| 2 min | by Doug Marrin |
Washtenaw County Commissioner Sue Shink told the Dexter Forum that she believes it is the county’s determination, unity, and civility that is the key to getting through the current crisis.
“This is an incredible crisis, the likes of which none of us have ever seen before,” Sue told the Dexter Forum. “People will follow their leaders if their leaders can present a compelling case and act with integrity.”
She explained that the Board of Commissioners is standing with residents with the message of “We’re in this together. We’re going to help you to the best of our ability. And we will not stop until this crisis is over.”
Sue described how the Board has allocated almost $4 million in supportive funds. Their supportive allocations triggered a $1 million dollar private donation to add to the local business emergency fund.
Mental health services have increased with the county’s staff proactively reaching out to some residents to offer support. The Sheriff’s Office has been involved with food deliveries for people who, for one reason or another, find it difficult to get out of the home for necessities.
Sue also said that the county has not experienced the pushback against the mitigation efforts that other parts of the state have experienced. Washtenaw County remains in line with Governor Whitmer’s order to stay home, stay safe, and minimize public interaction.
“We’re finding that people are good with the restrictions that are being placed on them because they understand the importance of them, and they understand that we are trying to protect them,” Sue said. “We are working in a very united and civil way.”
A look at the data suggests Washtenaw County residents and leaders have been “working in a very united way.” The county has successfully kept the curve of new cases relatively flat, which is the reason for the restrictions to be put into place.
Washtenaw County recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 11. Governor Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order went into effect March 24. During the next two weeks, Washtenaw County’s daily new case count peaked, as expected, with a total of 549 cases through April 7 averaging 39 new cases a day.
Since April 8, the county has averaged 20 new cases each day, and that number is decreasing, indicating that mitigation efforts have been effective in flattening the curve and avoiding a spike in cases that could have overwhelmed our healthcare system. Auxillary hospital wards that had been set up have gone unused.
“I would appreciate some of our other state leaders hearing this message,” concluded Sue. “This is a time where we all need to work together.”
Sue represents District 2 in Washtenaw County which is the northeast corner including Webster Twp. and a bit of Dexter Twp.
