It's crazy to think that March marks one year since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and Wednesday, March 10 officially marks the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case in Michigan.

In honor of this, Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist are asking all Michiganders to turn their lights on to honor those who have lost their lives to this virus over the last year. Residents are asked to turn their porch or outdoor lights on, on Wednesday, from 8p to 9p to show solidarity. In a statement from our Governor,

As we mark this occasion, we also look towards the light at the end of the tunnel. We have three safe, effective vaccines, all miracles of science, that will help protect you, your family, and others from COVID and help us get our country and the economy back to normal.

Lt. Governor Gilchrist added that turning your porch lights on is a simple way to honor those who have passed and show that we're in this together.

Here's a link to the flyer so you can share it with your family, friends, and neighbors.

According to the latest data from the State of Michigan, about 600,000 Michiganders have had coronavirus and almost 16,000 have died from it.

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It's been a really long year navigating this pandemic but there are signs of hope in Michigan. Vaccines were only being offered to front line, health care workers, and people 65+ to start, but now people 50 and older (with a pre-existing condition) can get the shot. Then starting March 22nd, everyone who's at least 50-years-old will be able to get vaccinated.

In addition to that, the CDC just announced that people who have gotten vaccinated can gather with other vaccinated people without a mask and without social distancing.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but we're not quite there yet. Just remember to continue to do your part. We've already made it this far.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

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