Michigan quickly distributing 400 ventilators from feds
DETROIT (AP) — Michigan is sending half of the 400 ventilators it received from the federal government to Detroit-area hospitals facing a surge of coronavirus patients, the state health department said Wednesday.
The remaining 200 breathing machines will be set aside for seven regions across the state that have fewer COVID-19 patients at this time, said Lynn Sutfin, an agency spokeswoman.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported statewide jumped Wednesday by 1,719 to bring the total count to 9,334 — a 22 percent increase. Meanwhile, deaths rose by 78 — a 30 percent increase — to 337.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has identified ventilators as a critical need. Hospitals in Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair counties are due to get 100 ventilators.
Another 100 will go to hospitals in Wayne, Washtenaw and Monroe counties.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
Older adults and people with existing health problems are among those particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.
Nearly 150 prisoners and 25 staff members have tested positive at various sites, the state Corrections Department said.
Meanwhile, federal agents pledged to investigate the hoarding of critical medical goods, including face masks, gloves and gowns.
U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said he’ll pursue people stashing more than needed or those “trying to rip off” the public by selling products at excessive rates.
High court accepts case on police immunity from lawsuits
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by police officers who believe they deserve immunity from a lawsuit filed by college student who says he was beaten up in a case of mistaken identity.
The court agreed Monday to hear the case, which may help clarify questions over the extent of a doctrine called “qualified immunity.”
The doctrine grants police officers and other state and local officials broad protection from lawsuits.
The Arlington, Virginia-based Institute for Justice represents the college student, James King of Grand Rapids, Michigan. King's lawyers said they are glad the issue will go before the Supreme Court.
Institute president Scott Bullock said “wants to extend its immunity beyond what was intended, and we look forward to explaining to the Court why this extension should not be allowed.”
King, now 27, was a college student in 2014 when plainclothes officers on a federal-local task force operating in Grand Rapids approached him as part of an effort to find a nonviolent fugitive.
King thought the officers were muggers when they grabbed for his wallet seeking identification.
He ran off and the officers chased him down and beat him to the point that bystanders called 911, concerned that King would be killed.
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