In early July, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expanded and toughened Michigan’s mask-wearing requirements in an ongoing attempt to quell the spread of the coronavirus.
The executive order reiterates that individuals must wear face masks whenever they are in indoor public places and also mandates masks for crowded outdoor places. Businesses are now required to refuse entry to service to customers who do not comply, with limited exceptions.
The new requirements mirror those that Gift of Life Michigan put in place as support staff began to return to its Ann Arbor headquarters earlier this month.
“It’s important to remember that we are still in the midst of a pandemic,” said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan. “We are committed to the safety of our team, our donor families and our neighbors throughout Michigan.”
In addition to the face mask requirements, Gift of Life Michigan implemented additional safety precautions for team members and visitors, including:
- Employees, visitors, contractors and deliveries will enter the facility through the main visitor entrance. They will be required to complete a screening process that includes questions about potential COVID exposure and have their temperature taken.
- Several departments will be reorganized so that employees will be able to adhere to social distancing requirements.
- Employees will maintain social distancing guidelines throughout the day.
- The building will be cleaned frequently throughout the day; employees will also be required to disinfect their work area when they arrive and when they leave.
Hospital development employees will continue to work with and adhere to guidelines at the hospitals and transplant centers they visit throughout the state.
In addition, Gift of Life Michigan is working to reschedule and recreate events designed to educate the public about the need for organ donation, as well those that honor and celebrate donor families and organ donation champions, including:
- The Gift of Life Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) LIFE Walk/Run, scheduled for July 25 at Belle Isle, will become a virtual weeklong event
- The Michigan Donor Family Gathering, which honors donor families from the previous year, has been rescheduled to Aug. 2, and will be a virtual event
- The Donate Life Day at the Zoo, scheduled for Aug. 29 in Grand Rapids, will be a virtual event
- The 2020 Champions Gala has been rescheduled for Nov. 5 at Lovett Hall at The Henry Ford.
Many businesses have publicly declared their intention to follow the executive order and some, including Gift of Life Michigan, have signed the #MaskUpMichigan pledge through the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“Obviously, we care about the safety of our team, our volunteers, the community and the people we serve – many of whom are immunocompromised,” said Bruce Nicely, chief clinical officer of Gift of Life Michigan. “Beyond that, we think this is just the socially responsible thing to do.”
