STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) — The city of Sterling Heights is stepping up efforts to guard against coronavirus ahead of Election Day next week.
For Sterling Heights City Clerk Melanie Ryska, Election Day is about more than just being prepared to make every vote count. With fears growing nationally about the spread of coronavirus, the city is adding extra layers of protection to prevent illness fro being passed on.
"We do have hand sanitizers," Ryska said. "We also gave individual sanitizers to all of our poll workers. We have a couple hundred alcohol wipes that can be used to wipe down all the equipment."
The initiative is also being put into place at city hall and other government offices, along with outside polling locations like the Macedonian Cultural Center.
The city clerk is also encouraging more citizens to vote absentee.
"If we prevent and take measures, we can keep it from coming to Michigan and Sterling Heights. So, proper hygiene and precautions."
Voters are being urged to continue to do their part, as well.
"Wash your hands," Assistant Sterling Heights Fire Chief Edwin Miller said. "Don't touch your face with dirty hands. Try to limit exposure with people coughing or sneezing. It's easy to try to take those precautions."
