Local resource guide helps those facing COVID-related economic hardship

SATURDAY, May 23 — Those facing financial hardship in mid-Michigan due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic can look to a resource guide with information regarding unemployment benefits, evictions, utilities, taxes and more.

The Capital Area Housing Partnership, which comprises more than 20 local social agencies and governments, coordinated the compilation of information and advice into the COVID-19 Mid-Michigan Housing Resource Guide. The organization will update it weekly, a press release says.

“In any major crisis, housing becomes one the most immediate issues that affect people,” said Rawley Van Fossen, executive director of CAHP.“ Having access to safe and affordable housing options in our community is good health care. With statewide and federal COVID-19 Executive Orders changing, sharing housing resources is imperative in ensuring the safety of our community.”

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said the COVID-19 Mid-Michigan Housing Resource Guide will help answer questions whenever the state of Michigan’s eviction moratorium ends.

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Late Friday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the shutdown, which was set to expire Thursday, to June 12. This follows another court ruling that Whitmer still has the authority to issue emergency orders, which Republicans in the legislature are challenging. Bridge magazine explains what the extension means in light of the governor’s reopening announcement this week.

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A sex club in south Lansing closed Friday after police served it with a second cease-and-desist order. Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail said Club Tabu violated the governor’s emergency order by, among other things, facilitating close physical contact. The club caters largely to gay men. For more details, see this City Pulse story.

In the numbers… Here are the latest numbers, compared to yesterday, as collected by the state of Michigan (except for the national figures).

Ingham County                     

Cases — 695 (+26)

Deaths — 25 

Fatality Rate — 3.6%

As of Friday, zip code 48911 tracks 201-210 cases. Zip code 48910 tracks 71-80 cases. Zip code 48823 tracks 61-70 cases. Zip code 48854 and 48906 tracks 51-60 cases. Zip code 48864 tracks 41-50 cases. Zip codes 48842 and 48912 each track 31-40 cases. Zip code 48915 tracks 21-30 cases. Zip codes 48917, 48840, and 48895 each track 11-20 cases. Zip codes 48285, 48819, 48827, 48892, 48933, 49251, 49264 and 49285 each track 1-10 cases.

Eaton County                 

Cases — 175 (+2)

Deaths — 6 (No change)     

Fatality Rate — 3.4% 

Clinton County                                                                               

Cases — 137 (+1)

Deaths — 10 (No change)

Fatality Rate — 7.3%                                                

Michigan                        

Cases — 54,365 (+452)

Recoveries — 33,268 (as of 5/23/20)                

Recovery Rate — 61.1%

Deaths — 5,223 (+65)

Fatality Rate — 9.6%

U.S.                  

Cases — 1,612,786

Deaths — 96,582

Fatality Rate — 6%

Source: CNN     

Michigan reports the seventh most cases of any state, behind New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Michigan ranks fourth in the country in virus-related deaths, behind New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.