{"id":6160,"date":"2021-04-19T16:18:05","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T20:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/bayer\/?p=6160"},"modified":"2021-04-19T16:18:05","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T20:18:05","slug":"senate-district-12-news-updates-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/bayer\/2021\/04\/19\/senate-district-12-news-updates-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate District 12 News & Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"State<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

April 16, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Friends,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to remain vigilant about handwashing, mask-wearing, and social distancing as well as avoiding large indoor gatherings and indoor dining with others as positive cases of COVID-19 in Michigan are the worst in the nation right now. While we can speculate on any number of reasons for this, the reality is simply that we need to get our numbers down if we want to have a semi-normal summer, and the easiest thing to do is what we have been doing \u2014 even after <\/strong>you get vaccinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To the point of vaccinations, I encourage you to visit my Facebook<\/a> page \u2014 don\u2019t worry, you don\u2019t need to have an account! \u2014 every Friday for the latest information on when, where and how to get your shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have also included in this e-newsletter some additional information regarding the federal request to temporarily pause use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. It is worth noting that, while some have had a serious, adverse reaction to this vaccine, millions <\/strong>of others have received this shot with no such reactions. Every person is different. Of course, if you are concerned you may be having a reaction to any of the vaccines, please see a health provider as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VACCINE UPDATES: JOHNSON & JOHNSON PAUSED, COVID ANTIBODY THERAPIES COMING TO MICHIGAN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal Agencies Urge Pause on Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, April 13, based on recommendations from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services asked all Michigan providers to temporarily pause the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This temporary recommendation is based on the identification of six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). These adverse reactions appear to be extremely rare, as more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the United States as of April 12, with nearly 200,000 of those doses administered in Michigan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccine providers across the state have been instructed not to administer this vaccine at this time while the CDC and FDA review further data and assure clinicians are identifying and reporting any potential adverse reaction. Clinics that are scheduled to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will either reschedule or use a different vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and who develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider. Health care providers are asked to report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antibody Therapy Being Used to Treat COVID-19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday, April 14, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the state is working to expand the use of a medical intervention \u2014 monoclonal antibodies \u2014 designed to significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. Additional doses are being made available to providers to expand the number of infusion sites in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are laboratory-produced molecules that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system\u2019s attack on cells. Clinical trials have shown promising data that this therapy works for the treatment of COVID-19 in patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe symptoms and\/or hospitalization, including older Michiganders. It\u2019s administered through an intravenous infusion and is designed for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have mild to moderate symptoms, and it\u2019s not intended for hospitalized patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, preliminary data suggests more than 6,600 Michiganders have received mAb treatment with 65% reporting feeling better with two days and less than 5% of them requiring hospitalization following treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional information on monoclonal antibody therapy can be found at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 \u202fCombating COVID website<\/a> and Michigan.gov\/COVIDTherapy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: VOTING AND PAYROLL FRAUD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you may have read by now, my Republican colleagues have introduced a 39-bill package of legislation aimed at making it more difficult to vote. And that\u2019s not just my opinion \u2014 others who have also read the bills and done the analysis agree<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I spoke out against these efforts to limit our essential freedom to vote during session this week. Check out my speech below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sen<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, some of Michigan\u2019s largest job-creators are also opposed<\/a> to these efforts to limit the rights of the people of Michigan. Of course, I\u2019ll keep advocating for your freedom to vote, because the people should be electing their officials \u2014 not the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending Payroll Fraud<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday, April 15, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer teamed up with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights and local businesses to reiterate support for the purpose of her Michigan Jobs First executive directive: that those seeking to bid on state contracts are committed to providing fair and competitive wages and benefits to their workers. I support the governor in this endeavor, because our communities thrive when Michigan workers are treated fairly and with respect. That starts in our workplaces and with jobs right here at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among its key provisions, the Michigan Jobs First executive directive would require companies who bid on state projects to complete a vendor questionnaire that asks them to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n