPE with businesses that have the supplier capacity to meet their demand, officials said. Both businesses who are in need of PPE and those who are able to supply it are encouraged to use the platform. Officials say they are verifying the legitimacy of PPE suppliers requesting to be on the portal. Click here to visit the COVID-19 Procurement Platform.

DETROIT – Small businesses in the city of Detroit can receive free personal protective equipment (PPE) starter kits on Monday courtesy of DTE Energy. About 6,000 PPE starter kits will be handed out between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday at Eastern Market’s Shed 3. This is for Detroit businesses only. Retail businesses in Metro Detroit can finally reopen Tuesday, but some of the restrictions have them preparing for a completely different world. MORE: Here’s everything that’s reopening this weekIt’s been a slow ramp up and a major learning cure for businesses, especially the smaller ones.

YPSILANTI, Mich. Would President Donald Trump wear a mask during his visit to a Ford plant in Metro Detroit? Many were asking the question, and Ford says the president did so for part of the visit before removing it. Bill Ford encouraged President Trump to wear a mask when he arrived," Ford said in a statement. Earlier this week, Local 4 asked Ford if Trump will be required to wear a mask inside the plant. "The White House has its own safety and testing policies in place and will make its own determinationMichigan Gov.

Ford Motor Company has been assisting in the fight from the beginning, and Local 4s Dr. Frank McGeorge was given a unique firsthand opportunity to test out one of their pieces of protective gear. Normally when he works in the emergency room, Dr. McGeorge wears an N-95 mask with a paper mask on top of it to keep it clean. Like most personal protective equipment, Fords product is in high demand, which is why the automaker stepped in to help produce it. Dr. McGeorge wore Fords protective equipment for two night shifts. With Fords equipment, they could see his entire face.

YPSILANTI, Mich. President Donald Trump is set to visit a Ford plant in Metro Detroit later this week, but with the area still shut down due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), will the president have to wear a mask? Trump is scheduled to visit Fords Rawsonville plant in Ypsilanti on Thursday. White House officials said the visit is to thank businesses producing PPE and medical equipment. Local 4 asked Ford if Trump will be required to wear a mask inside the plant. "The White House has its own safety and testing policies in place and will make its own determinationWhitmers office was also asked about Trumps visit.

ANN ARBOR – Local design and architecture studio Synecdoche has announced its newest product in response to the COVID-19 crisis: the WORKWALL partition. The partition is compact and acts as a barrier against airborne particles while featuring a writable surface that’s also suitable for sticky-notes. Synecdoche began printing PPE face shields for first responders and medical facilities at the onset of the pandemic using its 3D printers. The WORKWALL partition features tool-free assembly and can be customized to have frosted or clear panels and different color handles to match your office. Sizes and pricingSmall: 24”L x 4”W x 24”H - $95Medium: 36”L x 4”W x 24”H - $145Large: 48”L x 4”W x 24”H - $165Extra Large: 60”L x 4”W x 24”H - $215Synecdoche hopes to begin production on May 26.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Mahindra and Mahindra Limited’s plant in Auburn Hills never fully shut down. The switch to making PPE has helped the manufacturer get ready to resume normal operations Monday. “The crew was highly excited to start back up," Clarence Bringe said, "We want to start producing. 120 employees will undergo a temperature check Monday before heading into their own zone inside the building and stay there. The company said they have also factored in the ability to handle any stress for employees coming back.

Mahindra’s Auburn Hills plant gets ready to restart vehicle assemblyPublished: May 13, 2020, 5:45 pmMahindra and Mahindra Limited’s plant in Auburn Hills never fully shut down. Like many automakers, its workers switched over to make PPE.

A robotics team in Clinton Township is putting their skills to work during the coronavirus outbreak. Team 4810 I.AM.ROBOT, was founded in 2012 at the International Academy of Macomb. Since then, the team has grown from 7 students and 2 mentors to about 66 students and 14 mentors. During the pandemic, the team has worked to create a special intubation shield box for hospitals, providing an extra layer of protection for frontline workers. Watch Nick Monacelli’s feature story on the robotics team in the video player above.

