Daily Detroit

Today we've got an all-headlines edition of your Daily Detroit. We run down the latest numbers on confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths from the state, and we discuss the "Operation Gridlock" protest organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition today in Lansing.

The group urged participants to protest what they see as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's overly restrictive stay-at-home order from their vehicles, but hundreds spilled out onto the Capitol grounds anyway, many not wearing masks and ignoring recommendations to maintain 6 feet of distance from other people.

Also on today's show:

• Both California and New York, the hardest-hit state, are donating ventilators to Michigan.
• Wayne County is launching a drive-through COVID-19 testing program in Southgate. You can make an appointment, whether or not you have symptoms, here.
• Ford is partnering with Wayne State University, its affiliated physician organization and Dearborn-based ACCESS to launch a mobile coronavirus testing program.
• The budgetary hole the pandemic is opening for the city of Detroit continues to grow larger.
• The state of Michigan is offering a liquor buy-back program for bars and restaurants, but you'd better hurry if you want to take part: The deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. Apply here.
• And some badly needed good news: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Detroit River Conservancy are teaming on a $2.9 million project to remediate contaminated riverfront shoreline at the former site of the Uniroyal plant on East Jefferson just west of East Grand Boulevard. It's one of the last barriers to extend the Detroit RiverWalk all the way from downtown to the bridge to Belle Isle.

If you want to support the show, join us at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Perhaps you've heard that, because people are driving so much less and accident claims have plummeted during the coronavirus lockdown, your benevolent automobile insurance carrier is planning to give you a big wet kiss in the form of a refund. Well, our guest today not only gives us the lowdown on why this might be happening, but he suggests that in reality, it'll more likely be a credit rather than a check for cash.

Steven Gursten is the managing partner at Michigan Auto Law. He tells us that the amounts insurers are promising to refund pales in comparison with the decrease in actual driving and, likely, accident claims. Meaning they're seeing a windfall at this time when claims are way down and they're enjoying a reprieve from court cases stemming from accident claims.

Also today: Oakland County will begin offering drive-through COVID-19 tests at the county complex at 1200 N. Telegraph Road. You don't need a prescription, but you do need to schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-848-5533.

And, it's the 60th Anniversary of the incorporation of Motown Records. Sven and Jer share a couple of their favorites.

Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Today's show is in three parts.

1) Coronavirus updates. The latest numbers, with some hopeful signs the curve may be starting to flatten. A quarter of Michigan's workforce has filed for unemployment, and $350 million distributed. There are bodies piling up at DMC Sinai-Grace, according to photos and eyewitness accounts.

2) Should we allow restaurants to sell to-go spirits during the pandemic? Robyn Cleveland thinks so and his online petition is gaining steam. Link to that here.

3) Ford and 3M have teamed up to make respirators as well as there are other collaborators involving one of the world's biggest automakers based right here. Sven Gustafson has the details.

Like the show? Support us on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's podcast, we have an in-depth conversation with Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II around Michigan and the Coronavirus.

We talk about a wide variety of topics with the Lt. Governor:

• Lt. Governor Gilchrist is leading a new task force to examine the causes and find ways to lower the higher rate of African Americans dying due to COVID-19.
• How the state is mobilizing on things like unemployment benefits.
• Where Michigan is at in flattening the curve.
• What are the thoughts around the budget for things like roads after the initial crisis.
• A possible policy to help bars and restaurants.

And much more.

Remember we do this every day with special bonus episodes during the Coronavirus crisis. Tell a friend to listen: http://www.dailydetroit.com/podcast/

If you love the show, and you can swing it, think about becoming a member. Independent media requires independent funding, and it keeps it free for everyone else. http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Well, so much for a possible reprieve in the coronavirus spread in Michigan. The state on Friday reported 205 deaths in the last 24 hours, an increase of 43%. There were 1,279 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, good news for the Uber drivers, freelancers and other independent contractors of the world: You'll be able to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance starting Monday at michigan.gov/UIA. That brings an extra $600 a week on top of the maximum $362 in state unemployment benefits.

