Detroit Kicks Census Effort into High Gear

Mayor Mike Duggan reminded Detroiters of the importance of completing the 2020 Census and how federal dollars and representation are tied to Detroit’s population count. He also asked residents to promote the Census by picking up totes, lawn signs, kicker cards and PPE at a drive-up event May 30 at King High School.

At his news briefing May 29, the Mayor was joined by Sandra Turner Handy, a volunteer Census captain who shared how the Moross-Morang neighborhood is promoting the Census. Her neighborhood saw a five-percent increase in its response rate in a week.

Turner Handy said the New Beginnings CDC hosted a virtual Census party on Zoom, where she was able to walk participants through the Census form. The party also included Bingo with numbers associated with the Census, and winners received gift cards.

“Now more than ever we need those federal dollars coming to our city,” said Turner Handy.

For more information and to complete the Census online, go to my2020census.gov.

How is your neighborhood doing in completing the 2020 Census?

Go here to find your neighborhood.

Everybody VS COVID-19 Unity Festival Kicks Off Tonight      to fight against COVID-19 and promote Census response

The City of Detroit kicks off its two-day Everybody Vs COVID-19 Unity Festival tonight as part of an effort to encourage residents to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and to complete the 2020 Census.

The two-day festival May 29-30 will offer hours of in-home entertainment and feature more than 20 musical acts and appearances, including Big Sean, Mayer Hawthorne, Sada Baby, DJ D Nice, La Britney, Gmac Cash and many more Detroit grown and affiliated artists.

The festival is in partnership with fashion label Detroit VS Everybody by Tommey Walker and a host of sponsors.

The musical performances and celebrity appearances will stream live on the City’s Facebook page and YouTube channel with the same content, and a different set of artists will be featured on the City’s Instagram channel.

The pre-show is from 5-7 p.m., and the main show starts at 7 p.m.

Personal Protective Equipment Starter Kits Distributed to 2000 Detroit Small Businesses

DTE Energy volunteers distributed free PPE starter kits to about 2000 Detroit small businesses at the Eastern Market this week. The starter kits with 100 masks, 200 gloves and a gallon of hand sanitizer were donated by the DTE Energy Foundation and are part of the Detroit Means Business Program.

The Detroit Health Department joined the health departments of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties this week in issuing an order requiring that all licensed swimming pools remain closed indefinitely.

These orders were issued under the Michigan Public Health Code to safeguard residents from potential transmission of COVID-19. Pool operators will be required to continue scheduled maintenance in accordance with the Michigan Administrative Rule.

Although pool water poses a low risk of transmitting COVID-19, it is difficult to maintain social distance in and around pools, as well as in the associated facilities, such as enclosures, deck areas and sanitary facilities.

Licensed pools include those in apartments, condominiums, and hotels. Other recreational pools include, but are not limited to, dive pools, wave pools, and water slide pools. Therapy pools used strictly for treatment in healthcare settings are excluded from this closure.

To see the complete news release, go to detroitmi.gov/news.

Any resident of Wayne, Oakland or Macomb County now can get a free COVID-19 test, without a prescription at the State Fairgrounds. Individuals that want to be tested MUST schedule an appointment first by calling (313) 230-0505. The appointment center is open between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday – Sunday

In addition, transportation for Detroit residents who need a ride to the Fairgrounds is still available for $2.  Residents will be transported in a safe, sanitary Honda Odyssey van.

The free testing will continue at the Fairgrounds with as many as 2000 tests being administered daily. For more information on COVID-19 testing at the State Fairgrounds, go to detroitmi.gov/coronavirus.

Health Department Hotline

• A healthcare provider with a possible COVID-19 positive patient
• An individual who suspects they have COVID-19

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at https://www.cdc.gov/
• State of Michigan at http://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus

Meals Available for Detroit Families and Seniors
For information on locations, go to detroitmi.gov/food.

Need Your Water Turned On?
During the COVID-19 outbreak, Detroiters living in households with no water service can sign up for the Water Restart Plan to restore service and keep their water flowing for only $25 per month. Thousands are already participating: sign up here!

Income Tax Deadline now July 15
The City of Detroit has pushed back the deadline for residents and non residents who must file City income taxes to July 15.