Giving Thanks in 2020

Like so much this year, the holiday season is also having to adapt due to COVID-19. The highest risk of exposure comes from many of our traditional holiday activities such as gathering in larger groups. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers the following guidelines to stay safe this Thanksgiving:  

Activities to Avoid this Holiday Season:

• Gatherings with people from outside your household. 
• Visiting bars and other indoor spaces. 
• Indoor dining at restaurants.
• Crowded parades or race events. 
• Shopping in crowded stores.

Unfortunately, many of the actions needed to keep people safe from COVID-19 also mean lost revenue for local small businesses, especially many who have been struggling since the beginning of the pandemic. Please consider alternate ways to support your favorite restaurant, bar, or small business during this time. This e-update also includes suggestions on how to support local businesses further down the page.

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Dane County COVID-19 Update

As of Tuesday, November 24, 2020, there were 25,660 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Dane County. Of those, 20,116 individuals have recovered. Visit Public Health's Data Dashboard for the latest on COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations, deaths, tests by date, and more.

On November 17, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued Emergency Order #10, which prohibits indoor gatherings of any size. Outdoor gatherings are permitted with 10 people or less, with physical distancing. The order went into effect on November 18 and expires on December 16. This new order, like its predecessors, is designed to call attention to where we are seeing the greatest amount of disease spread and interrupt the virus's quick movement through our community. Check out Public Health's blog post "What's Allowed in Emergency Order #10?" for more information and answers to commonly asked questions.

When do I need to wear a face-covering?

Under state and local orders, people five years of age and older must wear a face covering:

• Indoors and in any enclosed building where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit, are present.
• In line to enter any enclosed building.
• Driving or riding in any vehicle where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit are present.
• In any other confined space open to the public where individuals congregate where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit, are present, including but not limited to, outdoor taverns, outdoor restaurants, and outdoor park structures.

There are Many Options for COVID-19 Testing in Dane County:

• Your healthcare provider -- If you have health insurance, we recommend contacting your healthcare provider to see if they are able to test you.
• Alliant Energy Center -- This community testing site is open Tuesday through Saturday for people ages 5 and older.
• UW-Madison -- UW-Madison has testing available on campus for students and staff members.

South Madison Community Test Site -- This community testing site is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for people ages 5 and older.

*Information provided by Dane Co. Executive Joe Parisi

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Additional Hunting Safety Needed this Year

Wisconsin’s gun deer season, which began on November 21^st, and concludes this Sunday, November 29^th, is off to a good start. According to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), license sales are up 6 percent over last year, and over 95,000 deer were harvested last weekend, a 2 percent increase.

This year's hunting safety measures go beyond blaze orange and COVID-19 needs to be considered. These recommendations from the Mayo Clinic should be part of your hunt this year:

• Limit the number of people in your hunting party. Hunting alone or with only members of your immediate household is the safest option.
• Hunt close to home when possible so you don't bring the virus with you to other areas.
• Avoid large gatherings in cabins, restaurants, or taverns.
• Avoid shared or buffet meals. Pack individual meals instead.
• Sleep at your own home or in separate hotel rooms. Avoid bunkroom or cabin sleeping arrangements where physical distancing and masking overnight is difficult.
• Avoid indoor and outdoor crowds.
• Wear a face mask when you’re not alone. It may feel awkward to mask, but wearing a face mask when with people outside your household could prevent you or others from getting ill.
• Carry and use hand sanitizer.
• Try to maintain a social distance of 6 feet, especially indoors, but also while outdoors.
• Stay home if you aren't feeling well.
• Use online game registration options instead of in-person registration.
• Share trophy game photos virtually instead of traveling to other in-person hunting parties.
• Avoid high-touch surfaces.

By following these recommendations, hunters can ensure a safe and enjoyable hunt while limiting the spread of COVID-19.

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Thank You, Election Officials and Volunteers!

As you likely know, Dane and Milwaukee Counties have been recounting their presidential ballots. The Trump campaign paid nearly $8 million for this recount to occur.

Here in Dane County, the recount is happening every day until it is complete. The work for this recount is taking place at the Monona Terrace which is providing a safe place for the recounting. You can watch the recount live stream here.

Thank you to Dane County Clerk Scott McDonnell, his staff, other election officials, the Monona Terrace, and all volunteers for empowering democracy through this recount. Your time and efforts are appreciated!

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Wisconsin’s economy and Wisconsin’s health have never been more connected. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) hosts the We’re All In Website which is dedicated to supporting local businesses across the state during this pandemic and especially now during this holiday season. Additionally, the business resources page provides tools and ideas to help business owners develop the right practices to keep employees and customers safe and their future secure. 

You can also check out the Main Street Wisconsin website which is a great place for consumers to look for Wisconsin small businesses to support, but also a great marketing tool for businesses to make their presence known. Business with a physical presence that customers can visit and offer e-Commerce through a dedicated website or social media with the ability to ship statewide, you’re eligible to be listed in the MainStreetWI.com portal. Utilizing these tools are a great way to support small business, and also stay safe at home.

You can also protect Wisconsin’s environment and support Wisconsin’s economy by buying local. If you plan to buy any trees or wreaths this year, make an effort to buy Wisconsin grown evergreens. For example, last year, an invasive pest called elongate hemlock scale (EHS) was found on Fraser and balsam fir wreaths, trees, baskets, and boughs from eastern states. EHS is a threat to Wisconsin’s Christmas trees, native hemlock and balsam fir forests, and decorative evergreens. If you do happen to purchase evergreens from another region, be sure to look it over well for possible invasive plant pests before buying them.

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Wisconsin Fun Fact

The Thanksgiving table does not seem complete without Wisconsin’s state fruit, the cranberry.  The cranberry gets its name from its blossom resembling the sandhill crane and is native to North America. Wisconsin’s first bogs can be traced back to the 1830s before statehood. Cranberry farming is a long-term commitment, and most farms in Wisconsin are generational operations.

Contrary to popular belief, cranberries do not grow in water. The small, tart berry grows on low vines found in marsh-like areas making the sand and peat marshes of Central and Northern Wisconsin the ideal for the crop. The misconception about the fruit growing in the water likely comes from the fact that in the fall the marshes where they grow are flooded to aid in harvesting. Once the flooding occurs, the berries float to the top of the water because they have pockets of air inside.

Wisconsin leads the nation in cranberry yields and has so for over two decades. Our annual harvest accounts for over 60% of all production in the United States. It contributes approximately $1 billion annually to Wisconsin’s economy.  A drive along Hwy 173 between Tomah and Wisconsin Rapids in the fall is filled with red cranberry bogs since the majority of Wisconsin’s 21,000 acres dedicated to the fruit located along this route.

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