March 13, 2020

Working for you!

Coronavirus COVID-19

This morning I submitted the following Op/Ed to the Post-Crescent:

Taking COVID-19 Seriously

Opinion Editorial by State Representative Dave Murphy

The risk of contracting coronavirus COVID-19 in Wisconsin is low. That being said, the State of Wisconsin, local officials, and individuals are stepping up to ensure the spread of the virus progresses as slowly as possible.

As a State Representative, a member of the Assembly Committee on Health, and chair of the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, I’ve had the privilege of receiving timely COVID-19 updates from the White House and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. On White House phone call, over 5000 local public officials heard from many federal agencies working in conjunction, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

My wife Lynn and I are currently hosting an exchange student from Italy and have been closely watching the fallout of Italy’s late reaction to this virus. U.S. federal officials estimate that we may have already delayed the spread by 25 days simply by implementing early travel restrictions. Critical steps to slow the spread of the virus will enable our health care providers to serve patients best and prevent overburdening the health care system. Colleges and universities are extending spring break and moving to remote instruction in order to prevent returning students from quickly spreading the virus across Wisconsin after traveling home during break. Events across Wisconsin larger than 250 people are being cancelled or postponed.

As always, the best solutions come from individual action. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Refrain from touching your face. Practice “social distancing” by keeping at least six feet from other individuals and avoiding large gatherings of people.

While there have certainly been overreactions to and misinformation about COVID-19 across the 24 hour news channels and social media, this does not mean that we shouldn’t each take meaningful individual responsibility for the health and wellbeing of ourselves, our families, and our greater communities. I have always been a steadfast defender of life. Each and every life is precious. If staying home while you are sick saves just one life, it’s worth it.

As the world addresses this pandemic, there will be economic implications. Under President Trump’s “All-America” response to the coronavirus, Wisconsin small businesses may become eligible for low interest loans, which you can learn more about at sba.gov/disaster

Don’t panic, don’t get sucked in by the doom and gloom, but do your part. In addition to staying home if you’re sick, consider donating blood. While many individuals who regularly donate blood decide to self-isolate, there will continue to be a need for the same amount of blood availability, so if you are able to donate during this time, please do. Let’s show the world how we Americans can take individual responsibility to slow the spread of a virus.

The best source of information about COVID-19 is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at coronavirus.gov.

I've had the opportunity to participate in multiple briefings on our COVID-19 response with the White House, Wisconsin university leaders, school district administrators, and local officials.

Voter Fraud Evidence Sent to District Attorneys

This week, the Wisconsin Elections Commission referred 43 cases of potential voter fraud to district attorneys in 19 counties. The suspected fraud is related to individuals who may have voted in both Wisconsin and another state in the same election cycle. If found guilty, individuals would be subject to up to 3 and a half years in prison and an up to $10,000 fine.

This type of voter fraud is the reason why the state is required to update voter rolls to remove individuals who move out of state and register to vote in another state, which has recently been challenged in court.

Research in the Rotunda

On Wednesday, UW System undergraduate students presented research project findings at the State Capitol. Local UW–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus student Cesar Campos-Martinez discussed his work with me, titled “Design and Fabrication of an Electric Basic Utility Vehicle.” As always, I was impressed by the level of research conducted by students across our state.

Consider Voting Absentee

If you are in a high-risk group or have concerns about the Coronavirus, it is important to make sure your vote will count on April 7th. In Wisconsin, you have the option to Absentee Vote. To request your absentee ballot, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee

Crafting Achievement

Pictured left to right: Van Handel Heating & Cooling owner Nick Van Handel, Rep. Murphy, apprentice Matt Danish, and Sen. Roth.

On Monday, I joined Senator Roth in presenting a legislative citation to Van Handel Heating and Cooling apprentice Matt Danish of Greenville for representing Wisconsin at the National Craft Championship in Nashville later this month. Matt is enrolled in the apprenticeship program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College through which he has gained a great deal of knowledge regarding HVAC systems.

Consider Donating Blood

Learn more about where and when you can save a life by donating blood in the community by visiting https://www.save3lives.org/

"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.