COVID-19 and Variants - MDHHS Guidance (7/28 to 8/6/2021)

Dear Mrs. Miller,

Thank you for your interest in public records of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (hereinafter “Department”).
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

- Copies of any emails, data, statistics, scientific models, policy guidance, and/or public health guidance used for, or related to, public policy decisions about COVID-19 and/or any of its variants (including the Delta, Lambda, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Iota, Eta, Zeta, Kappa, and Epsilon variants) between 7/28/2021 and 8/6/2021. Please also include any attachments to those e-mails.

Please limit your search to only e-mails sent to or received by any of the following individuals:

- Gretchen Whitmer: WhitmerG1@michigan.gov
- Mark Totten: TottenM1@michigan.gov
- Dana Nessel: dananessel@gmail.com, miag@michigan.gov
- Elizabeth Hertel: HertelE@michigan.gov
- Tricia Foster: FosterT13@michigan.gov
- Joanna Huls: HulsJ1@michigan.gov

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

I am willing to pay up to $25 for the requested information. If the fee for this request exceeds this amount, please notify me in writing for permission prior to beginning work on the request.

I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Erin Marie Miller

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request has been assigned the following tracking number: H012523-080921. Your request has a legally received date of August 10, 2021. You will receive a response by the Department by August 17, 2021. Unfortunately, we are unable to expedite requests and the time permitted for response by the Department may be extended beyond August 17, 2021 by ten (10) business days.
In accordance with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq, the Department provides copies of existing non-exempt records. Records which are exempt from disclosure under state or federal law will not be provided, or records may be redacted to separate exempt information. The FOIA does not require the Department to create new records or answer queries.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the MDHHS Public Records Center and you will receive an email when your request has been completed.
Regards,
Bureau of Legal Affairs,
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

RE: Public Records Request, Reference # H012523-080921

Dear Mrs. Miller,

This notice is issued in response to your request, legally received by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (Department) on August 10, 2021, requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq.

Your request is granted as to existing nonexempt records.

The Department has estimated the cost for searching, retrieval, and review of the requested records and separation of exempt and nonexempt information. The search resulted in 359 items. The estimated cost of your FOIA request as well as the required deposit is stated in the invoice located in the MDHHS Public Records Center, where you may pay your invoice and deposit online. Upon payment of the deposit the Department will process your request. The required deposit must be received within 48 days from the date of this communication; otherwise, your request will be considered abandoned.

The Department’s best effort estimate for time to complete your request is thirty business days from the date the deposit is received. Once your FOIA request has been processed the Department will send you a final invoice, which may be more or less than the estimate. Payment must be received in full before records will be provided.

The Department’s FOIA policies and procedures are available at Policies and Procedures.

Sincerely,
Ruth O'Connor
Bureau of Legal Affairs