Meanwhile, Mayor Mike Duggan says the city is working with the Wayne State School of Medicine to increase drive-through testing at the State Fairgrounds site to more than 1,000 per day. The city is also offering hazard pay to first responders, public employees and others whose jobs put them at risk of infection.

Also on today's show:

• We talk about the "war zone" conditions being reported out of Sinai-Grace hospital in Detroit, according to The Detroit News
• Speaking of the Detroit Medical Center, which operates Sinai-Grace, they won't tell us how many confirmed coronavirus inpatients they're treating, or how many staffers have been infected. Nor will Ascension Health, which operates St. John Hospital on Detroit's east side, or McLaren Health Care, which operates hospitals in Pontiac and Mount Clemens. That's despite a state order to do so. And Beaumont and Henry Ford are reporting their numbers daily.
• The TCF Center is now a field hospital and was set to accept its first patients Friday. This weekend, workers will start converting the Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi to the same.
• A major Detroit waste hauler is indefinitely suspending the pickup of all yard waste because people stuck at home are throwing away so much solid waste.
• And Hamtramck Stadium, former home to Negro League teams, won a half-million-dollar grant for renovations.

Stay safe out there, friends, and take care of one another.

Thanks for listening to Daily Detroit. If you like what you're hearing, tell a friend about us, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or support us by becoming a Patreon member.

After bouncing around this town for a couple of decades, I can tell you that if you cover Detroit and ignore the faith community, well, you're not covering Detroit.

Regardless of the denomination or belief system, they are ties that bind much of our city and region.

So today's show is a conversation with pastor Jonathan Merritt of Straight Gate International Church.

Located on Grand River just west of Livernois, the non-denominational gospel ministry has been switching gears to deal with the coronavirus.

And the good news? Their mostly African-American congregation has been hit with far less tragedy due to the coronavirus than the rest of the surrounding community.

So what are they doing? And how are they keeping connected to their members as one of the largest churches in the area?

Also, Merritt is involved in the Narrow Way Cafe on Livernois. They are, for a second year in a row, dealing with outside forces that have thrown a wrench in their plans.

Link to Straight Gate: http://straightgate.net/

Daily Detroit is made possible through the support of our members. Join them at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show, we bring you a slew of short updates on the coronavirus situation in and around Detroit. The state on Wednesday reported 1,376 new confirmed cases and 114 deaths, bringing the overall total to 20,346 confirmed cases and 959 deaths. That might not seem like much to celebrate, but it's the smallest jump in new daily cases since March 31. In Detroit, the epicenter of the outbreak in Michigan, Mayor Mike Duggan says testing at the former State Fairgrounds site is way ahead of projections.

Meanwhile, we cover lots of other coronavirus developments around the region:

• The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi is being converted into a 1,000-patient field hospital, the second in the region
• The coronavirus is expected to blow a huge hole in the city of Detroit's budget, partly because the casinos are closed
• Thousands of employees of Detroit-area health systems are likely infected with COVID-19
• Electric vehicle startup Rivian will delay the start of production to 2021, from later this year, as coronavirus stalls its progress retooling its factory in Illinois
• GM won a U.S. government contract worth $489.4 million to cover its cost to build critically needed medical ventilator for coronavirus victims
• And Little Caesars and Kroger have both made announcements related to the pandemic.

All this and more, telemagically transported to your earholes if you click the player above.

Thanks for listening to Daily Detroit. If you like what you're hearing, tell a friend about us, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or support us by becoming a Patreon member.

If you're listening to this podcast, you're listening to local media.

And the Coronavirus pandemic has brought to the front something that you may not realize.

Most Americans — according to a 2019 Gallup poll — not only think that their local news outlets are an important part of American democracy, but they also think they're financially healthy.

And that's completely wrong.

Cuts are happening across the industry. Not just at newspaper outlets, but radio... and even TV is feeling the hit.

