Volume 011 | July 10, 2020
Public Health Update
As COVID-19 persists in our state, all of use know the importance of continuing to get people back to work and keep the economy moving. The landscape is changing everyday and it is up to all of us to keep Muskegon healthy. Public Health - Muskegon County encourages citizens to continue to take preventative measures and precautions: wear a face covering, practice physical distancing, avoid those who are sick, and wash your hands frequently. These actions will help ensure we do not move backward, and instead stay careful, avoid bringing the virus home and keep our state open.
Executive Order 2020-147: Masks
Following the uptick in COVID-19 cases, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-147. The order reiterates that individuals are required to wear a face covering whenever they are in an indoor public space.
The order also:
  • Requires the use of face coverings in crowded outdoor spaces.
  • Requires any business that is open to the public to refuse entry or service to people who refuse to wear a face covering, with limited exceptions.
  • Takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday July 13.
  • Makes willful violations subject to a $500 criminal penalty.
  • No individual is subject to penalty under the order for removing a mask while engaging in religious worship while at a house of worship. Congregants are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and maintain physical distance during religious services.
  • See the full order.
Protect Yourself from Ticks
The range of blacklegged ticks is growing in Michigan and Public Health - Muskegon County is actively conducting surveillance for this species of tick. We encourage you to take steps to protect yourself from illnesses spread by ticks, such as Lyme disease.
There are several ways to protect yourself from tick bites:
  • Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be spotted easily
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck pants into socks. Wear boots or shoes instead of sandals
  • Apply insect repellents with DEET to clothes and exposed skin
  • Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors to more easily find ticks
  • Conduct a full-body tick check using a mirror. Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and hair
  • Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride on clothing and pets and then attach to a person later
  • Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for an hour to kill ticks
 
If a blacklegged tick is found, it can be sent to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for testing. Ticks can also be directly submitted to MDHHS at  www.michigan.gov/lyme . For more information, contact us at (231)724-1252.
Stay Up to Date! Well-Child Visits are Essential!
In recent months, families have been doing their part by staying at home as much as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19. As communities open up, it’s important your child goes in for their well-child visit. These well-child visits are essential for many reasons, including:
  • Tracking growth and development including milestones, social behaviors, and learning
  • Discussing any concerns about your child’s health
  • Getting scheduled vaccinations to prevent illnesses like measles and whooping cough (pertussis) and 12 other serious diseases
Learn more here !
Keep Your Cool this Summer!
Summer weather means getting outside and having fun or working in the yard, but too much heat can make you sick. Heat waves are the leading cause of extreme weather-related deaths in the United States.As the hot weather continues, it's important to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.
  • Stay cool
  • Stay hydrated
  • Stay informed

Get all the info here!