We waited a little longer to send this email due to Governor Whitmer’s scheduled press conference yesterday at 1:30 pm. Although the governor did not address lifting or extending the current 3-week “Pause to Save Lives,” she did discuss the work of Michigan’s COVID-19 Task Force on Racial Disparities led by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Chilchrist II. The Task Force released an interim report detailing actions the state has taken to protect communities of color, frontline workers, and small businesses from the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS Chief Medical Executive, announced that we’ve seen a slight decrease in the rate of new cases over the past 13 days. However, she added that case rates remain “alarmingly high.” And with data showing increased travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, they are concerned that cases will increase again over the coming week.

CDC Quarantine Update

Dr. Khaldun also noted that the CDC released new data indicating that 99% of coronavirus cases will become infectious within 10 days of exposure. Based on this new data, the CDC provided alternatives to the standard 14-day quarantine standard. Someone who suspects exposure could quarantine for only 10 days if they continue to show no symptoms and has not been tested; and someone who tests negative could shorten that quarantine to only 7 days.

Vaccine News

The UK became the first country to approve Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine. On Wednesday, the MHRA, Britain’s medicines regulator, stated the vaccine is “safe to be rolled out.” Up to 800,000 doses are on their way. Here in the US, the FDA will meet next week (December 10) to review Pfizer’s request for emergency use authorization. Ten days later they’ll review Moderna’s vaccine on December 17. With any luck, vaccines will start rolling out in the US in about 10 days (maybe if we all cross our fingers?).

While We’re Waiting.

With hope that a return to more “normal” activities is on the horizon, there’s no better time to make plans for growing your business. Let’s talk about how we can help you reach your customers now and throughout 2021. Send us an email at info@extendyourreach.com or give call us 800-887-1959. We’re happy to meet in person (socially distanced of course) or virtually (Zoom or Teams anyone?). Extend Your Reach offers a full array of services, and we’d like to put our skills to work for you.

Stay safe!

Jay Gillotte
CEO, Extend Your Reach