Up-to-Date and Accurate Information on Coronavirus
Jan. 13 COVID-19 Order: Gathering Guidelines
Were you or someone you know impacted by the MDHHS Gathering and Face Mask Order of November 18, 2020?
The Employee Assistance Grants were made available by Senate Bill 748 and are designed to provide support to employees impacted by the MDHHS Gathering and Face Mask Order that took effect on November 18, 2020. The application period will be open on January 15, 2021 at 9:00 AM and will be available until January 25, 2021 at 5:00 PM. Find out if you qualify for a grant and submit your form here. The form will not work with Internet Explorer. You must use Chrome or Firefox to complete it.
Need support applying?
Herrick District Library and Howard Miller Public Library have computers and on-site help in navigating the Employee Assistance Grant Program.
Location:
300 South River Avenue. Holland, MI 49423
Hours:
Monday, January 18 – Wednesday, January 20: 9 am – 9 pm
Thursday, January 21 – Friday, January 22: 9 am – 6 pm
Saturday, January 23: 9 am – 2 pm
Monday, January 25: 9 am – 5 pm
Howard Miller Public Library
Location:
14 S Church St, Zeeland, MI 49464
Hours:
Monday, January 18 – Friday, January 22: 9 am – 6 pm
Monday, January 25: 9 am – 5 pm
Vaccinate West Michigan
To help make informed decisions, a consortium of West Michigan health departments, hospitals, healthcare providers, universities and others have launched www.VaccinateWestMI.com where area residents can find the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine. The site includes information about vaccine availability, local distribution plans, safety and efficacy, and will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Ottawa Department of Public Health - Sign up for COVID-19 Vaccine Notifications
Use this link to sign up for notifications on when you can register for a vaccine appointment. NOTE: This is not to register for an appointment. Once you are notified that your phase is ready for vaccination you will be able to register for an appointment.
State of Michigan
Learn more about the vaccine testing, production, and distribution plan here. Find links to Frequently Asked Questions and the prioritization guidance as well.
CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
Find the CDC's COVID-19 VIS here. A VIS or Vaccine Information Statement is a document, produced by CDC, that informs vaccine recipients – or their parents or legal representatives – about the benefits and risks of a vaccine they are receiving.
Misinformation on Vaccines and Social Media
An article from Harvard School of Public Health on Establishing the Truth: Vaccines, Social Media, and the Spread of Misinformation.
Herd Immunity and COVID-19
Learn how herd immunity can be accomplished concerning COVID-19. This article also explains what herd immunity is and why it doesn't always work. Click here to get to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology's article.
World Health Organization Q&A on Vaccinations
"This Q&A addresses the common misconceptions about vaccination that are often cited by concerned parents as reasons to question the wisdom of having their children vaccinated." See the Q&A here.
MedlinePlus COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Keep checking back with the NLM’s Medlineplus resource as they will continue to update consumer-level info on COVID vaccines as it becomes available. There’re also Medlineplus articles and tutorials on evaluating Internet health information.
Thank you to Tim Klunder and the Library of Michigan for wording some of these descriptions.
Check the official city webpage concerning Covid-19 for city updates.
County Resources
Ottawa County's Department of Health has put together a list of facts and figures about the coronavirus. Find updates about what we know about the virus and check their myth vs. facts.
Ottawa County's Community Mental Health page has resources that range from local to national concerning mental health. Find resources in English and Espanol.
Internet Resources
Find low cost internet services and computers using this site. There are a variety of check boxes. Everyone who lives in the 49464 zip code and has at least one K-12 student in the home would qualify for a special internet offer, if they don’t already have access. If that student also qualifies for free/reduced cost lunch, there are four internet offers and multiple offers for getting low cost devices too.
Meal Services
Find the schedule for Zeeland Public School's meal service here. As of April 17th, meal services are hosted at 27 locations on Mondays and Thursday. Please check for the specific time the meals will be at each location.
Harvest Stand Ministries in Zeeland has a food pantry that is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. You can also donate high need items if you have enough to spare. Learn more about the food pantry and how to donate here.
Community Action House in Holland has a food pantry and community kitchen available. Check out the times they are available here.
Enter your ZIP code and find meal services through Feeding America. You can find the dates for various West Michigan Mobile Food Pantries here.
Secretary of State offers special appointments,
extended hours to renew driver’s licenses/state IDs
Residents can renew their driver’s license/state ID before the Sept. 30 extension deadline—and avoid paying the late fee— by making an appointment today online at Michigan.gov/SOS or by calling 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).
Secretary of State branches have extended hours and opened up special appointments from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at all branches through Sept. 30 for renewing Michigan driver’s licenses/state IDs that expire between Jan. 1, 2020, and Oct. 31, 2020, and require a branch visit. Appointments are still available but filling up fast. Book your appointment now. These special appointments can only be used for renewing a license/ID that meets the above criteria.
Complete information about these special appointments, regular appointments for other types of transactions and other ways to renew is available on the Secretary of State website.
