Kevin Lavery

Small businesses in mid-Michigan may be eligible for financial help as they grapple with lost income during the coronavirus outbreak. 

Michigan hospitals aren’t the only places strained by a lack of protective gear.    Homeless shelters are also struggling to protect their staff and clients. 

The coronavirus outbreak is affecting many parts of Michigan’s economy, including music.  Countless musicians who had planned performances have been forced to cancel those gigs and look for other ways to make ends meet.  But one local organization has refused to sing the blues. 

Mid-Michigan housing advocates say resources are available for homeowners and renters struggling to make payments during the coronavirus outbreak. 

Millions of people in the Great Lakes State are in self-isolation in a mass effort to stave off the coronavirus.  Still, a spirit of volunteerism is flourishing in mid-Michigan. 

The coronavirus has parents across Michigan wondering how the final months of their children’s school year will continue.  But state educators say that decision is ultimately out of their hands.

Sparrow Hospital has become one of five facilities in Michigan to conduct same-day testing of possible coronavirus patients. 

As the coronavirus outbreak spreads, hospitals across the U.S. are scrambling to expand their capability to test patients for the disease.  Sparrow Hospital in Lansing is the first medical facility in mid-Michigan to offer same-day inpatient testing.  WKAR’s Kevin Lavery spoke with Sparrow Laboratories medical director Dr. James Richard to learn more.

Editor's Note:  Sparrow Hospital is limiting testing to patients already in the hospital and certain medical staff most at risk of COVID-19 exposure.  Tests are not available to the general public.

The Michigan National Guard is helping to deliver equipment to health professionals battling to contain the coronavirus in Michigan.  

A Michigan education think tank says it’s concerned about the learning gap disadvantaged students are facing as schools remain closed because of the coronavirus.