This column originally appeared in Michigan Advance on April 12, 2021
Dr. Anthony Fauci has been asked whether the United States is “turning a corner” and can soon expect to see an end to the coronavirus pandemic. He has refrained from saying that is so. And I get it! No matter how much we want to believe that this summer will be entirely different compared to the last 12 months, the truth is that the answer depends on our actions.
Throughout the past year, we’ve learned more about SARS-CoV-2 than we’d ever hoped to. We’ve learned that we don’t need to stock up on toilet paper but frequent hand washing and getting outside are simple ways to protect ourselves. We’ve learned and adopted healthy behaviors that we had never heard of before. (I’m looking at you “social distancing.”) We’ve collectively managed to do extraordinary things to protect each other and ourselves. And now that there are three safe and highly effective vaccines against COVID-19 available, we have yet another urgent opportunity to defend our state from this virus.
In anticipation of Michigan getting its first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer established the Protect Michigan Commission—a diverse collection of individuals from across the state each representing a distinct industry, profession and background. As a health policy analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, I feel proud to have been selected to join the commission, whose goal is to provide input on the state’s outreach and communication plans to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. It’s been an honor to elevate questions residents of our state have about getting inoculated from coronavirus and to consider how I might be at least a small part of the work that helps Michigan accomplish the remarkable feat of successfully executing the largest vaccine program in our state’s history.
To date, nearly five million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Michigan. Approximately 70 percent of Michiganders over the age of 65 have received at least a first dose, and more than 82,000 individuals have been vaccinated at the Ford Field clinic, which opened only two weeks ago. And last week, Gov. Whitmer established a new daily vaccine goal of 100,000 shots per day. This change is the result of the state consistently meeting or exceeding the original goal of administering 50,000 vaccinations per day.
I am heartened by our state’s vaccination progress and hope to see it continue because if we are truly going to make this summer feel different than the last, we must all do our part in getting control of this virus. Continuing to wash our hands, social distance, wear masks when in groups indoors, obtain a test after a potential exposure, and, yes, securing a vaccine appointment when one is available will help us to make this pandemic past tense. Not only do the vaccines prevent serious illness and death, they are also showing their capacity to slow the spread of the virus, something we desperately need to do to win the battle against variants.
As of Monday, April 5, every Michigander age 16 and older became eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. And this expanded access couldn’t come at a better time given that our state is experiencing a sharp rise in infection numbers. Now is the time for all of us to do our part for personal health, for public health and for a return to normalcy. Every dose gets us closer to life after coronavirus.
That’s my pitch! Please get a vaccine when you can and encourage others to do the same. For more information and to register for a vaccine appointment near you, go to michigan.gov/covidvaccine. Let’s turn the corner together…
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Jacob Kaplan 
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
