Amid college and universities
transitioning
to
online
courses,
mandatory
store
closures
and
limitations on large gatherings,
the Washtenaw County Board of
Commissioners voted on Wednesday
to declare a state of emergency
in the county. The motion, which
passed unanimously, will allow
for the shift of county resources
to assist residents, businesses and
communities affected by the novel
coronavirus outbreak.
At a meeting of the Washtenaw
County Board of Commissioners,
chair Jason Morgan said he hoped
the motion would help provide
economic stability and protect the
health of the community.
“For the health and safety of all
residents of Washtenaw County and
for the long-term stability of our local
economy, public safety and criminal
justice
system
and
community
social safety net, I am declaring a
state of emergency,” Morgan said.
“This public health emergency is
unprecedented,
touching
every
aspect of our lives, and some
members of our community will
need assistance meeting their basic
needs, especially due to the closures
of businesses and the dwindling
availability of basic necessities.”
Some community members such
as Keta Cowan, chief executive
officer
of
Synod
Community
Services, voiced concern for those
that are least able to get essential
products and support during the
outbreak, such as the elderly. Cowan
also added that she felt that the
county could do more to help those
in need.
“I am here because of the pandemic
and the lack of response, and a lack of
a prioritization guideline, in terms of
how we are able to obtain resources
to keep the least able safe,” Cowan
said. “We are not only troubled
because we know that the county has
a store of backup supplies, but we’ve
received no contact from anyone
asking us what we might need.”
In response to the coronavirus
outbreak, students in the School of
Nursing now have to complete their
work for this semester virtually
while still meeting requirements
set by the state nursing board and
other accredited bodies.
Patricia Hurn, dean of School
of Nursing at the University of
Michigan, announced in an email
Wednesday that Nursing seniors
had
completed
their
clinical
placements.
“These
requirements
have
all centered on the basic skills
and competencies that are met
by an on-site presence rather
than simulation or classroom-
based education,” Hurn wrote.
“Therefore, your on-site clinical
placements are completed as of
7:00 p.m. today, March 18th, for
the remainder of the term. We
want to congratulate each one of
you! We are proud of you and your
work.”
The
announcement
noted
seniors
will
be
required
to
“participate
in
innovative,
remote
experiences
within
your respective clinical groups”
and will be updated by their
respective faculty with more
information.
Nursing senior Jayne Hubscher
said she recognized it must have
been a difficult decision for the
University to make, and though
she wishes she could finish her
in-person clinical rotations, she
said she understands the decision
is best for student and patient
safety.
michigandaily.com
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Thursday, March 19, 2020
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINE YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
Coronavirus complicates completion of
degree requirements for Nursing students
School of Nursing
transitions to online
courses in response to
spread of COVID-19
Design by Cara Jhang
GABRIEL BOUDAGH
Daily Staff Reporter
See NURSES, Page 3A
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HEALTH
Michigan
Gov.
Gretchen
Whitmer
announced
the
first death due to the novel
coronavirus in an update on
the state’s response to the virus
Wednesday afternoon.
Beaumont Health confirmed
a man who tested positive for
COVID-19 died early Wednesday
morning. The man, who was in
his 50’s and had an underlying
health condition, was being
treated at a Beaumont hospital
facility in Wayne County.
Patient dies after testing
positive for COVID-19
BARBARA COLLINS
Daily News Editor
MI reports
first death
from virus
Washtenaw declares state of emergency
County commissioners respond to ‘unprecedented’ situation, pass measure unanimously
See COVID-19, Page 3A
FRANCESCA DUONG
Daily Staff Reporter
See COMMISSION, Page 3A
FILE PHOTO/Daily
The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners votes to declare the county in a state of
emergency Wednesday morning.
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TIME
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