May 19, 2020

Working for you!

Special Public Health Emergency Update
Transitioning from Orders to Guidance

Wisconsin is currently transitioning from mandates to stay at home to guidance about how to stay safe at home, at work, and when you need to go out. While individuals no longer face criminal penalties for leaving their home, there’s still a lot you can do to ensure the health and wellbeing of your friends and family. To learn more about what the state is doing to promote public health visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/help.htm

Below is important information about how businesses can keep their employees and customers safe. Don’t forget, customers who feel safe will be the ones that return.

Guidance for Reopening Safely

With input from national and state health and industry experts and in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and our regional economic development partners, WEDC has compiled a series of industry-specific documents to help you get back to business while taking the necessary precautions to maximize safety. Following these guidelines will help us all get Wisconsin’s economy back on track.

Explore the guidelines by clicking on the image above to visit https://wedc.org/reopen-guidelines/

Grants for Small Businesses

This week WEDC announced a new initiative that combines $75 million in federal CARES Act funding with specific Wisconsin programs aimed at helping small business respond to and recover from the effects of the COVID-19 health emergency. The We’re All In initiative includes $2,500 cash grants to assist with the cost of business interruption or for health and safety improvements, wages and salaries, rent, mortgages and inventory.

• Grants in the amount of $2,500 will be available for small businesses with 20 or fewer FTEs impacted by COVID-19 that have not already received WEDC COVID-19 assistance.
• Up to 30,000 businesses may receive grants.
• The application period for these grants will open in June.

Expanded Assistance for Unemployment Insurance

Facing unprecedented numbers of individuals filing for unemployment insurance, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce development is expanding its number of employees fielding such calls from 46 to over 1300. From March 15 to May 9, DWD received more than 518,000 unemployment applications and more than 1.8 million weekly claims.

In response to a recommendation by my colleague and Joint Committee on Finance Co-Chair John Nygren, DWD will also be contracting with two call centers to assist with applications and an additional vendor to assist with appeals.

If you are struggling to get ahold of DWD, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office for assistance. Please be sure to include your full name, home address, phone number, email address and the date that you initially filed for unemployment insurance. 

Experts Request End to Shutdowns

This week, members of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons are sending a letter to President Trump asking him to oppose additional economic shutdowns.

I’ve heard from many of you about the need to listen to the experts. Well, the experts have spoken.

While COVID-19 presents a known danger, and precautions must be taken by individuals and businesses to minimize health risks, the actions taken should not do more harm than good. Medical experts are taking a firm data-based position that the national shutdown is causing more harm than good. You can read their letter to the president below:

Be Mindful of Emergency Responder's Time

I’ve recently seen too many reports of police being called to break up baseball games and shut down small businesses. I implore you to please use your common sense.

Don’t call the police unless there’s a genuine emergency. Consider how you would want to be treated by your friends and neighbors and please offer folks the benefit of the doubt. It is impossible for you to know what people are coping with when they leave their homes.

Right now is not the time to be monopolizing emergency responders’ time. Don’t be the reason someone else doesn’t get the support they need in a timely fashion, especially as we’ve recently seen an uptick in domestic violence, spikes in drug overdoses, and an increase in suicide attempts.

Free COVID-19 Testing Site at Fox Valley Tech

Testing Site Hours of Operation

Wednesday, May 13 to Friday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

Location

Fox Valley Technical College
1825 North Bluemound Drive
Appleton, WI 54913

Enter the FVTC campus using the north entrance off Bluemound Drive

Who May Be Tested

If you live or work in Wisconsin and are experiencing any one of the following COVID-19 symptoms, you qualify for free testing:

Fever (>100.4); cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Headache
Chills or rigors (repetitive shaking chills)
Muscle aches
New abnormalities in taste or smell

Patient Information Forms

Those intending to be tested are encouraged to print, complete and bring this form with them to the testing site. Forms will also be available at the site.

Patient Information Form - English

Patient Information Form - Spanish

General Information

No appointment is needed for the testing

Testing is free

Daily testing capacity will be 300 tests

Members of the Wisconsin National Guard will conduct the testing

Testing is available for those ages 5 and older but minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can consent to the testing

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: Fever (>100.4); cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; sore throat; headache; chills or rigors (repetitive shaking chills); muscle aches; new abnormalities in taste or smell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions - Spanish

COVID-19 Guidance and Assistance

Help is available if you are in need. You can’t control whether you lose your job or your benefits because of the Coronavirus. However, you can take steps to protect yourself in case you wind up without health insurance during the pandemic. If you have lost coverage (or fear that you might), you have options! Call 920-882-6420 or dial United Way’s 2-1-1 for free help.

Below are additional resources:

Unemployment and Job Opportunities

• Unemployment insurance claims should be made online if possible, and requirements have been relaxed. Many employers are currently hiring in order to fill gaps in delivery and retail services. Learn more by visiting https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/covid19/public/

Financial Resources

• If you are experiencing financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, assistance may be available.

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.