Ford Motor Co. has purchased a dozen ultra-cold freezers to store a COVID-19 vaccine that, once available, will be distributed to employees on a voluntary basis.
A Ford spokeswoman says the freezer purchase is the first step in a broader vaccine distribution plan. General Motors hasn't bought any freezers for vaccine storage but said it's taking steps to make a vaccine available to its employees.
“Earlier this year, we instituted a number of health and safety protocols designed to keep our workforce safe in the workplace,” says Kellie Felker, Ford spokeswoman. “They include a daily health survey, daily temperature scans, required use of masks at all times in all of our facilities and if their jobs do not allow them to socially distance, we require our workforce to wear safety glasses with side shields or a face shield.”
At least three major drug companies have reported late-stage data for a potential COVID-19 vaccine as the world waits for scientific breakthroughs that will end a pandemic that has pummeled the world economy and led to 1.4 million deaths.
On Tuesday, the state of Michigan added 6,290 confirmed COVID-19 cases, along with 145 deaths. Since the pandemic emerged in Michigan, the state has recorded 320,506 confirmed cases, with 8,688 deaths.
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