Michigan has now recorded 73,663 cases of the corona virus and 6,119 deaths. The latest figures from the state Department of Health and Human Services were released yesterday. It showed 483 new cases on Saturday and 2 deaths. New cases increased moderately over the past week and still have Governor Whitmer concerned. She again repeated the importance of wearing a mask.
Tougher rules on wearing masks inside of bars and other businesses has led to confrontations between employees and customers. The Michigan Licensed Beverage Association is offering help for bartenders and other staff. Starting today it is offering hour-long virtual courses to its members. The courses, in partnership with Keene Training and Consulting, will be taught by instructors with law enforcement backgrounds. Officials say the classes will teach employees how to stay safe and in control when trying to de-escalate a situation. The Association has been providing details on how to deal with disturbances since the 1980s, but felt that, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, additional techniques were needed.
Nursing home employees at six facilities in Metro Detroit are planning a brief strike today. Members of the Service Employees International Union say they are frustrated with the working conditions they have to deal with in the midst of the corona virus outbreak. Walkouts are scheduled to last between one and two hours. Nursing homes have been linked to one of every three of the COVID-19 deaths in the state.