November 30, 2020

Working for you!

Heading In the Right Direction

Over the past week we saw the number of new COVID cases decreasing, and while experts are concerned that the holiday may increase numbers, I’m hopeful that individual choices to observe responsible social distancing will help Wisconsin continue in the right direction.

Please do all you can to follow CDC guidance to slow the spread and help our medical professionals manage this crisis.

Election Update

Later this week or early next week the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections, on which I serve, is planning to hold a hearing in which invited individuals will testify regarding the integrity of our elections. It is critical for us to conduct an in-depth review of the election to ensure there was no fraud or misconduct.

Once a meeting of the committee is scheduled, an agenda will be publicly posted here.

Operation Warp Speed Making Progress

The Trump administration’s “Operation Warp Speed” to quickly develop a vaccine for COVID-19 has produced multiple highly effective vaccines. The first has begun shipping to the US and will likely begin to be distributed before Christmas. The CDC will be working closely with the governor to determine where to send vaccine supplies and which populations to make the vaccine available to first. It’s likely that the vaccine will be available first to medical professionals and individuals in high risk categories. You can learn more about Operation Warp Speed and the CDC’s vaccination distribution plan here.

It's Not Too Late to Shop at Small Businesses

While this past Satruday was Small Business Saturday, you still have time to shop local. Click on the image above to learn more.  

Avoid Vaccine Imposter Scams

Researchers are recruiting participants for COVID-19 vaccine research in Wisconsin, and scammers are beginning to take advantage. If you are considering participating in a vaccine trial, make sure you know how to distinguish legitimate studies from imposters. Use these tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to avoid becoming a victim of an imposter scam.

Verify the research study. Clinical trials are big news; you should be able to find news stories online for legitimate trials on COVID-19 vaccines in your area by looking at local news sites. If you see an advertisement for a study, do an online search with the provided information and the terms “news,” “scam,” or “review” to check whether the study is legitimate. Do not click on links in emails, messages, or pop-up advertisements. Instead, use a verified website for the study host to ensure that you are not providing information to a scammer.

If you are interested in volunteering for a research study, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) runs a COVID-19 Prevention Network site with a volunteer screening database that can match you to a current or future study. Alternatively, you can verify information on a wide range of clinical studies, including if they are currently recruiting participants, and official contact information, by searching the free searchable database maintained by NIH and the National Library of Medicine at ClinicalTrials.Gov.

Understand what personal information the study may need. Screening questions for volunteers will likely include information such as your name, phone number, email, address, age, gender, race, ethnicity, and medical history. However, legitimate clinical trials should not ask for your Social Security number or financial account numbers.

Never pay to participate. Many legitimate vaccine studies may offer compensation for participation in the study. However, legitimate studies will not ask for payment or credit card information. If you are compensated for participation in a legitimate study, you can further protect your financial information by asking for your payment as a check rather than direct deposit.

If you have been a victim of an imposter scam, related to COVID-19 or otherwise, file a consumer complaint with DATCP. Consumers can file a complaint online at datcp.wi.gov, by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128, or by emailing DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.

Upcoming Events

Check out upcoming events near us by visiting the Wisconsin Tourism website or https://appletondowntown.org/upcoming-events/ and if you run into me while you’re out and about be sure to stop and say hi!

"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.