Twenty-two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the Felician Sisters convent and at least 11 sisters have died since April 10. Five of the deaths have been tied to the virus; the causes of the other six are not yet confirmed. 

Sister Mary Luiza Wawrzyniak, 99, Sister Celine Marie Lesinski, 92, Sister Mary Estelle Printz, 95, Sister Thomas Marie Wadowski, 73, Sister Mary Patricia Pyszynski, 93, Sister Mary Clarence (Adeline) Borkoski, 83, Sister Rose Mary Wolak, 86, Sister Mary Janice (Margaret) Zolkowski, 86, Sister Mary Ann (Fernanda) Alice Gradowski, 73, Sister Victoria Marie Indyk, 69, Sister Mary Martinez (Virginia) Rozek, 87.

For a description of the life each of these 11 sisters lived link here to a complete story in Bridge Magazine, Michigan's nonpartisan, nonprofit news source.

It is heartbreaking when we lose a family member, a neighbor, a teacher. The loses mount, in Livonia, in Michigan, and nearly 70,000 nationwide. We have another extended family in Livonia that has made a significant impact on the community, values, and even personality. 

The typewriter wishes that there was a public display that would give us the pictures of all of our Livonia family members who have passed. Here we have 11 family members of our larger Livonia community.  11 family members who taught at schools, built a University, opened a child-care center, and were out and about at luncheons, fundraisers, community activites.

80 years making an impact. 11 members passing away in one family. A tremendous loss. 

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Covid-19 takes Armand and Ruth Vigna within hours of each other.

Franklin High School honored former head coach Armand Vigna and his wife, Ruth, who both died from the coronavirus within 12 hours of each other.   Franklin's football stadium had its lights on Friday night to honor Vigna, with the scoreboard reading the final score of the 1975 championship game.

Vigna led Franklin's program from that championship '75 season until 1992.   Vigna died at age 84 Monday night due to COVID-19 and his wife, Ruthie, passed away due to the virus 12 hours later.

(Photo Credit to  Fox 2)

More than 2 weeks ago our Livonia service clubs, Jaycees, Rotary AM, Lions and Kiwanis Early Risers, collected food donations to support the administration and staff of our St. Mary Mercy Hospital. Matt Collins, President of the Livonia Lions asks that our hometown "once again recognize and thank all of our participating small businesses and organizations who have provided their support to this program since its inception."  

Aleko's (Jeffery Naeger)        Alpha USA        Arby's - 7 Mile Rd.        Archie's        Beirut Bakery        Biggby Coffee - Ann Arbor Rd.

Cantoro's         Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church        Costco        Daly Restaurant        Domino's Pizza        Elite Catering        Feed the Front Lines

Georges Senate        Granite City        Heritage Bakery        Independent Bank        Jersey Mikes - Middlebelt Rd.        Jersey Mikes - 6 Mile Rd. 

Jets Pizza - 7 Mile Rd.        Jimmy Johns        Jimmy Johns (Joanne Roe & Friends)        Joes Produce        Joe Randazzo's        Karl's Cabin

Larry's Foodland        Lees Chicken        Leftys (Local 98 and Guardian Plumbers)        Little Caesars Pizza        Mamarita Catering

Marip's Pizza        Mods Pizza        Moes on Ten         Pridestaff        Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts Program        Subway on Five 

Supernatural Brewery      Thomas's Restaurant      Westborn Market      Zukins Rib Shack

Collins goes on to say that "We truly appreciate the generous support that these and other area businesses are providing for our courageous nurses and doctors who are engaged and at risk in this challenging battle with COVID 19.  We invite readers of Musings to include these businesses in their patronage of our local businesses. 

"Special Thanks to those members of the Livonia Community who are helping to make a difference by making a cash donation in support of this Program.  Funds raised are used to purchase food items and are shared with our food providers to help offset some of the cost of these donations. 

"Special Thanks also to the volunteers who Pick Up and Delivery many of these donations.".   

Last week, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittee on Research & Technology, held a bipartisan teleconference with Mr. Mike Molnar, Director of the Office of Advanced Manufacturing at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Ms. Carroll Thomas, Director of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at NIST, to understand how these programs are helping to support and mobilize manufacturers during the during the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, including through the production of PPE, vaccines, and other essential medical supplies.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deep vulnerabilities in our nation's critical manufacturing sector," said Haley Stevens (D-MI) of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology. "In this time of great need, NIST's Manufacturing USA program and Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers are stepping up to the challenge of assisting small and medium manufacturers who are at the front lines of producing the medical equipment we so badly need to respond to the monumental challenge before us. After leading the reauthorization of the Manufacturing USA program last year, I will continue to champion this essential program moving forward as we look to the manufacturing sector to rebuild our economy and protect us from future vulnerabilities in our supply chain."

The Members and Directors Molnar and Thomas discussed how the Manufacturing USA program and MEP centers are spending funding they received under the CARES Act; the immediate needs of manufacturers looking to contribute to COVID-19 response, and how these NIST programs are meeting these needs; the immediate and long-term impacts on the U.S. supply chain due to the pandemic and what is needed to mitigate these impacts; how the manufacturing workforce is being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and how Manufacturing USA workforce development programs and MEP centers are helping manufacturers manage workforce challenges; and how Manufacturing USA institutes and MEP centers are mobilizing small and medium manufacturers across the nation to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis by disseminating resources about federal programs and providing technical assistance.

"Americans' basic needs have been dramatically altered during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "Our first responders, essential workers, and constituents are in dire need of personal protective equipment, medications, testing kits, and, eventually, a vaccine. With the assistance of NIST's Manufacturing USA Program and Manufacturing Extension Partnership, small and medium sized manufactures are filling a critical role to address the needs of the American people during this pandemic. I applaud NIST's manufacturing programs for stepping up to the challenge of providing essential support and services in these trying times."