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Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you all had a happy and safe Independence Day as summer proceeds under different circumstances than usual. Although we may not have been able to celebrate the birth of our nation in the same fashion we are accustomed to, I sincerely hope you all found a way to relax and enjoy time with those around you. Independence Day is also a reminder of the tremendous obstacles we have overcome as a nation by working together and the strength and sacrifice needed to get through tough times.
38 states including ours have seen coronavirus cases on the rise recently, with Wisconsin and eight others setting new record highs in the past week. In the month since Memorial Day weekend, Wisconsin has doubled the number of positive cases we had experienced in the five prior months combined. Parts of this country are seeing even more remarkable surges. In comparison, this data shows that early efforts were relatively successful.
However, statewide interventions to require masks or regulate gathering undertaken again by other states are legally unattainable now due to the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision restricting the authority of the Department of Health Services and inaction by the current majority in the legislature who had filed that lawsuit to provide additional authority or assistance. Please continue to practice social distancing, wear masks, and washing your hands as often as you can. We are in this fight together.
I wish you all a continued happy and safe summer. I will continue to keep you updated on COVID-19 developments in our state and community via my legislative website and Facebook page. I always welcome your feedback and opinions, so please feel free to contact me at (608) 266-0455 or Rep.Ohnstad@legis.wi.gov.
Sincerely,
Wisconsin COVID-19 summary
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Status
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Number (%) of People as of 07/07/2020
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Negative Test Results
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601,012
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Positive Test Results
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32,556
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Deaths
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805
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- Of the 32,556 positive test results, 1,610 of them have come in Kenosha County, and 44 individuals have died.
- For the most up-to-date data on testing, please visit the Department of Health Services website HERE.
While Kenosha County has fortunately not recently been a top hot bed of transmission, the data can spike with little warning and we continue to count a steady stream of new cases every day. Kenosha Health Director Freiheit notes that local cases are spread through gatherings both large and small, spanning birthday parties, sleepovers, barbecues, baby showers, and other get-togethers. Spread is further attributed to high levels of people who are asymptomatic themselves, but are infecting others through close interaction. Find the most current information on COVID-19 on the DHS website HERE.
If you have symptoms or have concerns you may have been exposed – get tested.
Contact your doctor or find more about available community testing sites from DHS HERE.
Tax Day Reminder – July 15
Due to the onset of the coronavirus this spring, the IRS and Wisconsin DOR delayed the tax filing due date to July 15. Many may have filed in the interim, but be careful not to let this mid-summer deadline to slip your mind. Learn more about available resources and assistance from Secretary Barca and the Department of Revenue HERE.
Hot Car Rescue Law
Summer heat is here and with it comes the risks associated with children and pets left in hot cars. In Wisconsin, good samaritans who find this situation and take the required initial steps are empowered to act to break into the car to rescue the occupant without facing legal liability.
I was proud to author and champion this state law in 2015. Learn more about the steps you need to take to take action here: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/related/lcactmemo/act103.pdf
Kenosha Receives Federal Grant Money for Coast Management
Last week, the Evers Administration announced that several Kenosha-area projects will receive federally funded grants which are administered under the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. These include addressing erosion and invasive species at the mouth of the Pike River and supporting groundwater monitoring and a wetland assessment of the Kenosha Dunes.
Our natural resources are truly a treasure and with proper care we can ensure they remain pristine for generations to come.
Learn more about the projects HERE.
Beware of Scams
While contact tracing is critical to our ability to contain the spread, unfortunately DOJ and DHS are warning that bad actors posing as contact tracers may also want to take advantage of the current crisis. We need individuals to share information about their contacts with others if contacted by a contact tracer, but a legitimate contact tracer would never ask for banking information or a social security number. Learn what to expect and how to protect yourself here: dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/seoc.htm
Kenosha County ADRC Offering Grocery Delivery for Seniors
Need help getting groceries while staying safer at home? The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) can help bridge the gap for those who want to limit trips to public spaces or need help with online grocery shopping. Free assistance is now being offered through a partnership between the ADRC, certain grocery stores and KAC. Staff will place your grocery order with you over the phone and schedule a free delivery through Care-A-Van at your convenience. Payment is accepted by check or card. Go HERE to learn more.
Summer Safety
Beyond general guidelines for preventing COVID-19 spread, the Department of Health Services has also shared some summer specific to other summer activities. Best practices for beachgoers is HERE. All additional summer activity related guidance is available HERE under “Questions for Summer” tab. State campgrounds have also reopened with certain restrictions. You can read more about these changes on the DNR website HERE.
Rental Assistance Program
Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency is accepting applications for the Governor’s Rental Assistance Program, which provides grants of up to $3,000 to help pay for rent and security deposits. Payments will be made directly to landlords. Eligible applicants must have a household income at or below 80% of the county median income in the month of or prior to the application date, and must provide documentation showing that they’ve had significant loss of income due to COVID-19. Contact Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency at (262) 657-0840 or https://www.rkcaa.org/kenosha. You can learn more about the Rental Assistance Program on the Department of Administration (DOA) website HERE.
Kenosha County Kickstart and Re-opening Guidance
Kenosha County has developed a local plan to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 while bringing back our economy. More information about the Kenosha Kickstart is available HERE.
Additional statewide safe reopening guidelines from WEDC are available HERE.
The Department of Workforce Development has also updated work safety guidance HERE.
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings. Read more HERE.
National Disaster Distress Helpline
This toll-free, multilingual 24/7 phone line provides immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters, including COVID-19. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common during times like this. To speak with a counselor, call:
- 1-800-985-5990
- 1-800-846-8517 (TTY)
Or Text: TalkWithUs to 66746
Local Resources
Kenosha County is currently operating an online hub for information about Covid-19, resources available for local residents, and tips for staying healthy during this crisis. Please visit their website HERE for all of the most up-to-date and local information.
All Available State and Federal Benefits
To learn more about all benefits and assistance available at this time at the state or national level, go to Benefits.gov and Access.Wisconsin.gov. There you can answer a brief survey that can direct you to programs that may be able to help meet your individual needs.
Resource Links
The links below are constantly being updated with new information and resources. Please continue to visit them when you have questions or concerns. The link at the bottom for Kenosha County is an extremely useful tool for folks in our area and I encourage you to visit it frequently.
If you have any questions regarding any information in this newsletter, or would like to speak with me or my staff, please feel free to contact me by phone at (608) 266-0455 or Rep.Ohnstad@legis.wi.gov
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