City of Detroit and healthcare officials today urged residents, especially those in high-risk categories, to get a flu shot. Their message was clear: Get your flu shot early and go where it is most convenient.

Mayor Duggan was joined by Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair; Bob Riney, Henry Ford Health System COO; Karima Bentounsi, CEO for Adult Central Campus Hospitals of Detroit Medical Center; and Joseph Hurshe, COO with Ascension Health, at his news briefing September 16 which focused on flu vaccinations.

“We want to avoid having a crisis with our healthcare facilities treating individuals with the seasonal flu and the coronavirus at the same time.  The best way to avoid that is for individuals to get a flu shot,” the Mayor said.

Medical professionals across the country are preparing for a likely increase in COVID-19 cases this fall coinciding with flu season.

The Detroit Health Department (DHD) is launching a public information campaign to promote the importance of residents, as early as six months, getting vaccinated, particularly as the fight against COVID-19 continues. As a part of that effort, DHD is:

• Planning to launch a digital, TV and billboard advertising campaign to begin in October.
• Offering key tips, facts, FAQs and printable flyers and other resources via a Flu Vaccination Tool Kit for City managers and directors, and for businesses
• Launching a 10-week effort to provide free flu vaccinations for those in high-risk populations in 21 emergency shelters, 164 adult foster care facilities, and 82 senior living centers
• Offering flu vaccinations for residents who are uninsured at its Immunization Clinic at 100 Mack via appointment at 313-876-IMMS (4667).

For a complete list of low or no cost flu vaccination locations, visit www.detroitmi.gov/health

2020 Census Ends September 30

Detroit residents are reminded they have two more weeks to complete their Census before the count officially ends September 30.

Over the next two weeks, residents can expect to see official U.S. Census Bureau  enumerators knocking on doors across the city in a final effort to get Detroiters counted.

Completing the Census is easy and can be done right from home and by phone. Here’s how:

• Go online to: my2020census.gov
• Call (844) 330-2020 (English)
• Call (844) 468-2020 (Spanish)
• Residents also can complete the form that was mailed to their homes

Mayor Mike Duggan today announced a major expansion of the City’s speed hump installation program, with plans to install 4500 next year.  Mayor Duggan and Department of Public Works Director Ron Brundidge outlined the program at a news briefing September 16.

The City first tested the speed humps in 2018 as a way to reduce speeding and improve safety in neighborhoods. As a result of a favorable response from residents, DPW will nearly quadruple the number of speed hump installations for 2021 from the 1200 installed this year. The City has allocated $11.5 million for the 2021 program, utilizing state transportation funds and planned capital projects that have been reprioritized.

In 2021, some of the determining factors for a street to receive a speed hump will include:

• Streets routinely used as a cut-through, or shortcut to bypass major road traffic
• Blocks on densely populated streets, especially those blocks with a larger number of children
• Streets where the Detroit Police Department has documented incidents of speeding and reckless driving behaviors
• Streets with speed limits of 25 mph, and daily traffic volumes of at least 1000 vehicles per day

Residents are reminded that simply submitting a speed hump request does not guarantee that they will be installed. The City’s traffic engineering team will assess all requests received to ensure the above criteria is met.

To request a speed hump, go to detroitmi.gov/dpw.

Department of Public Works crews install a speed hump on a street near a school.

Health Department Hotline

• 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!