Past email updates: March 18th, March 19th, March 20th, March 23rd
CURRENT CASES
Statewide:
457 confirmed cases
8237 negative test results
5 devastating deaths
14th District Counties:
Milwaukee - 219 confirmed cases
Waukesha - 31 confirmed cases
Department of Health Services
Governor Evers and the Department of Health Services issued a "Safer at Home" order today. The order goes into effect tomorrow morning, Wednesday, March 25th at 8am and remains in effect until Friday, April 24th at 8am.
The order states (& includes exceptions):
1. To stay at home or in your place of residence
2. Non-essential business will pause until 8am on April 24th
3. Public & private gatherings of any size are prohibited outside of household members
4. Public & private schools, places of public amusement or activity, & salons & spas remain closed for duration of order
5. All forms of travel prohibited except essential travel
6. Follow DHS & CDC guidelines
7. Elderly people and those who are vulnerable as a result of underlying health conditions should take additional precautions
All persons may leave their homes or residences for the following functions (including but not limited to, for full list click HERE):
- Essential Activities
Going to the doctor, going grocery shopping, picking up medication from the pharmacy, outdoor activities, taking care of family members
Of note: please see the section about recreation and what is allowed (walking, biking, hiking, running) and not allowed (basketball, ultimate frisbee, soccer, football) under this order, and PLAYGROUNDS ARE CLOSED.
- Essential Governmental Functions
State, local, federal governments, first responders, firefighters, police officers, child welfare workers, military, etc.
- To operate Essential Businesses and Operations
Grocery stores, pharmacies, food production & transportation, agriculture, restaurants & bars (carry-out & delivery ONLY), child care facilities, gas stations, media, hardware stores, critical trades, postal & mail services, transportation, etc.
After reviewing the order, if a business still has a question or is not exempted but believes their business is doing essential work, WEDC will be reviewing those cases. Click HERE for more information or if you have an essential business designation inquiry.
- To perform non-essential Minimum Basic Operations
While practicing social distancing, minimum operations to maintain inventory, payroll, ensure security, etc.
- Essential Travel
Travel related to essential business, government operations, special situations, etc.
Travel to care for others, travel associated with educational institutions for distance learning or receiving meals, travel to a place of residence from outside jurisdiction or for non-residents to return to their residence outside of Wisconsin, etc.
- Special Situations
Healthcare & public health operations, human service operations, essential infrastructure
Read the full order HERE.
DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm said in a media briefing today that if this order is not followed, Wisconsin could experience a drastic rise in COVID-19 illnesses and deaths: by April 8th (2 weeks), there could be 22,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and between 400-1,000 potential deaths. This would exceed our health care system's capacity.
OTHER STATE AGENCY UPDATES:
Department of Natural Resources
Staying home as much as possible is the best way to lower COVID-19 infection rates. But if you need a place with space, getting outdoors has both physical and mental benefits. Please maintain a 6 ft distance between others while outdoors.
Here’s the latest update for Wisconsin state parks and trails beginning March 24, 2020 from the DNR:
- Entrance fees at all Wisconsin State Parks and Trails are WAIVED
- Restrooms on state properties will remain open given there are enough resources, cleaning supplies and access to personal protective equipment for staff to maintain them
- The following buildings on all DNR properties are closed to the public: Park headquarters, offices, visitor centers, nature centers, research stations, ranger stations, shooting ranges, fish hatcheries, shelters, showers, concessions, and indoor group camp buildings
- All campsites (individual, group, and indoor) are closed through April 30, 2020, no new reservations will be accepted until further notice
- Wisconsin’s waters are open. You can fish if you have a license. Normal season regulations apply.
All current regulations apply for hunting, trapping, and fishing seasons
Distance is key during this public health emergency. Please do not congregate at restrooms, self-registration stations or electronic kiosks. Additionally, do not gather in groups of 10 or more people and maintain six feet of distance from others.
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.
For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website here.
Forward together,
