COVID-19 Resource Roundup
July 10, 2020

Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for joining me for another COVID-19 update and resource roundup for Wisconsin and in the Racine community. We are living through particularly challenging times, but I am so grateful all of you are working to stay informed, support our neighbors, and protect our community. 

Because of legislative rules during campaign season, these updates will not be emailed directly to you, but they are always available on my legislative website under the E-Update tab

To close out our week, I wanted to share a few key COVID-19 resources and updates that are available to our community: 

WI Breaks Single-Day New Case Records Twice This Week 

For the second day in a row, Wisconsin broke single-day COVID-19 new case records, with 845 new cases reported today.

It will take all of us to slow this disease down and flatten the curve again to protect our friends, family, and neighbors.

Please continue to follow CDC recommendations, including:

  • Wear a cloth face covering when you leave your home;
  • Practice social distancing;
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Stay home if you feel ill; and
  • Get tested if you are not feeling well or suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19.

For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website HERE

 


Free Public COVID-19 Tests Available Next Week

Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 testing returns to Racine's Festival Hall next week.

Testing will be available June 13-16, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. No appointment is necessary and everyone (ages 5+) is welcome to come get tested.

Thank you to the City of Racine Health Department, Racine County, and the Wisconsin National Guard for continuing to coordinate these free opportunities in our community.


NEW: Racine Emergency Eviction Prevention Program Opens July 13th

Today, the City of Racine officially launched the Racine Emergency Eviction Prevention Program in partnership with Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI.

The program aims to help low-income City residents avoid eviction and prevent homelessness as many Racinians struggle to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications will open Monday morning at 8 a.m. Call 1-855-397-9520 (toll-free) on Monday to begin the application process or visit www.lsswis.org/housing for more information.

 

Thank you to the City of Racine and LSS for your work creating this program. For more information: http://www.thewheelerreport.com/wheeler_docs/files/071020mason.pdf

 


Gov. Evers Announces Statewide Efforts to Distribute PPE to Schools, Businesses, Food Processors

On Monday, Governor Tony Evers announced statewide efforts to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to schools, food processors, and businesses across the state.

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) will begin shipping more than 2 million cloth face masks and more than 4,200 infrared thermometers to K-12 public, charter, and private schools throughout the state.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is also helping to facilitate the delivery of approximately 60,000 masks to Wisconsin food processors and businesses.

For more information, click HERE.


Talking with Teens About COVID-19

Wondering how to discuss COVID-19 with your teenagers? This article from a University of Wisconsin pediatrician shares tips and recommendations for how to talk about the pandemic and its effects on their lives and your community. For more information, click HERE.


 Unemployment Assistance

While I am sympathetic to the record number of applications DWD has received, I also believe that those seeking unemployment insurance should have a reasonable expectation of when they will collect their benefits. That’s why my office has stepped in to serve as another pathway to DWD. My staff has been working hard to send cases to DWD and request that they are promptly reviewed.

If you have not received your benefits and would like my office to assist you, please email rep.neubauer@legis.wisconsin.gov with the information listed below. Once we have your information, we will send your case to DWD as soon as possible.

  • Full name (first name, last name, and middle initial)
  • Date of birth and last four digits of your Social Security Number
  • Address and phone number
  • Issue that needs to be resolved 
  • Information on your application
    • Date of your initial application
    • Did you apply for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)? 
    • What is the status of your claims? (i.e. pending due to review of ability to work) 
    • Have you received any communication from DWD since you submitted your application? (i.e. they asked you to submit pay stubs)

PUA Updates

Some PUA applicants began receiving payments in late May. However, others may be seeing longer wait times for applications to be processed, because each application must be assessed by hand based on individual details.

A new PUA-specific hotline has been established to help constituents complete their PUA claims and to provide general information related to the PUA program only. Those calling for other reasons will not be assisted via this hotline as those staffing the phones are trained exclusively in PUA.

PUA Hotline: (608) 318-7100

If you have questions about the unemployment or PUA processes, the “Frequently Asked Questions” sections on the DWD website are updated regularly with new information. You can find the FAQ pages HERE.


Safe Shopping Resources During

COVID-19:

The Racine Mobile Market

Struggling to make it to the grocery store during COVID-19? The Racine Mobile Market is continuing to make stops throughout the Racine area during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone is welcome to shop at the market, which is  run by the Hunger Task Force and stocked by Malicki’s Piggy Wiggly. The market accepts debit, credit and Quest/EBT cards, but not cash.

The Hunger Task Force has enacted new public health guidance at each mobile market stop to ensure shoppers maintain social distancing. The Mobile Market will take your grocery orders at the entrance, where a staffer will track and complete your shopping and then completes the payment transaction at the other end of the bus. These measures ensure that only one individual — who wears gloves at all times — is handling produce, shopping carts and grocery bags before you receive your groceries. Shoppers are asked to maintain 6 feet of distance in line. 


To find out where the Racine Mobile Market is stopping next, check the calendar HERE.


 Important Links for COVID-19 Information

  • The Governor's office has launched a website with information and resources throughout the state government. You can visit it HERE.
  • The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has a website tracking COVID-19 in Wisconsin, including health-related resources from the CDC. This website is updated daily by 2:00 p.m. You can visit it HERE.
  • The City and County of Racine have launched COVID-19/Coronavirus websites with local information and resources. You can find Racine County’s website HERE, including daily updates from the Joint Information Center. The City of Racine’s website is available HERE.

This is a non-exhaustive list of resources and updates --  if you don’t find what you’re looking for here, you can find information for non-medical services online at 211 Wisconsin, dial 211 on your phone, or text your ZIP code to 898211. 


 

Thank you for following along and staying up-to-date with these developments. As always, please reach out if you have thoughts, concerns, or questions. You can reach us via phone at (608) 266-0634 or via email at rep.neubauer@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Wishing all of you a safe, happy, and healthy weekend.

Sincerely,

 2018 NEUBAUER Signature.jpg

Greta Neubauer

State Representative

66th Assembly District