According to DHS, Wisconsin had a doubling rate of COVID-19 infections every 3.4 days in early March. Due to Governor Evers'order and all of your sacrifices to keep our communities safe, the rate of doubling is now approximately 12 days. This is a great development. I want to see this trend continue.
DHS extended and altered the Safer at Home order with these changes:
Public libraries may provide curb-side pick-up of books and other materials.
Golf courses may open with restrictions. Scheduling and paying for tee times may only occur online or by phone. Clubhouses and pro shops must remain closed.
Non-essential businesses can do additional things as Minimum Basic Operations including deliveries, mailings, and curb-side pick-up. These businesses must notify workers of whether they are necessary for these operations.
Arts and craft stores may offer expanded curb-side pick-up of materials necessary to make face masks and other personal protective equipment.
Aesthetic and optional exterior lawn care or construction is allowed if it can be done by one person.
Essential businesses and operations must increase cleaning and disinfection practices.
Retail stores that remain open to the public must limit the number of people in the in the store at one time. Large stores must offer at least two hours per week of dedicated shopping time for vulnerable populations.
Public and private K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
People are strongly encouraged to stay close to home, not travel to second homes or cabins, and not travel out of state if it is not necessary.
We are all sacrificing. Now we're being asked to continue for another month. I know this is difficult for small businesses, restaurants, bars, salons, farmers, and others too numerous to mention. Difficult probably isn't a strong enough word for how much some of you are giving. We have flattened the curve. Experts are telling us that reopening too soon will reverse what we've accomplished. This action is necessary so we can protect each other and our families from death.
Our economic recovery is directly tied to public health. The faster we can slow the spread of COVID-19, the sooner we can safely re-open the economy and keep it open. While we are flattening the curve well, public health experts and leading health care providers agree that the most effective thing we can do to prevent unnecessary deaths is to stay home.
Staying home will allow more time for procuring personal protective equipment for our healthcare workers on the front lines, expanding hospital capacity so that those healthcare workers can treat admitted patients, and scaling up widespread testing and contract tracing.
I have heard from so many of you about how challenging these times are. Thank you for all of the effort you're putting in to ensure we stay safe and the hospitals aren't overloaded. Believe me I want to get back to my favorite restaurant or barber or visit my favorite farmer down the road as much as you do. We're all in this together. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please reach out to my office. My staff and I are working hard to respond as quickly as possible.
Stay at home: read and follow the updated Safer at Home initiative, and only take essential trips such as to your work, the grocery store, pharmacy, or health care center
Practice social distancing: stay 6 feet apart from people when in public
Clean often: wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and refrain from touching other people (shaking hands)
Be mindful: if you are sick or think you may have come into contact with someone who is sick, stay home, avoid touching your face, and clean frequently touched surfaces often
I encourage you to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns during this time at Rep.Considine@legis.wi.gov. It is important to me to hear from you on issues at the state level. Thank you to everyone who has already contacted my office.
