COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information
Daily COVID-19 Communication Updates (Click Here)
DAILY UPDATE - Community COVID-19
News supporting the Grand Traverse region provided by the Grand Traverse County Health Department
Guidance and Resources on Social Distancing:
Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of coronavirus.
- CDC and the White House released new guidelines to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 “15 Days to Slow the Spread” details social distancing guidelines for the entire country.
- Get outside on the trails and parks while practicing safe social distancing measures of maintaining a six-foot distance between yourself and others.
Other Community Resources:
- School Meal Distribution across the region
- Goodwill’s Food Rescue program is distributing perishable and non-perishable food to pantries and those in need
- Community volunteer registration via United Way
State Hotline Available:
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) opened a statewide hotline to respond to health-related questions about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The hotline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136.
City and County Services:
Many community services continue to operate to serve the needs of the public. BATA is taking extra measures to disinfect and clean the buses to ensure the safety of their ridership and our community. Parks are still open and county and city services are operating.
BASIC PREVENTION MEASURES:
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Replace handshakes with elbow bumps.
- Stay at least six feet away from others when in a public setting.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at gtchd.org at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
Grand Traverse County key community stakeholders and leaders met collaboratively March 15, to coordinate our community-wide and coordinated response to the Coronavirus at the Traverse City/Grand Traverse County Governmental Center. Leaders from a cross-section of government, school, health, and private sector organizations met to together to form a Joint Operation Center that will provide a unified source or information and single plan for mitigating the Coronavirus. The following entities participated in the meeting:
- Grand Traverse County
- Munson Healthcare System
- City of Traverse City
- Traverse City Area Public Schools
- Grand Traverse Metro Fire and EMS
- Cherry Capital Airport
- Bay Area Transportation Authority
- United States Coast Guard
- Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District
- Northwestern Michigan College
- Traverse Connect
- Michigan Legislature, Senator Wayne Schmidt
Community mitigation is currently our only public health tool and our only defense against the spread of this virus in our community. These community mitigation efforts will take complete community buy-in and support.
Unified, social distancing practices and the necessary precautionary measures will have an impactful effect on the potential spread of this virus.
We as your community Health Department, supported by our fellow community leaders are asking for you to do your part in protecting our community.
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Executive Orders from the State of Michigan
"If we all come together, get serious, and do our part by staying home, we can stay safe and save lives.”
~ Governor Whitmer
April 2, 2020 - Suspending Face-to-Face Learning at K-12 Schools (executive order 2020-35)
March 16, 2020 - Expanding Child Care for Essential Workers (executive order 2020-16)
March 12, 2020 - Temporary School Closure (executive order 2020-11)
Coronavirus Disease Q&A
The following resources are provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Governor Whitmer announced in an executive order on April 2, 2020 that all Michigan K-12 school buildings - public and private will remain closed through the end of the 2019-20 school year in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. This is an extension of the original executive order announced on March 12. This directive includes all TBAISD center-based special education programs, Career-Tech Center and early childhood services.
Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (TBAISD) is working closely with local, state and federal health agencies to monitor the situation, and do our best to prevent and mitigate infections from COVID-19. A regional task force has been activated to ensure our community is prepared and receiving timely communication of critical information based on recommendations from local health departments, the State of Michigan, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As we monitor new developments, we will continue to provide timely communication as factual information is updated by health authorities. Thank you for your patience. Any changes regarding school closures or further information will be shared through our School Messenger communication system, website, and social media.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to keep our community safe and to respond to COVID-19.
School Meal Services
Schools in the five-county Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District region have released food service schedules and distribution plans. Hours of operation and distribution plans vary by school. Click this link for the complete list of School Food Service Distribution Schedules.
Food Pantry Information
How to talk to children about COVID-19
Resources to support awareness and reduce fear for children
Trauma-Informed Response Principles
A Parent Resource - Talking to Children about COVID-19
Video for Kids: The Mysteries of Life - Coronavirus, by BrainPOP
Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus, on National Public Radio (NPR)
Communicating with Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak, from MDHHS
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) COVID-19 Resource - LINK
This resource has social stories and visual supports related to COVID-19 to help students better understand what the virus is, why schools are closed, and how they can stay healthy. These supports can be especially effective with students with disabilities, such as those with complex communication needs or autism.
