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COVID-19 Update

Dear Neighbor,

This week, we are doing a mid-week update on COVID-19. We hope this is helpful to you and your families. The information has been changing rapidly, and we will be sending another e-update on Friday with any new developments. 

Furthermore, in order to support your families being able to take a deep breath, turn away from constant news updates, and create a new temporary normal, my office will be posting a daily update online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It is my hope that one reliable update each day will allow you to take a deep breath, oversee all that is happening in your own life and home, and have a reliable source of news you can count on to be up to date and accurate.

My greatest concerns right now are your lives and livelihoods. We are working hard to keep you and your loved ones safe, and to fight for our small businesses in an unprecedented crisis. 

In solidarity,

Rep. Robyn Vining 


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My office is operating remotely, and you may continue to contact my office by phone or email.

CURRENT CASES

Statewide:

106 confirmed cases
1577 negative test results

14th District Counties:

Milwaukee - 47 confirmed cases
Waukesha - 5 confirmed cases 

SCHOOLS
Governor Evers and the Department of Health Services announced public and private schools will be closed for the duration of the public health emergency (until further notice- past the original April 6th closure date). This does not mean that schools will be closed the rest of the school year: as of March 18th, that has yet to be determined. 

10 PERSON GATHERING LIMIT

Governor Evers and DHS Secretary-designee Palm issued an agency order prohibiting mass gatherings of 10 people or more to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The order makes exceptions for transportation, educational institutions, child care, hotels, military, law enforcement, food pantries, hospitals, long-term care facilities, restaurants and bars can only offer take-out or delivery, grocery stores and convenience stores, utility facilities, job centers, and courts. See full order and list of exemptions here

Social distancing will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and reduce unnecessary risk for our vulnerable populations, and to reduce community spread.

COMMUNITY SPREAD

There is now community spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin. This means that there are people who have tested positive who have had no exposure to a known case nor did they travel to a location where there is known community spread. As of Tuesday, cases in Milwaukee, Dane and Kenosha counties indicate that there is community spread happening in Wisconsin.

FLATTEN THE CURVE
It is important to help “flatten the curve,” which means to slow the spread of the virus and thus reduce some of the risk for vulnerable populations, as well as to help ensure our hospitals are not overwhelmed.

Continue to follow DHS’ recommendations:
- Frequent and thorough hand-washing with soap and water
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Avoiding touching your face
- Staying home if you can, especially when sick
- Social distancing & avoid gatherings of 10 or more

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Governor Evers and the Department of Workforce Development announced an emergency order to waive work search requirements and modify the availability requirements for unemployment insurance benefits for workers affected by COVID-19.

Governor Evers also called on the Wisconsin Legislature to take legislative action to repeal the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits.

Governor Evers and leaders in the legislature are meeting today to discuss a potential legislative package related to COVID-19.

Here is more information about unemployment benefits related to COVID-19 from the Department of Workforce Development. 

SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) will be providing disaster assistance loans to businesses who suffer substantial economic injury due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. In order for a state to qualify for loans, its Governor must submit an application directly to SBA documenting statewide examples of businesses negatively impacted by the outbreak. Governor Evers submitted the request to SBA today to be able to qualify for these loans. 

Once Wisconsin is approved, the next step is for small businesses to fill out loan applications. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is setting up an online application portal and we will update the public with that link as soon as it becomes available.

Any questions about this process can be directed to WEDC here 

For more information about the SBA disaster assistance, visit the SBA website

Additionally, WEDC is creating a $5 million grant program for targeted small businesses. "Small Business 20/20" will provide up to $20,000 to targeted businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and payroll. "Small Business 20/20" will be offered through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Full WEDC announcement here

More information about the SB 20/20 program to aid small businesses through CDFIs can be found here. Note: applications will be processed through the CDFIs and not WEDC. 

MEDICAID/BADGERCARE

ForwardHealth, which runs Wisconsin's state health care programs, is actively reviewing policies and flexibilities to best support care in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid will have no copays for services until June 30, 2020. 

For further updates about ForwardHealth services and contact information, visit their COVID-19 web page here

FREE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS FOR STUDENTS

Spectrum will offer free broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 844-488-8395.

Installation fees will be waived for new student households.  

Spectrum will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely.

AT&T home internet customers will be allowed to use unlimited data. In addition, AT&T will not terminate the service of any broadband residential or small business customer, will waive any late fees, and will keep public hot-spots open for anyone who may need to use them.

SPRING ELECTION INFORMATION

Wisconsin's Spring Election and Presidential Primary is still scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 7. There have been a number of questions raised in Wisconsin and states around the country about how the COVID-19 virus could disrupt the voting process. In order to best avoid any election day voting issues or delays that could result from efforts to manage the number of people in a space at one time, you are encouraged to have an absentee ballot mailed to your home.

You can request an absentee ballot HERE by April 2nd if you are already registered to vote. If you're not already registered to vote, the deadline to register online is TODAY- Wednesday, March 18. 

Absentee Voting Graphic April 7.pngONE WISCONSIN
On a personal note, I want to assure you we are doing everything we can with the information and power that we have while working through an unprecedented pandemic that has facts and advice changing seemingly constantly. I will continue monitoring this crisis, and I will not forget my call to service to the people of the 14th district. Part of my job is disseminating information, and we will keep you posted as news happens. And, we will also work to generate ideas for how to best respond. I understand this is both a challenging time, and for many-- a scary time. Please check on your neighbors, reach out to the elderly, if you need help and receive an offer for help, take confidence in accepting that help. Together, as one Wisconsin, we will walk through this moment, and may we remember one another, reach out, ask for help, offer help, and be the community to one another we were made to be. Now is the time to draw together as one Wisconsin.

My office is here. Please reach out with any questions. We will be at work. And once again, the safety and security of my constituents is my number one priority. Please rest at night knowing that.

Forward together,

Rep. Robyn Vining

For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website here 

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 Forward together,

Rep. Robyn Vining

 

Contact Us: 

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708 

PH: (608) 266-9180
TF: (888) 534-0014

Email: Rep.Vining@legis.wi.gov 
Web: www.vining.assembly.wi.gov 


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