April 28, 2020

Working for you!

Special Public Health Emergency Update

A Science Based Plan to Reopen

A plan to get Wisconsin back to business developed by business, government and the medical community experts was released on Friday. The plan uses Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines as a foundation for creating a targeted, metrics based approach to reopening Wisconsin safely. I encourage you to read the plan and how it would work.

Instead of closing our doors until a cure is found, we must work together to adapt and reopen as safely as possible. While waiting out COVID-19 sounds appealing, it is impractical and will result in millions of Americans losing their jobs, their healthcare, and their ability to put food on the table. Adaptation is a necessity. Even the governor now recognizes that many non-essential businesses can operate safely, by allowing them to reopen this week under new guidelines. It’s unfortunate so many small businesses and employees had to suffer while being forced to close unnecessarily.

As a state leader, I know we must listen to the experts and adapt for a safe future. I’m urging the governor to consider this new plan that utilizes science and statistics to determine actual risk and appropriate preventative measures. It’s critical for any good plan to allow for businesses to open when safe, but to implement additional safety measures or even close when specific metrics are hit. This is a plan rooted in data instead of government officials making politically popular decisions.

A data-based plan is the only way we will survive this pandemic, and I’m calling on the governor to implement this critical science-based approach.

Scientific Study: No Link Between Election and Infection Rates

In the first scientific study published about concerns over the Wisconsin April Election and COVID-19 infection rates, experts from the Medical College of Wisconsin and two other U.S. institutions found that “there was no increase in COVID-19 new case daily rates observed for Wisconsin or its 3 largest counties following the election on April 7, 2020, as compared to the US, during the post-incubation interval period.”

You can read the full study online here.

The Brown County Public Health Heath Department also noted yesterday that they have not seen any outbreaks linked to in-person voting during the April 7 election.

State Parks Reopening

On May 1, the DNR will be reopening some previously closed state parks, forests, boat launches, and trails with new restrictions to promote public health and prevent overcrowding. Details about new hours of operation, admission requirements, and locations can be found online by visiting dnr.wi.gov/covid-19

A Tool to Avoid Layoffs

Work-Share is a state program that avoids layoffs, allowing workers to remain employed & employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity.

The Work-Share Program (also called Short-Term Compensation or STC), is designed to help both employers and employees.

Instead of laying off workers, a qualified employer can plan to reduce work hours for at least two employees.

Workers whose hours are reduced under an approved Work‐Share plan receive unemployment benefits that are pro‐rated for the partial work reduction.

To learn more about Work-Share and see if you are eligible, visit: DWD.wisconsin.gov/uitax/workshare.htm

Today In the Fox Valley

The Wisconsin Hospital Association maintains a dashboard where the public can view the data being used by the state to make public health decisions.

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/

Small Businesses

• Grants of up to $20,000 to targeted small businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and to meet payroll expenses, including paid leave.

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.