U of M Department of Psychiatry - Helping Young Kids Through the Coronavirus Crisis
COVID-19 Information & Resources
Communication to TBAISD Staff, Families & Students
April 3, 2020 - Letter to School Families (Continued Learning)
March 19, 2020 - Support Services Letter to School Families
March 13, 2020 - Letter to School Families and Students
March 13, 2020 - Letter to TBAISD Staff
March 11, 2020 - Letter to ISD Families and Students
February 28, 2020 - Initial letter to school families
Guidance for the Community /downloads/admin_files/2-26-2020_covid-19_general_guidance_1.pdf
Other Resources:
Mitigating an outbreak - Flattening the Curve for COVID-19
Center for Disease Control (CDC) Resources
National, State, and local web resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Grand Traverse County Health Department
Keeping the workplace safe (infographic)
MDE Memorandum COVID-19 Guidance - March 11
Stop the Spread of Germs (poster)
Michigan Department of Health & Human Services/County Health Departments
I think I have been exposed to coronavirus, what should I do?
MDHHS Coronavirus website - Michigan Dept of Health & Human Services
Grand Traverse County Health Department
Serving Grand Traverse County
Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department
Serving Benzie and Leelanau counties
District Health Department #10 Coronavirus information
Serving Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Newayo, Oceana and Wexford counties
Northwest Michigan Department of Health
Serving Charlevoix, Harbor Springs/Petoskey, Gaylord, Mancelona and Bellaire
Childcare Resources for Essential Workers
To find childcare providers who have the capacity to provide care for children of essential workers during the COVID-19 health crisis please go to www.helpmegrowmi.org/essential or calling 2-1-1 to be routed to someone in our community who will help find care.
“Essential workers,” as outlined by the executive order, are defined as: Health care workers, home health workers, direct care workers, emergency medical service providers, first responders, law enforcement personnel, sanitation workers, childcare workers, correctional workers, postal workers, public health employees, key government employees such as child protective services and foster care workers, court personnel, and others providing key infrastructure to the community such as utilities, mass transit, manufacturing, and groceries.
Resources for School Professionals
Michigan Department of Education COVID-19 Communications
Health-Related Resources
Preparing for Infectious Disease Epidemics (NASP*)
Brief Action Steps for School Crisis Response Teams (NASP*)
Remote Learning Toolkit
*National Association of School Psychologists
Cancellation of Events
While school is not in session, all events, activities, and professional conferences are canceled through the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. As positive COVID-19 cases in the community continue to increase, the public should assume there is potential for community exposure and limit activity according to the Governor’s executive order: Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives.
Home Internet Services
Spectrum/Charter: Call 1-866-866-4959 for free internet service for 2 months for students grades K-college.
Comcast Internet Essentials - Internet service for qualifying families, now free for 2 months.
Access from AT&T - A low-cost home internet package for qualifying families.
General Community Resources
Bill Payment Supports: For utility and service provider bill postponement inquiries please call the company directly and ask about temporary bill postponement due to COVID-19.
OK2SAY: https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say
24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233, or text LOVEIS to 22522 (for survivors & victims)
If you suspect child abuse, contact local law enforcement immediately by dialing 911 or the DHHS Hotline at 1-855-444-3911
Substance Use/Substance Use Disorder recovery support:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/388460735141614?view=permalink&id=492835488037471
Michigan DHHS Coronavirus Hotline: 1-888-535-6136, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days/week
Michigan Unemployment Information: 1-866-500-0017
(recent expansion of qualifiers due to COVID-19)
For the fastest assistance submitting claims, go online
United Way of Northwest Michigan: Call 2-1-1 if you or someone you know need assistance with food, housing or financial support. This is also a way to volunteer to help in your community.
Public Transportation: Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) announced temporary elimination of the fare-free Bayline route to reduce non-essential travel and as a precaution to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The City Loop, COAST senior transportation, Village Loops, as well as City and Village demand response services will continue as usual.