COVID-19 Update - Thursday, March 19th

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 sending a daily COVID-19 update and will post online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Today's update includes more information than we expected, so we decided to go ahead and send via email as well.

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.

COVID-19 Update 3_19.png Information from our March 18th e-update can be found here.

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

CURRENT CASES

Statewide:

155 confirmed cases

2192 negative test results

14th District Counties:

Milwaukee - 62 confirmed cases
Waukesha - 12 confirmed cases

DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE

While it is important to stay informed with the latest news regarding COVID-19, it can also cause a lot of fear, stress, and anxiety. If you need to talk, support is available: call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

STATE AGENCY UPDATES:

Department of Children & Families

Governor Evers and DCF issued an emergency order that went into effect today, March 19th, that limits child care facilities to a maximum of 10 staff and 50 children per facility.

It is important that if people are able to, please keep your kids at home. Child care services are critical for health care workers and other essential service workers during this time.

Because DCF is scaling down child care facilities, they are implementing a new "Find Care" portal on their website - we will share this information when it becomes available.

THANK YOU to all child care providers - your work is so important!

For more information related to child care or child welfare, visit the DCF website here.

Teachers - if you are available to help with child care, sign up here.

Department of Workforce Development

As we shared yesterday, there have been updates regarding Unemployment Insurance in Wisconsin.

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.

People are eligible for benefits if they have been laid off through no fault of their own. However, applications are considered on an individual basis — if you think you are eligible, you are encouraged to apply.

If you plan to apply for Unemployment Insurance, it is recommended you apply online to keep call volume low. If you have questions, refer to the DWD website or call their UI staff.

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

Advice for employers from DWD and WMC:

If possible, do all you can to keep folks on payroll

Have employees do work from home if possible or in a non-public facing manner
Offer vacation or paid leave if able to
Utilize Work Share (short term compensation)- information on DWD website here

Uniformly reduce hours- a prorated share of pay & makes employees eligible for some unemployment benefits while still receiving work benefits

Other information related to employment and training, job centers, equal rights, and workers compensation can be found on the DWD website here.

Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation announced on March 18th that in-person services at DMVs will be changing starting on March 23rd.

All DMV Customer Service Centers will be closed to the public on Friday, March 20. DMVs will use this time to deep clean each location and modify office space to allow additional social distancing practices when the service centers reopen on Monday, March 23.

Wisconsin DMV delivers vital services to Wisconsin residents. However, some functions are within DMV’s control and others remain state law. To continue to meet legal requirements, while protecting the public and staff, the following changes will be implemented temporarily:

Driver licenses and CDLs that expire during this public health emergency will be automatically extended 60 days. Late fees will be waived. The driver record, visible to law enforcement, will show the extension and that the driver license is valid.
All driver skills tests are being cancelled as of March 18 until further notice.

Social distancing remains a best practice to combat the spread of the virus and efforts. When Wisconsin DMVs reopen Monday, March 23, in-person customer service will be restricted, by appointment only, to:

New driver licenses
Issuing identification cards

For more information, read their media release here.

Most DMV services can be done online. Visit the Wisconsin DOT website here.

Department of Corrections

Measures that the Department of Corrections has taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in its facilities include suspending work release, in-person visitation (utilizing phone and video conferencing for professional visits), medical co-pays, and group programming. Facilities have enhanced site cleaning as well as infection monitoring and staff education related to COVID-19.

Information related to COVID-19 from the Department of Corrections can be found on their website here.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Resources and information for business owners related to COVID-19 can be found on the WEDC website here.

DONATE BLOOD

Right now, the Red Cross is experiencing blood drive cancellations like no other time in recent history and their inventory is at critical levels. Their sites are taking extra precautions to make sure giving blood is safe.

If you are healthy, please consider giving blood by calling 1-800-RedCross or going to redcrossblood.org to find a blood donation location nearest you that is currently open by simply putting in your zip code.

VOLUNTEER WISCONSIN

To connect potential volunteers and organizations addressing these pressing concerns, the United Way of Wisconsin, Serve Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Volunteer Coordinators Association created the COVID-19 Response Initiative on the Volunteer Wisconsin website.

If you are looking for ways you can help your community during these challenging times, visit their website here.

ONE 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.

DHS Coronavirus Update 3-19-2020.png For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website here.

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Forward together,