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SOS offers extended hours for residents needing to renew licenses

From Aug. 24, through Sept. 30, all Secretary of State branch offices will extend hours until 7 p.m. to offer special appointments for residents to renew driver’s licenses or state ID cards that expire between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2020, and require a branch visit. Customers with driver’s licenses or state ID cards that meet that criteria can schedule an appointment between 4 and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday from Aug. 24 through Sept. 30, 2020. To make an appointment, visit Michigan.gov/SOSAppointments or call 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

 

Secretary of State to offer special appointments, extended hours for customers needing to renew licenses, IDs in person by Sept. 30

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced branch offices would offer special appointments and extended hours for Michigan residents to renew driver’s licenses or state ID cards that expire between Jan. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2020.

Beginning August 24, customers can make appointments for between 4 and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday running from Aug. 24 through Sept. 30. To make an appointment, visit Michigan.gov/SOSAppointments or call 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

“These special appointments are another tool helping us to ensure continued service to Michigan residents during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Benson said. “Since June 1, when our branches reopened for appointments, we’ve completed more than 3 million transactions at branches, online, through self-service stations and by mail to serve the people of Michigan.”

These special appointments are specifically for renewing a Michigan driver’s license or state ID that expires between Jan. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30,2020, and must be renewed in person. Appointments made for license or ID renewals that do not require an in-person visit will be canceled and will need to be rescheduled. Many driver’s licenses and IDs can be renewed online at ExpressSOS.com or by mail.

These appointments can’t be used for any other type of transaction, and, like all appointments, aren’t transferable to another customer. Appointments for other limited types of transactions can continue to be made using the advance and same-day appointment categories available through the online appointment system.
Most vehicle renewals can be conducted online, by mail, or at one of the more than 120 self-service stations across the state. Those vehicle renewals which were previously extended or expire on Sept. 30 must be conducted via one of those methods.

The state previously had extended the renewal dates to Sept. 30 for driver’s licenses, IDs and vehicle registrations expiring after March 1.
 

Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan logo

Grieving Our Pre-Coronavirus Routines

It started with denial.

As cases of COVID-19 started to rise earlier this year, participants in Pam Roose’s online diabetes prevention class figured there wasn’t much to worry about and that things would get back to normal soon enough.

When two weeks led to four, she noticed that attitudes and behaviors started to change. Participants had worked so hard to make healthy changes such as buying healthier foods, getting more physical activity and using support systems to keep them on the healthy lifestyle journey they’d started. But, with limited access to healthy foods, gyms closed and the inability to access their support systems in person, their motivation seemed to fade, replaced by anger, mixed with depression.

“It hit, that this is what’s really happening, and some people got angry and some scared,” Roose said. As a registered dietitian, Roose teaches virtual classes out of her Marquette County home.

Some of her students stopped attending class, while many embraced the opportunity to have an online network of support. Those who stayed, drew on each other for emotional and physical support and learned new coping techniques. When a new class recently started, participants were looking for help to move forward, even asking for ways to build a healthy diet reliant on sustainable foods. They were accepting that life could be different for the foreseeable future and finding new ways to support their healthy lifestyle journey.

GRIEVING A WAY OF LIFE AND FAMILIAR ROUTINES

Throughout the pandemic, many people have felt a sense of loss. Some are grieving loved ones, while many more, including Roose’s students, are grieving aspects of their former way of life.

Stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 radically altered routines and the important ways people structure their lives and form their sense of identity. The ways we exercise, shop and gather all look very different. Big life events such as graduations and weddings had to be canceled, postponed or reimagined. Many lost jobs or faced isolation working from home.

These upheavals to routine are hard to adapt to. Mental health experts say the feelings associated with adjusting are a type of grief. Unlike grieving a death, however, the loss of routine and predictability isn’t over, it’s ongoing for the foreseeable future. Still, it’s important to find constructive ways to move forward.

Not dealing with your emotions can lead to runaway stress and anxiety, which has negative consequences for your mental health. Left unchecked, it can also cause dire physical harm. During the pandemic, cardiologists have found a four-to-five fold increase in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome, typically brought on by extreme physical or emotional distress.

HOW TO MOVE FORWARD IN HEALTHY WAYS

So, how do you appropriately grieve the life you had before COVID-19?

According to the American Psychological Association, identifying and naming what you’ve lost is a good place to start. Maybe you’ve just felt “off” and weren’t quite sure why. Taking stock of the ways your life is different now and figuring out which of those differences make you mad, sad, scared or frustrated can help you figure out how to address those feelings or put action steps in place that can help you feel more in control.

Grieving routines you miss is normal and valid. Roose, who is also a certified intrinsic coach, yoga and Tai Chi teacher, said she’s talking with her students about the people in their lives they can turn to for support and finding ways to connect. “Social distancing doesn’t mean disconnecting socially,” she explained.

While feeling down about restrictions and change is normal, it’s important to be aware of prolonged emotions you feel you can’t get a handle on. Talking to your primary care doctor or a mental health professional about what you’re experiencing can help you determine if further treatment might be needed.

