The COVID313 Virtual Town Hall connected Detroiters to key conversations about the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as cultural and social issues including race relations, environmental justice and public health disparities. The town hall was live streamed every other Thursday, bi-weekly, at 12 p.m. on One Detroit’s Facebook, YouTube and website.

Watch Previous COVID 313 Town Halls:

COVID313 Town Halls:

4/07/22: COVID313 – Special Education, Mental Health, COVID-19 Case Update

The COVID313 Town Hall takes a look at the social, emotional, behavioral and educational impacts of COVID-19 on special education students. Then, the Detroit Health Department gives an update on COVID-19 case rates, new variants and vaccines. Plus, the town hall talks about the pandemic’s affect on workers’ mental health.

3/24/22: COVID313 – Child Tax Credits, Housing & Utilities

Detroit Public Schools Community District Assistant Superintendent Alycia Meriweather updates parents and families on the districts conversations around virtual versus in-person learning for its students. Dr. Eric McGrath, MD of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Wayne Pediatrics, Inc. shares more information about the COVID-19 Omicron variant that continues to spread rapidly, Plus, special guest U.S. Senator Gary Peters, who shares what he’s been working on in Washington D.C. in regards to the nation’s federal response to COVID-19.

3/10/22: COVID313 – Mask Mandates and COVID Protocols

On this COVID313 Town Hall, we discuss ending mask mandates, evolving COVID protocols and protecting immunocompromised children and those with special needs, plus talking with kids about world events. Guests include pediatrician Dr. Saini, Detroit Health Department, Detroit Public Schools and Michigan Charter Schools.

2/24/22: COVID313 – Youth-Led Town Hall on Mental Health

Conversation led by a panel of Detroit youth, sharing their mental health and wellness needs – plus presentations from community partners and mental health services organizations, sharing vital resources and how to access them. Also addressed is domestic abuse, dating violence, and ways to get help.

2/10/22: COVID313 – Black History Month, Mental Health Resources, Omicron Variant Update

This Week’s COVID313 Town Hall Features: February marks the beginning of Black History Month, the month when communities come together to celebrate...

Child sitting at kitchen table with laptopand headphones learning virtually

1/27/22: COVID313 – Virtual & In-Person Learning, Omicron Variant Updates

Mask Mandates Still in Effect at Detroit Public Schools Despite New CDC Guidelines

Detroit Public School Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti joined the latest COVID313 Town Hall to share the district’s updates on COVID-19 safety protocols, mask-wearing, vaccine mandates and more. He talks about how the district plans to continue to enforce mask mandates despite it being an option nearly everywhere else, when the district may likely make masks optional themselves, and what COVID-safety protocols may still be in place at the start of the next school year.

Empty classroom desks with mask hanging on a chair

DPSCD Superintendent Extends Virtual Learning in District Through January 24

DPSCD Superintendent Nikolai Vitti spoke at Thursday’s COVID313 virtual town hall about his decision to keep the schools closed for in-person instruction until January 24. He said it was based on a 7-day infection rate in the city of well over 30 percent. The district will base a return to in-person learning when that rate drops below 20 percent.

COVID313: Kids and the Vaccine

Have questions about kids and the COVID vaccine? Curious about post-COVID...

COVID313: Virus’ Impact on Schools

How has COVID affected children in schools? Planning on voting in the...

COVID313: Safety During Halloween and Voting

Ready for a safe Halloween? Or voting in the election this November? Join us...

COVID313 Talk: Clarifying Unemployment Benefits

Changes are continually being made to Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance as the pandemic continues. In June, the seeking work requirement was put...

About COVID313

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, Detroit was one of the cities hit the hardest by the public health and economic crisis. Schools closed, leaving parents looking for childcare or stuck at home overseeing their children’s virtual learning. Businesses were shuttered, and thousands of employees lost their jobs. Cases of the virus soared as hospitals became overwhelmed with very sick patients.

The early stages of the pandemic were desperate times. It was clear Detroit and metro residents urgently needed basic information on how to navigate and cope with the pandemic. More than 20 nonprofit and grassroots organizations, including Detroit Public Television, came together to form the COVID313 Community Coalition for Families and Students as a way to convey vital, potentially lifesaving news and information through a live, interactive format.

From interviews with public health officials, information on where to find food, testing and other pandemic-related resources, and opportunities to interact with key community stakeholders, the COVID313 Community Coalition brought updated community news to more than 400,000 people.

The Coalition’s mission to spark key conversations around cultural and social issues, including race relations, environmental justice and public health disparities, was live-streamed every other Thursday, bi-weekly, at 12 p.m. on One Detroit’s Facebook and website. All live streams are translated into American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish.

COVID313 Archives

Stay Connected:

Subscribe to One Detroit’s YouTube Channel to stay up to date with new COVID313 Virtual Town Hall stories, interviews and community updates.

Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter @DPTVOneDetroit, and Instagram @One.Detroit

Livestream the COVID313 Virtual Town Halls every other Thursday, bi-weekly at 12 p.m. ET on Facebook and YouTube.