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Friends and Neighbors,

 

I hope this update finds you well, and enjoying the start of your summer. On this particular Friday, we recognize and celebrate Juneteenth, when we commemorate the day news finally reached enslaved African-Americans in the Deep South that confederate forces had surrendered and that over two years earlier President Lincoln had granted their freedom with the Emancipation Proclamation. We continue to remember these historic initial steps away from the most troubling chapters in our country’s past in order to recommit to the work that must still be done to provide justice and equality to all people, particularly as we reflect on more recent events surrounding race and prejudice.

 

This weekend also marks Father’s Day, a time when many families gather to celebrate together. As we navigate this very different Father's Day weekend, I ask that all of Kenosha neighbors continue to be part of the solution in our nationwide fight against Covid-19. Although the Safer at Home guidelines are in the past, Covid-19 is very much still a part of the present and we must continue to take the proper precautions to keep each other safe.

 

I wish you all a 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, 

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Wisconsin COVID-19 summary

Status

Number (%) of People as of ‎6‎/‎18‎/‎2020‎

Negative Test Results

433,913

Positive Test Results

23,876

Hospitalizations

3,160 (14%)

Deaths

719

 

  • Of the 23,876 positive test results, 1,392 of them have come in Kenosha County, and 36 individuals have died.
  • For the most up-to-date data on testing, please visit the Department of Health Services website HERE.

Kenosha County is averaging 13 to 15 new cases per day.  While we are not in a spike, we are seeing consistent new cases, meaning community spread is still occurring.  This must be a reminder to each of us in our community to maintain social distancing practices and continue to limit unnecessary interactions. 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.

 

 

Racial Disparity and Policing Reform

The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless others have once again brought into focus that there is more work to be done to ensure justice and equality for all of us. Today, Governor Evers announced a series of legislative reforms based on input from legislators targeted at improving police accountability and transparency and reducing racial disparities. While no single bill can solve the pervasive and painful impacts of racial injustice, we must take urgent action to begin to overcome these where we can.

 

These proposals include statewide use of force standards to limit the use of deadly force except as a last resort, funding for community groups that connect individuals with support and provide non-violent interventions, prohibit chokeholds and no-knock warrants, provides protections for victims of malicious unnecessary calls to police, data tracking and reporting, and de-escalation training requirement. I hope that these proposals can receive bipartisan support and swift action. 

 

More info and the text of the legislation are here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/29179dc

 

We’re All In Small Business Grants

Remember that the application deadline for the WEDC We’re All In Small Business Grant program is 5pm on June 21. Small businesses are encouraged to apply for the program, which steers $2,500 grants to 30,000 small businesses to help with the costs of business interruption or health and safety improvements, wages and salaries, rent, mortgages and inventory. The online grant application is here: https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/wai-small-business-grant/

 

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. 

To apply, Kenosha County residents should 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 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 Activity Guidelines and State Parks

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.

 

Kenosha County Kickstart Plan

Kenosha County has developed a local plan to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 while bringing back our economy.  The Kenosha County Kickstart is a phased approach designed to both prevent an additional wave of COVID-19 and get our economy back in gear.  More information 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

 

Unemployment Assistance

We are aware connecting with a claims specialist via phone to discuss unemployment benefits can be difficult and frustrating as the department works to meet the unprecedented demand of the current pandemic.  The best and fastest way to file and track a claim is online and not by telephone.  However, we know portions of your application can require you to speak with a claims specialist.  If you cannot get through and need assistance, contact my office.

 

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.

 

In response to numerous inquiries from community members on how they can help during the COVID-19 emergency, the Kenosha County Joint Information Center is publishing a weekly list of needs at local food pantries.  This list is compiled by Extension Kenosha County in cooperation with the Joint Information Center. To add your organization to the list, please contact Amy.Greil@kenoshacounty.org.

 

Current needs by organization, including the hours they are open to accept donations, are as HERE.

 

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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Copyright © 2019 State Representative Tod Ohnstad, 65th Assembly District. All rights reserved.