DETROIT – Michigan received an N95 mask decontamination device that will allow hospitals and medical centers to reuse masks up to 20 times each amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. May 3, 2020: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 43,754; Death toll now at 4,049N95 masks, or called N95 respirators, have been in short supply and high demand as the COVID-19 pandemic hit southeast Michigan and the rest of the country. The device uses concentrated, vapor phase hydrogen peroxide to cleanse the masks and prepare them for reuse, officials said. As of Friday hospitals and medical centers can send used N95 masks to Detroit’s TCF Center -- currently serving as a temporary field hospital -- where the decontamination device is located. Battelle has sent employees to operate the device, officials said.

Now, the health system is expanding donation items to include handmade cloth masks for non-patient care staff and 3D printed mask adjuster bands that provide relief to the ears of clinical staff wearing masks around the clock. Washable cloth masks are needed for Michigan Medicine staff returning to work over the next several weeks who are working in non-patient care settings in order to conserve medical grade masks for those working on the frontlines. Those planning to donate homemade masks are asked to use patterns provided by the CDC or from craft supply stores. The pattern approved by U-M for 3D printed mask adjusters can be found here. Michigan Medicine has also partnered with Food Gatherers and is collecting toiletries and non-perishable food items for those in need in the community.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Farmington Hills EMS wants you to know they might look a little different right now when you see them in the community, and that’s to help protect everyone from the spread of COVID-19. Jim Etzin, EMS coordinator for the Farmington Hills Fire Department, said they have all prepared and trained to deal with infectious disease and have dealt with it in the past, but says this is unprecedented. “All the personal protective equipment that we're wearing can be very intimidating to the people that we encounter between the respirators and the face shields and the coveralls. The Farmington Hills EMS team is working with patients to determine the best options, which sometimes means not going to the hospital. Etzin and the department want to recognize the work of medical first responders saying the work they’re doing is extraordinary.

Marygrove Awnings will be dedicating part of its Livonia manufacturing facility to producing face masks and face shields for healthcare workers. LIVONIA, Mich. – Marygrove Awnings will be dedicating part of its Livonia manufacturing facility to producing face masks and face shields for healthcare workers, the company announced Friday. The fabric used for face masks is a tick, thermo material to add more protection and comfort. The organization converted their sewing machines to produce the face masks. The company can currently produce 1,000 face shields and face masks a day and increase production to meet demands.

Michigan bed company shifts to making masks with mattress materialPublished: April 14, 2020, 5:52 pmThe components used to make specialized mattresses can be converted into personal protective equipment.

Workers prepare to build ventilators at the GM manufacturing facility in Kokomo, Indiana, Monday, April 6, 2020, where GM and Ventec Life Systems are partnering to produce Ventec critical care ventilators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by AJ Mast for General Motors)DETROIT – General Motors announced Tuesday that its first Ventec Life Systems V+Pro critical care ventilators are ready for delivery to the U.S. government’s Strategic National Stockpile. GM was awarded April 8 with a government contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to build 30,000 ventilators by August. The automaker is working with Ventec Life Systems, a partnership announced in March, to produce the machines at its plant in Kokomo, Indiana. The automaker said it has the capacity to build more ventilators after August if needed.

GM awarded government contract to build 30,000 ventilatorsPublished: April 8, 2020, 12:09 pmGeneral Motors has been awarded a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to build 30,000 ventilators by August.

A new executive order from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is aimed at making it easier for emergency medical supplies, sanitary supplies and key personnel to flow into the state during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Whitmer has signed Executive Order 2020-40, which waives International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA) credentialing requirements. Whitmer’s office said the pandemic created a steep and immediate demand for certain essential supplies, equipment and personnel, and has made it harder for state agencies and departments to conduct business as usual — including credentialing motor carriers. People necessary to provide other medical or emergency servicesThis executive order is effective immediately and continues through May 5, 2020.

GM will begin to produce masks for medical workers today. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Gretchen Whitmer is directing veterinary services that use personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize their use as much as possible to ensure availability of PPE for health care workers. The order prohibits all non-essential veterinary procedures starting on April 2, 2020, and encourages veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice telemedicine as much as possible to slow the spread of COVID-19. And now it directs vets that use PPEs to minimize their use as much as possible to ensure availability of PPE for health care workers. “We are working every day to make sure our health care workers have the supplies they need to fight COVID-19,” said Whitmer. “We must all continue to work together to secure more personal protective equipment so we can slow the spread of the virus.

At Ford Motor Co., employees are volunteering to come in to make face shields. The 55-year-old grandmother is one of more than 100 Ford employees working around the clock to build face shields. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.