Michigan continues to halt in-person high school classes another 12 days

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference Monday, Dec. 7. (State of Michigan)

High schools in Michigan will remain closed for in-person instruction for 12 more days starting Wednesday, as concerns rise over COVID-19 cases in the state, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday afternoon.

“The additional 12 days will allow the department to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan,” according to a statement from the state.

Students have been learning virtually since mid-November, when the state instituted a three-week pause that placed greater restrictions on restaurants, bars, and gyms. K-8 students were not affected.

The state announced the three-week pause on Nov. 15. It was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

In addition to halting in-person learning at high schools and higher education institutions, the pause has shut down theaters, stadiums, arenas, casinos, group fitness classes, and organized sports. Restaurants and bars can open only for outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

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The request for a Supreme Court hearing comes about six weeks after a federal appeals court ruled against the Catholic preschools.

Districts must agree to state investigations if a mass casualty event happens in order to get the funds.

Recent data doesn’t definitively prove all closings lead to higher gun violence, but they do show areas where it worsened after closure that can’t be explained by citywide spikes.

Each of the schools at risk of closing this year will have a meeting over the next two months. The first will be at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Frayser-Corning Elementary School.

Board members have floated the idea as a potential way to right-size the district, but have stressed they would not act on it without community input.

A spokesman for the Michigan Department of Education said a policy change for the after-school snack program would have to go through the federal government.