; Skip to content

CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population

 

Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation for the public. People with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.

For more information visit the CDC website.

How to Help in Our Community & More

Isabella County: United for Basic Needs

Your life probably looks a little different than it did a few months ago.

Working from home, job loss, home-schooling, cancelled plans, and so much more have left almost everyone feeling uncertain. And while staying at home was safer for our community, it brings unexpected hardship for many families and individuals. For some, staying home meant no escape from an abusive parent or partner. Staying home meant visiting a food pantry for the first time. Staying home meant not being able to pay rent or keep the lights on.

One thing is for certain—the impact of COVID-19 will be with us for months, if not years to come. Our hope? To make sure the needs of our friends and neighbors in Isabella county are met each and every day.

During these times of crisis, we’ve seen people come together to support one another. COVID-19 is a test of our collective strength. As our neighbors are on lockdown and businesses are closing, unemployment is spiking.

United Way’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund supports communities by helping local non-profits respond, and by ensuring people get the basic necessities that they need. Locally, 211, the go-to information resource in the U.S., is fielding 200-400% more calls than normal; mostly for food, financial assistance and housing. We expect as many calls for help in the next six months as we usually get in a full year. At the same time, community services are strained and unable to meet demand. People are hurting.

We are asking you to join us, along with The Care Store, Clothing INC, Community Compassion Network, Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, Isabella County Restoration House and RISE Advocacy to provide a “hand-up” to families who are struggling to meet their most basic needs. $200,000 is needed to continue to meet the demand for services in the coming months due to COVID-19. More than 10,000 people in Isabella County will directly benefit from one of the agencies fighting basic needs from this fund.

Moving forward as a community will continue to be a challenge, but it’s exactly the kind of challenge that our network of partners is equipped to take on. But we can’t do it without you.

Sincerely,

Andrew L Miller - Community Compassion Network
Annie Sanders - United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties
Dee Obrecht - Isabella County Restoration
Jennifer Page - RISE Advocacy
Kaye Peasley - Clothing INC
Kim McBryde - The Care Store
Sarah Adkins - Isabella Community Soup Kitchen

  • Max & Emily’s “People Helping People” are handing out more meals than ever right now, and not just on Sundays from 11 am - 2 pm. Effective Monday, March 23rd, anyone who cannot afford a meal will be provided with one, any day, available 11 am - 2 pm.
    • They will try to feed as many people as possible regardless of the size of the line.
    • They do NOT need volunteers, but ONE call over the phone to (989) 772-7460 and you can give a credit card donation.
    • Just $4.00 gives one person a hot sandwich, apple and cookie.

 

  • COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County
    • Administered by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, this fund will provide flexible resources to organizations in our area working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic impact of this outbreak.
    • Click the link above for more information or to donate to this fund.

The CARES Act and Charitable Deductions

For 2020, individuals will be able to claim an above-the-line deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made to certain public charities. This rule effectively allows a limited charitable deduction to taxpayers who claim the standard deduction (rather than itemizing deductions) on their 2020 federal income tax returns.

  • Red Cross Seeking Plasma Donations from Recovered COVID-19 Patients
    • In coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Red Cross is seeking people who are fully recovered from the new coronavirus to sign up to donate plasma to help current COVID-19 patients.
    • People who have fully recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies in their plasma that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as treatment for patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections, or those judged by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of progression to severe or life-threatening disease.
  • Ongoing CRITICAL NEED for Blood and Platelets Due to Coronavirus Pandemic | American Red Cross
    • Healthy Donors Urged to Make an Appointment Now
    • U.S. Surgeon General: “You can still go out and give blood ... Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement.”
      • The American Red Cross is working to quickly identify and replace blood drives canceled due to workplace and school closures. Search for opportunities near you and check back often as they are continuously adding new donation opportunities.
      • If you don’t see available appointments near you in the near future, please search 7-15 days out. The need for blood is constant - patients need your help.
  • MidMichigan Health | COVID-19: How You Can Help
    • On behalf of MidMichigan Health, we greatly appreciate the outpouring and support from our local communities that have contacted us to help during this COVID-19 crisis. Many others have asked about ways to help during this time of need. At this time MidMichigan Health is seeking support through our Relief Fund or by providing Protective Gear and Medical Supplies. Follow the link to find ways you can contact us.
Scroll To Top