Justin covers breaking COVID-19 news and speaks with Bill Steffen, Kevin Devries, and Dave Galloway.
BIG 3
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A total of 53 coronavirus cases in Michigan -- five in Kent County, one in Ottawa County and one in Montcalm County.
Latest Kent County #COVID19 presumptive positive case is a male in his 20's with no history of travel.
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Emergency Public Health Order issued by the KCCHD reduces occupancy load by 50% effective Monday, March 16 at 10.
Restaurants, bars, movie theaters, gyms,
*Does not effect healthcare facilities or grocery stores.
The Gov just closed them here in Michigan effective 3pm.
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Gov Whitmer signed an executive order Sunday in an effort to curb price-gouging of emergency supplies and food during the coronavirus outbreak. The temporary measure, which takes effect Monday, restrict a person or business from reselling goods or products that are “grossly in excess of the purchase price of the product.” Also, a business or individuals can’t sell a product at more than 20% higher than the purchase price unless the increase is “due to bringing the product to market.”
More Coronavirus
The President announced he’s adding Britain and Ireland to the European travel ban list.
And he says he's considering imposing restrictions travel within the U.S. to areas hit hard by the coronavirus spread.
The CDC announced new guidelines for events and mass gatherings like concerts, weddings and sporting events suggesting limits at 50 people for the next eight weeks.
Some states and cities have closed bars and restaurants.
Federal Reserve announces emergency action to prevent economic crash over coronavirus fears.. lowering interest rates to near-zero — targeting 0% to .25% — to incentive borrowing and continued economic participation. Additionally, the bank announced $700 billion in quantitative easing.
The federal government's effort to rapidly expand testing for the coronavirus will initially focus on screening health care workers and the elderly, Trump administration officials said Sunday. Members of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force attempted to flesh out their plan to screen thousands of Americans for the virus amid growing frustration about lack of access to tests and confusion about who should get them. Priority for testing would go to medical professionals and senior citizens with viral symptoms, officials said, in an effort to avoid “paralyzing” the U.S. health system. "It’s important the tests are available for the people who are most in need and our health care workers and first responders that are helping and supporting them," Vice President Mike Pence told reporters at the White House.
Notables
Clouds moving in Monday morning. Mostly cloudy through the afternoon. High 44.