CADILLAC â âHe was at deathâs door anyway.â
Amongst COVID-19 skeptics, hearing that COVID-19 killed an old and sick person doesnât always change their minds about how seriously they want to take the virus.
Those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 were probably going to die soon anyway, the rationale goes.
But that rationale is not supported by the numbers.
More people really did die in 2020 than died in previous years. People have been dying during the year-long pandemic that might have lived out the year if they hadnât contracted the virus.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed to the Cadillac News that Michigan saw deaths increase in 2020 and provided statistics as evidence.
CADILLAC â Last week, the Wexford County Clerk s Office closed due to a positive case of COVID-19 in one of its staff members. Monday other offices were closed for the same reason.
In all, the clerk s office, the prosecutor, the register of deeds, equalization offices were closed on Monday. Wexford County Administrator Janet Koch also tested positive for COVID-19, but her office remains open.
With the increase in cases and closures within the courthouse, Wexford County Board of Commissioners chairman Gary Taylor said the executive committee was going to add an item to the agenda to close the courthouse for the rest of the week and until, at the very least, March 15.
CADILLAC â The twice adjourned prelim examination was finally waived Tuesday by the 57-year-old Buckley man charged with murder last summer.
With the prelim examination waived, Alex Keith Melser will have his case bound over to 28th Circuit Court, but his arraignment in the higher court had not been scheduled as of Tuesday. Wexford County Clerk Alaina Nyman said it likely won t be scheduled until the week of Jan. 18.
Mesler was charged in June with one count of first-degree murder for his connection with an incident on June 29 in Buckley. A habitual offender fourth offense notice also was added to the charge. If convicted, Mesler faces a potential life sentence with no chance of parole.