Yesterday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-77, extending Michigan’s “stay-at-home” order until May 28, 2020, at 11:59pm. This new order permits the manufacturing sector to re-open operations, with certain working safeguards.

The new order, when looked at in conjunction with recent guidance issued by Michigan’s chief deputy health director, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, does not change our analysis of how Michigan’s stay-at-home orders affect Michigan chiropractors and their practices. For more, see the MAC Matters emails dated May 1, 2020, and May 5, 2020.

Also yesterday, Governor Whitmer detailed her MI Safe Start Plan for regional economic re-engagement in Michigan. The plan, developed with input from leaders in health care, business, labor and education, is based on six phases of the pandemic, including: (1) uncontrolled growth, (2) persistent spread, (3) flattening, (4) improving, (5) containing, and (6) post-pandemic. The plan also creates eight regions that will be used to determine if different parts of the state are in different phases of the plan. Governor Whitmer and her team have determined that Michigan is currently in at least phase 3 – flattening.

Stay tuned for more information as it develops.

The State of Michigan’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order (Executive Order 2020-70) requires Michigan businesses that remain open for in-person work to develop a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, consistent with recommendations in the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. The Order also requires the plan to be “available at company headquarters or the worksite.”

The MAC has developed a sample plan that chiropractic practices can tailor to fit their needs. To download the customizable MAC Sample Preparedness and Response Plan Microsoft Word document, go to the MAC COVID-19 Information page and click on the COVID-19 Toolkit. You can find the Sample Preparedness and Response Plan under “MAC Information.”

The MAC is organizing a virtual food drive through Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and we are asking for your help!

National ChiroCares Giving Back Day not only symbolizes the power of positivity within the chiropractic profession, but it also further exemplifies the commitment chiropractors demonstrate as healthcare providers and pillars of their communities, ready and willing to help those who are in need.

Let’s work together to strengthen our communities, enhance the quality of life for those who are in need, and do our part to give back to the communities that we serve.

Find the materials to promote this amazing cause to your local press and to your patients here!

The Michigan Association of Chiropractors is a professional association advocating for the rights of chiropractors and their patients across the state of Michigan. We are NOT a state agency or regulatory body. We are merely informing our membership regarding what they are allowed to do during this difficult and confusing time.

The information we provide during this pandemic is derived in conjunction with our governmental relations and legal experts, developed after examination of all official releases of information from the State of Michigan, the federal government, and in consultation with said experts and representatives from state government. Please refer to our emails and website for the latest information, free from speculation and the rumors currently circulating in the wake of official state actions.

Rest assured that we will continue to advocate for the profession at the highest levels, with the health and well-being of you and your patients, as well as the overall stability of the health care system, foremost in our efforts.