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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INDEX
Vol. CXXIX, No. 87
©2020 The Michigan Daily

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O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 A

A R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 B

S P O R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A
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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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b-side
TIME
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