This was happening even before this pandemic, and now, it's increasing significantly.

The dark irony of this is that coverage around the coronavirus is being consumed and is needed more than ever by the public.

To me, whether it's city hall, the county seat, or the state capitol — it's not a stretch to say that democracy itself is in danger without a vibrant press.

Here in metro Detroit, the problem is multifaceted. Not only do we have the pressures of the changing market and the pandemic, the largest advertiser in our community just went under. That's Art Van Furniture.

So what's next? And what's an example of outlets coming together for the common good?

Our guest today is Matt Friedman. He's a media analyst and co-founder of Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications.

On today's show for Monday, April 6, 2020:

Detroit Tiger legend Al Kaline has passed away, at the age of 85. The cause of death was not confirmed at the time of recording.

Michigan's confirmed Coronavirus cases continue to rise. Statewide there are now 17,221 cases and 727 deaths.

In other Coronavirus news, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a news conference today that almost as many people are filing in one day for unemployment as those who did during the worst week of the Great Recession.

The fine for violating the Governor's Stay Home, Stay Safe order has been doubled to $1,000. The change happened late last week.

Henry Ford Health Systems will be performing an 8 week clinical trial of the drug Hydroxychloroquine to see if it is effective on the Coronavirus. 3,000 first responders and healthcare workers will be the volunteers.

The 1,000 bed field hospital at the TCF Center should be ready to start accepting patients this Thursday. There will be two floors- one of 600 beds for seriously ill patients and one with 400 beds for those recovering.

DMC's Sinai-Grace hospital continues to have staffing and equipment shortfalls, only heighten by the stress of dealing with more than 100 Covid-19 patients per day.

Representatives from around the state will be traveling to Lansing to vote in person to extend Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Disaster Declaration. The Governor has asked for a 70 day extension to the declaration.

Here are a few prominent local people have passed away due to Covid-19:

First, Otis Knapp Lee who was also known as Mr. Fofo, Detroit's Corned Beef King has passed away at the age of 72.

Secondly, Brenda Perryman has also passed away. She was an educator, coach, director, playwright, and producer.

The Detroit Grand Prix has been cancelled for 2020. It will return June 4 through 6, 2020.

Finally, here is something fun. Tomorrow night, Tuesday, April 7 there will be a super moon. So, be sure to go on out on your lawn or balcony and check it out.

Show mentioned: Science Vs.

Finding us for the first time? We're on all podcast platforms: http://www.dailydetroit.com/podcast

Want to support us? Become a member http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Today we have a special narrative edition of the show for you. We take you out of your coronavirus confines to Minsk, the capital of Belarus in far eastern Europe.

It's where I recently traveled to talk about Daily Detroit and podcasting at the Press Club Belarus, an organization promoting an independent, free press in the former Soviet republic.

Belarus has also been in the international news lately as the only country in Europe that is continuing to play professional soccer and letting fans crowd into stadiums. That's because of its authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, who has dismissed the coronavirus as being more dangerous to the small country's economy than to the health of its people.

Our show today touches on Belarusian history and politics — I was there during Parliamentary election day — and we discuss the country's burgeoning IT sector and local culture. We hear from:

• Pavel Sverdlov, editor-in-chief of EuroRadio.fm
• Serge Sakharan, editor-in-chief of City Dog
• Anatoli Babenia, a member of a hacker space in Minsk
• And Yauheni Preiherman, founder and director of the Minsk Dialog Council on International Relations

Minsk is a beautiful city, but over the course of a week there it became clear that Belarus is also a very complicated, conflicted place. Both geographically and figuratively, it's stuck between the liberal democracy and economic freedoms of western Europe on one side and the authoritarian spectre of Russia, its neighbor to the east. It's been independent since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, but it remains caught in a kind of paralysis, heavily dependent on Russia for its livelihood.

We worked really hard on today's show and hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for listening to Daily Detroit. If you like what you're hearing, tell a friend about us, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or support us by becoming a Patreon member.