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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
Small Businesses
Financial Resources
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"Like" Representative
Murphy's Facebook Page
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I have a Facebook page so I can continually engage with you on
important topics facing the state. Please like it by
clicking here! 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.
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"Like" Representative Murphy's
Official Facebook Page
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Welcome!
I live in Greenville, but have an
office at the State Capitol in Madison. If you are in
downtown Madison, please feel free to stop by and say
hello! Just go to the information desk in the rotunda,
and they can direct you on how to find my office, 318
North. At the bottom of each e-update, you'll see my
office contact information.
If your school or group plans to tour the Capitol
building, please let me know in advance. I'd
love to visit with you for a few minutes and take a
group photo.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
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