IF YOU’RE IN CRISIS, THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE IS AVAILABLE 24/7 AT 1-800-273-8255.

These resources are also available:

  • If you’re a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network member, many mental health services are covered through your plan.
  • Blue Cross is also offering a free crisis hotline for emotional support for members and non-members at 833-848-1764.
  • Weekly Blue Cross® Virtual Well-Being member webinars explore helpful topics such as mindfulness, healthy eating, exercise and more.
  • The state of Michigan and Headspace are also offering “Stay Home, Stay Mindful”, a website with free mental health resources.

Related:

This article was originally published on www.ahealthiermichigan.org, a website sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  Blue Cross and MADA are your trusted partners in building a healthier business and workforce.

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MIOSHA Answers Your Questions on Workplace Safety Compliance

MIOSHA’s COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director, Sean Egan, has hosted four Q&A webinars to answer questions from employers and employees about compliance with the governor’s executive orders on workplace safety.

While some of the answers are a bit vague because situations from one business to another will be different, this does help provide additional guidance. IMPORTANT NOTE: click the “show more” option to see a list of all the questions asked. This allows you to view questions and in most cases click the timestamp for the answer you want to hear. Links to the four webinars and just a few examples of questions are below. (There are many more questions and answers beyond what is sampled here.)

 

View July 16, 2020 webinar
  • 12:36 – What happens if a worker still tests positive after 2-1/2 weeks and the doctor tells them they are no longer contagious. Can they come back to work? The CDC says after 2 negative tests they can come back.
  • 14:08 – As long as I wear my mask into work. After my temp is taken and my questions answered is it safe to remove my mask once in my office with the door closed? When people enter or I leave the area I reapply the mask.
  • 25:56 – In an office environment, if an employee leaves the premise for an appt, should temp check and questionnaire be asked again?
View July 23, 2020 webinar
  • 20:52 – Is there a timeframe on how long you have to keep the health questionnaires on file?
  • 22:07 – A member of the public comes to our office to make a payment and does not go beyond our front lobby. Is this person required to have a face covering to come inside the lobby area? (Note: Front desk worker in the lobby area is shielded by Plexiglas.)
View July 31, 2020 webinar
  • Note: This week’s webinar is focused on bars and restaurants, but we are including in case you are interested.
View August 7, 2020 webinar
  • 13:00 – Are face masks required during in person meetings in offices if social distancing is in place.
  • 13:23 – If someone is closer than 6 feet but separated by a plexiglass barrier does the 6 ft rule apply?
  • 14:11 – Is there a template than can be provided to record employee’s answers to daily self screening questions?
  • 14:56 – What if an employee’s spouse tests positive, but is not symptomatic. What should we do before allowing him back to work?
  • 15:38 – Our front office is closed to the public, our staff cubicle walls go 3/4 to the ceiling and spacing of work areas are greater than 6 feet apart, some even 12 feet from anyone else. Do they need to wear masks at all times while sitting at their desk? As it is all in the same ‘room’?

MADA welcomes new associate member, Bellavia Blatt, P.C.

Bellavia Blatt is a pioneer and leading dealer advocate for Retail Warranty Reimbursement, having successfully obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in retail warranty increases over the past 30 years for dealerships across the nation. The firm provides a unique expertise and understanding of Michigan’s warranty reimbursement statutes, so dealers can maximize their Retail Warranty Reimbursement. Due to the volume of work performed, the firm offers a low flat fee that is fair and competitive and is generally recouped within the first month of receiving reimbursement at retail.
For more information please visit dealerlaw.com. You may also contact Leonard Bellavia at (516) 873-3000 or email lbellavia@dealerlaw.com.
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Registration for NADA Show 2021 Now Open

Attendee registration and housing are now open for NADA Show 2021, the Automotive Industry Event of the year, returning to New Orleans, Jan. 21-24. This latest installment of the Show will be the most important yet during this new era of business for dealers.
Learn the latest strategies to navigate business disruptions from NADA Academy instructors, get legislative and regulatory updates from experts, share insights with top industry professionals, and shop the latest dealership tools and products at NADA Expo.

Registration is required to book a hotel – and the best hotel selections always fill up quickly so register soon to book your preferred hotel. Visit nadashow.org today to secure your registration and start planning for this year’s Show!
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MADA welcomes AmeriLabs24 as our newest associate member

We are pleased to inform dealers that AmeriLabs24 has joined MADA as our newest associate member.
With a Lansing-based laboratory, plus work-site and mobile collection testing options, AmeriLabs24 can quickly and conveniently assist dealers with various employee testing needs.
  • Drug testing for pre-employment, random testing, post-accident and DOT
  • Hazmat, Twic and TSA pre-check interviews
  • Background fingerprinting with Identogo
  • Collection site for blood work with Quest and Labcorp
Learn more at www.amerilabs24.com. You may also contact Paula Ervin, director of business operations at paulae@amerilabs24.com or (517) 215-7209.