In the News
Covid-19 infection records continue to be broken, with 133 new cases confirmed on Nov. 10 and 1,010 between Oct. 22 and Nov. 4. The infection rate among students is up slightly, with forty-one percent of new cases between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four years old. Five county residents have died since Oct. 24, the highest toll in a three-week period since June.
“We are noticing an uptick in Covid-related responses but a downtick in calls for 911 service, recalling a trend we saw at the beginning of the pandemic caused by the public’s anxiety around Covid and staying away from the hospital,” says Marc Breckenridge, Huron Valley Ambulance public information officer.
HVA first responders could get the Pfizer vaccine this month. “Arrangements are being made statewide for priority recipients to have vaccines delivered to facilities with ultra-cold storage,” says Breckenridge.
The Washtenaw County Health Department urges widespread flu vaccination to reduce the stress on the health system during the pandemic. Shots are available at many local pharmacies, and WCHD is sponsoring free drive-through flu vaccine clinics on Nov. 12 at Emmanuel United Church in Manchester and Nov. 14 at Corner Health in Ypsilanti. Click here for details.
Federal lawsuit seeks to throw out votes in Washtenaw, Ingham, and Wayne Counties over allegations of fraud. The plaintiffs claim that Republican ballot challengers were harassed, votes were cast illegally, and ballots were tampered with, among other allegations. Disqualifying the 1.2 million votes cast for Biden in these counties would give Trump the lead in Michigan. MLive.
Hundreds gathered at City Hall on Sunday evening for a vigil to remember Aura Rosser and call for police oversight and reform, then marched through downtown chanting “How do you spell murder? AAPD” and “Take it to the streets and f*** the police.” Rosser was killed in 2014 in the home of Victor Lynn Stephens by AAPD officers responding to Stephens’ domestic disturbance call. Coincidentally, Sunday’s Ann Arbor News reported Stephens’ arrest on armed robbery charges. Brendan Gutenschwager, MLive.
More remote courses, fewer undergrads on campus, and mandatory weekly Covid testing are among the new measures announced this week to protect the U-M community during the shortened winter semester. No instructor will be required to teach in person and all students are encouraged to remain in their permanent residences if possible. Many residence halls will be closed altogether, but some rooms will be available for single occupancy. University Record.
The Wolverines lost to Indiana on Saturday, ending a 24 game winning streak against the Hoosiers that began in 1987. Michigan had hoped for a comeback after a disastrous loss to MSU, but a weak defense and several missed throws contributed to a 38 to 21 loss. Michigan Daily. Saturday’s game will be at home against the Wisconsin Badgers, who have not played since opening week due to an outbreak of Covid-19.
The Attorney General’s office has signed an agreement with Ann Arbor janitorial equipment supplier A.M. Cleaning & Supplies LLC after it was found to be in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by overcharging for hand sanitizer early in the pandemic. Eleven consumer complaints about price gouging were received against the company. Click on Detroit.
Artist and activist Chin Azzaro has created an outdoor project called “Traveling Feet: A Few Illustrative Highlights of Ypsilanti’s Black History,” with images and short descriptions of the Brown Chapel AME Church, the First Ward School, the United States Colored Troops graves at Highland Cemetery, and the razing of the community that used to exist between Huron, S. Hamilton, and Harriet. chin-azzaro.com.
Jazz saxophonist and landscaper Daniel Bennett lost “tools, twenty years of music, equipment and compositions” among other valuables in a devastating house fire over the weekend. Luckily, he and his young son were unharmed. Friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the family rebuild.
A new public sculpture will be erected in front of the UMMA on State St. today. Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa’s Behind the Walls—a giant white head with hands covering the eyes—was previously installed in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza. MLive.
The Ann Arbor Observer is changing its distribution policy. Starting in 2021, the magazine will be delivered only to apartment residents in the Ann Arbor zip code area and school district who have confirmed their free subscription. Confirming is easy: simply click here or email subscribe@aaobserver.com.
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