House Democrats released proposed
legislation that included a $1.5 billion
allocation to help cover water bills for low-
income families and also would ban utility
shutoffs during the pandemic.
Michigan U.S. Congress members Rashida Tlaib,
Debbie Dingell and Dan Kildee also sent a letter
to the congressional leadership, signed by 80
members, urging them to take action, citing
Detroit’s water shutoffs and the longstanding
water crisis in nearby Flint, where lead leached
into the municipal water supply. The allocation
was not part of the approved $2.2 trillion rescue
package, so Tlaib is pushing for another bill to
address shutoffs.
A White House official said that Wayne County,
which includes Detroit, could be the next
hotspot for COVID-19.
The coronavirus has sickened more than 566,000
people and killed more than 25,000 people
worldwide. For most people, it causes mild or
moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough
that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some,
especially older adults and people with existing
health problems, it can cause more severe
illness, including pneumonia.Graphic: Phil Holm & Angel Kastanis
The Census Bureau defines “complete plumbing and kitchen facilities”
as located within the housing unit and used only by occupants. Some
remote areas and areas of high housing demand may have unique
facility set ups to accomodate residents.