South Michigan News

As a leader of a group of House Republican lawmakers, Rep. Julie Calley (R-Portland) helped develop a new plan to customize COVID-19 restrictions to be specific to local areas.

Developed in tandem with Michigan medical and science professionals, the plan uses science-based, county-level data to inform decisions about restrictions across the state, according to the Michigan House Republicans website.

If health thresholds are met, local public health experts will be allowed modify decisions affecting their area on a county level, according to Michigan House Republicans.  Thresholds are determined by five metrics: case rates, positivity rates, hospital capacity, sufficient personal protective equipment supply (PPE) and ability to test for COVID-19.

Cases related to community spread in a 14-day period must be under 55 cases per 1 million people, with a test positivity rate under 5%. For the previous 14 days, hospitals must be below a 25% hospitalization increase and have capacity for a 20% surge.  At least a two-week supply of PPE must be readily available at local health facilities. The county must be able to test at least 15 people per 10,000 residents per day with no more than a three-day result turnaround.

The plan comes after the Michigan Supreme Court ruling struck down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders as unconstitutional. Lawmakers' aim with this new plan is to help Michiganders feel more in control of what is happening in their communities.

“This plan provides certainty and offers hope to guide Michigan through the stress and confusion of this pandemic,” said Calley, according to Michigan House Republicans. “You will have a voice in determining the COVID-19 responses in place in your own community. And when a decision is made, you will know why. By empowering people and listening to science, Michigan will have a safe, sensible and improved response to the virus as we move forward to better days ahead.”