By David Eggert
Associated Press
LANSING (AP) — Michigan on Friday ceased in-person visits to state prisoners to limit their exposure to the coronavirus.
The move came after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made a late-night announcement that all public and private schools — covering more than 1.5 million kids — will be closed for three weeks starting today.
As of Thursday, Michigan had 12 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
“This was not a decision we arrived at lightly, as we understand and recognize the importance of family contact with the prison population,” Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington said in a statement. ”Our primary concern has to be public safety, and reducing the number of people who enter our facilities is a key factor in limiting the potential spread of this illness into our prisoner population."
Corrections officers and others working inside prisons will be asked screening questions and will have their temperature checked before being allowed to enter.
Those with a temperature above 100.4 will not be allowed to work.
Also Friday, the Department of Education said it planned to talk with K-12 districts regarding the feeding of children during the three-week closure.
Many kids receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school.
“These are complex issues in a rapidly changing environment in a state of 842 diverse school districts,” said spokesman Martin Ackley. “Guidance will be released to school districts on a subject-by-subject basis as information and/or updates become available.”
For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.
For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the virus, which has infected more than 137,000 people worldwide and has killed more than 5,000.
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