(I know numerous other states with Democratic governors have issued similar executive orders already, but I'm a lifelong Michigander as are most of my family so this one comes as particular relief to me)...
via email (no link yet):
Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Directive, Ensuring Michiganders Can Access Vaccines to Stay Healthy Ahead of Cold, COVID-19, and Flu Season
LANSING, Mich.—Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive, ensuring vaccines remain available to Michiganders as we approach the fall. Specifically, she has instructed state agencies to identify and remove any barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines, so Michiganders can stay healthy ahead of cold and flu season. Governor Whitmer remains committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of every Michigander and their families.
US exit from WHO could see fifth of budget disappear
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO).
"Oooh, that's a big one," the newly inaugurated US president said as he approved the document after arriving back at the White House. It was one of dozens of executive actions he put his signature to on day one in office.
...Under the Biden administration the US continued to be the largest funder of the WHO and in 2023 it contributed almost one-fifth of the agency's budget.
The organisation's annual budget is $6.8bn (£5.5bn).
It is possible that funding could disappear almost immediately, and it is not clear that other nations will step up to fill the gap.
A US withdrawal could have an impact on WHO's ability to respond to emergencies such as an Ebola outbreak, or MPOX – let alone another Covid-19-style pandemic.
Last night President Biden raised a lot of eyebrows during a 60 Minutes segment in which he was being interviewed while walking through the Detroit Auto Show:
Scott Pelley: "Mr. President...first Auto Show in three years...is the pandemic over?"
President Biden: "The pandemic is over...we still have a problem with COVID...we're still doing a lot of work on it...but the pandemic is over...If you notice, no one's wearing masks; everyone seems to be in pretty good shape...and so I think it's changing, and I think this is a perfect example of it."
(sigh)
Then, today, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, who I had hoped would try to walk back and/or clarify the President's statement, instead doubled down on it:
U.S. Health Sec. Xavier Becerra supported a surprise comment over the weekend from President Joe Biden, who declared the pandemic over.
"The president is correct," Becerra told Yahoo Finance Monday.