Relief for Mortgages
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) announce the creation of the MiMortgage Relief Partnership with over 200 of Michigan’s financial institutions to recognize and expand upon the measures that these institutions have been taking to assist customers to ensure that no one experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 will lose their home during this public health crisis. Read the press release here to learn more. You will find instructions on how to apply to this service here.
Mental Health
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching a statewide warmline for Michiganders living with persistent mental health conditions. The warmline will connect individuals with certified peer support specialists who have lived experiences of behavioral health issues, trauma or personal crises, and are trained to support and empower the callers.
The warmline will operate seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753).
It is intended to serve individuals living with persistent mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and trauma. Individuals in crisis, including those considering suicide, are urged to contact the Disaster Distress Helpline 24/7 at 800-985-5990 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 800-273-8255.
Requesting Aid
Seniors who need extra support during these times can sign up for assistance, including meal delivery, delivery of non-perishable food items, and daily wellness-check calls, through the Michigan Department of Human Health Services, MDHH, COVID-19 website.
Scammers
Check Michigan's Department of Attorney General COVID-19 Scam Watch. Don't fall victim to a scam and report any suspicious behavior.
Testing Sites
Are you worried you have contracted coronavirus? Find a testing site near you by entering your address on this webpage.
Unemployment and Employer Resources
Claiming unemployment benefits during COVID-19? Follow this guide if you have been laid off as a result of COVID-19. Reclamación de prestaciones por desempleo durante el coronavirus.
Coronavirus resources for employers and employees from the state of Michigan.
Learn if you are eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and how to file for assistance here.
Volunteering and Donations
If you are looking to volunteer, start here! This is a web page allows you to sign up to volunteer for a variety of activities and donate money or materials.
Facts and Figures
World Health Organization's Coronavirus Q&A. Have a favorite news source? We recommend that you check to see if it is on this list of websites publishing false coronavirus information.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has information on "alternative" treatments for coronavirus.
The Coronavirus Research Database allows you to search for scientific information on the virus. It is great for students who have been asked to research this virus or previous pandemics.
University of Toronto has a clear webpage on how to sort through information (and misinformation) about COVID-19.
For Teachers
In this link you will find numerous resources that include teaching techniques for online education and tutorials on commonly used technology.
Federal Mortgage Loan Relief
Please check the State Resources page if you have a mortgage in Michigan. If you have a federally-backed mortgage you can find information on different relief services here.
Working From Home
This link takes you to a series of videos on best practices for remote working. These videos will offer you tips and techniques for being productive while being home.
Mental Health
This is for anyone who stressed out in our "New Normal". Find 6 free courses here. They focus on being mindful (reduces stress, increases focus, and can help with general anxiety) and balancing your work and personal life.

Internet Resources
Find low cost internet services and computers using this site. There are a variety of check boxes. Everyone who lives in the 49464 zip code and has at least one K-12 student in the home would qualify for a special internet offer, if they don’t already have access. If that student also qualifies for free/reduced cost lunch, there are four internet offers and multiple offers for getting low cost devices too.
Podcasts about COVID-19
- Coronavirus Questions
- Social Distancing
- Where do viruses come from?
- How do germs spread?
- Hygiene and Germs
For parents and caregivers who are looking for COVID-19 resources to explain the pandemic to their children, Magination Press called on some of its experts to write two free, downloadable books for children, tweens, and teens on the topic.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is providing information and guidance – developing numerous resources to assist local school districts, educators, and families. Education information and resources can be found at this link.

Use of Cloth Face Covering to Help Slow the Spread of Covid-19. CDC's instructions on wearing and creating cloth face masks.
Check out these PDFs on proper ways to use masks. When to Use a Mask & A Guide to Mask Use.
Social Distancing
Tips for social distancing, isolation, and quarantine. The CDC outlines the best way to stay healthy and reduce the spread of the virus.
If you are looking to volunteer, start here! This is a web page allows you to sign up to volunteer for a variety of activities and donate money or materials. Material donations can be directed to the Michigan Community Service Commission at COVID19donations@michigan.gov or 517-335-4295.
Spectrum Health is looking for donations! Donate gear, money, blood, or plasma. Check this link to get a list of what is needed most and where to donate.
Harvest Stand Ministries in Zeeland has a food pantry that is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. You can also donate high need items if you have enough to spare. Learn more about the food pantry and how to donate here.
United Way Worldwide's COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund allows you to donate funds to the United Way Worldwide fund or look up your local United Way to donate.
Donate to Feeding America West Michigan's COVID-19 Response.
Volunteer funds or prepare family food boxes for Community Action House in Holland.
Coronavirus resources for employers and employees from the state of Michigan.
Learn if you are eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and how to file for assistance here.
This is a scary time for everyone, but especially scary for people who own small businesses. This link will give a list of courses on managing, marketing, self-care, and more. The courses are free through the month of June.
This link has resources on recovering from a layoff, staying positive in this job market, and tips on resumes and video interviews!
LinkedIn brings you the top 10 most in-demand jobs during COVID-19. They range from delivery drivers to accountants to healthcare specialists to construction workers. Click on the link to get the full list. Clicking on the job title will take you job listings on a national level.