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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope are all safe and well as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic on the first day of the extended Safer at Home order.  Even though the order was extended, I want to point out a few changes from the previous order that may be of interest to you. These changes include that public libraries may now provide curbside pickup of books and other library materials, golf courses may open again, with some restrictions, and many non-essential businesses can do more, including deliveries, mailings, and curbside pickup. 

Please keep in mind that these changes are dependent upon Wisconsin continuing to make progress by flattening the curve which will allow us to reach the benchmarks outlined in the Governor's plan to open up Wisconsin. This plan is called the Badger Bounce Back, and you can read more about it in this update.  Additionally, you can find news on Unemployment benefits, how the National Guard is assisting the Department of Health Services with testing capabilities, and more. 

If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.


Sincerely,
Lisa Subeck
State Representative
78th Assembly District


In This Weeks Update:

Badger Bounce Back


Unemployment Update


Wisconsin National Guard  Continues to Assist DHS


COVID-19 Shopping Tips


 


TRUSTED COVID-19 LINKS


Contact Me:

109 North, State Capitol

P.O. Box 8953

Madison, WI 53708

Phone: (608) 266-7521

Toll-Free: (888) 534-0078

Fax: (608) 282-3690

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Badger Bounce Back

On Monday, Governor Evers announced his plan for reopening Wisconsin in three phases based on specific criteria. This plan, called Badger Bounce Back, does not replace the Safer at Home extension, instead, it provides a blueprint for the standards our state needs to meet in order to safely reopen.

The criteria in the plan include:

  • Expanded contact tracing in order to monitor contacts of infected people and notify them of their exposure
  • Access to more testing and labs
  • Access to more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and supplies
  • Increased hospital capacity
  • Reduction in the number of cases.

As our state begins to hit these benchmarks, the Safer at Home order will be dialed back. You can read the full plan HERE, or a brief fact sheet HERE.

I will do my best to make sure Wisconsin is doing everything possible to meet the criteria for safely reopening as soon as we can. These phases and the metrics for reopening are modeled, in part, after guidelines announced by President Trump last week, which show Wisconsin is not yet ready to move beyond Safer at Home. You can read President Trump's guidance to states HERE.

The news of the extended Safer at Home order which went into effect today has been difficult for many individuals, families, and small businesses who are anxious to get back to work to be able to put food on the table and pay their bills.  The economic uncertainty the surrounds this pandemic is overwhelming to save the least. COVID-19 has completely altered our way of life and it will take our economy years to recover.

As difficult as it is, we must understand that our economic recovery is tied directly to our ability to manage and contain the virus. We have the benefit of learning from the countries that were impacted earlier and the best practices applied to protect public health and restore the economy. 

Wisconsin's ability to maintain a manageable level of cases and prevent rapid spread of the virus is a sign that the actions our state is taking are working. We are seeing progress. The sacrifices we continue to make to stay home and practice physical distancing will help us defeat this virus faster. I understand that this is a big request especially as we try to navigate our lives with so many unknowns.

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Unemployment Update

Federal Unemployment Programs

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is now accepting applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). PUA is meant to provide unemployment benefits to many of those who are not eligible for regular Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance (UI). Interested parties can apply here.

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program payments (an additional $600 to those receiving regular WI unemployment compensation, PUA, extended benefits, Workshare, and those receiving Trade Adjustment Allowances) will begin to be reflected in weekly claim payments next week.

Many questions about the new federal unemployment programs can be answered by going to DWD's website. Additionally, each of the new programs is detailed there, and updates will be added as the programs are rolled out.

Waiting Week Payments

2019 Wisconsin Act 185 suspended the Waiting Week and made the change retroactive. This week the Department has been paying out 154,332 weeks of benefits to claimants who established an initial claim during or after the week of March 15.

Call Volume/Resource Allocation

DWD continues to receive an unprecedented number of calls, and received 5.8 million calls last week alone. Approximately 99% of UI claims are completed online, but for those without a computer or those who need to speak directly to an agent, additional staff and technological capacity continue to be added to the call center to accommodate the dramatic spike in call volume.

DWD has:

  • Reassigned 106 state employees to the Unemployment Insurance Division (79 from within DWD)
  • Currently recruiting 196 additional staff
  • Currently seeking additional state staff for a six-month reassignment to UI

DWD is:

  • In the process of bringing online an additional, general UI call center with 600 employees
  • Creating a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance-specific call center

In addition to increasing call center capacity, DWD continue to make program adjustments aimed at reducing the need to call in.

Wisconsin Work-Share Program a Good Option for Employers and Employees

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 across a work unit. Workers whose hours are reduced under an approved Work-Share plan receive unemployment benefits that are pro-rated for the partial work reduction. 2019 Act 185 offered additional flexibility for employers. Updated information on Work-Share can be found here.

Need Help?

If you or someone you know is having difficulty with a UI claim, my office would be happy to help assist.  Please email your name, phone number, address, the status of your application including the date you first applied, and the reason you need assistance such as you cannot get through the phone lines or you are having difficulty with the application to rep.subeck@legis.wi.gov

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Wisconsin National Guard Continues to Assist DHS

Last weekend, approximately 225 additional Citizen Soldiers and Airmen mobilized to establish additional specimen collection teams in support of Wisconsin’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the request of the Wisconsin Department of Healt Services. These teams will establish additional specimen collection capabilities and COVID-19 mobile testing site capacities at yet-to-be determined sites around the state.
 
The Wisconsin National Guard’s specimen collection teams will serve in a support role to Wisconsin DHS and local health departments, and the personnel from the Guard will staff the mobile testing sites and conduct the specimen collections. The Guard currently has three specimen collection teams already established that began training as part of the initial complement of Wisconsin National Guard troops mobilized in the wake of the public health emergency Gov. Tony Evers declared March 12 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Those three teams have already been active in establishing mobile testing sites upon request.

After bringing on more Citizen Soldiers and Airmen to staff the additional mobile testing sites, a total of more than 700 Wisconsin National Guard troops are currently mobilized for the Guard’s various missions to support the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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COVID-19 Shopping Tips

When you head to the store next, keep in mind that there are several steps you can take to limit your exposure to COVID-19. The Department of Health Services (DHS) recommends that you: 

  • Watch what you touch 
    • Disinfect cart and basket handles 
    • Wash food containers, produce, etc. when you get home
  • Practice personal hygiene 
    • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds 
    • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze 
    • Wear a face covering 
  • Keep 6 feet away from other people 

Remember, when you do these things you are being considerate of others and playing your role in slowing down the spread of this virus.

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TRUSTED COVID-19 RESOURCES

Department of Health Services COVID-19 Site

CDC COVID-19 Information

Governor Evers's COVID-19 Information Hub

US Department of State Travel Advisories

Dept. of Workforce Development COVID-19 FAQs

World Health Organization Corona Virus Info

Childcare Resources for Essential Workers

WHA COVID-19 Situational Awareness Update

 

Public Health Dane County & City of Madison

County & Tribal Health Officials

 

|  | Rep Subeck's Website 

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