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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Coronavirus has been dominating news coverage and
has impacted all of our daily lives. From school
cancellations to restaurant closures to shortages of
essential goods on grocery store shelves, we’re all
getting a bit of whiplash trying to keep up with the
latest news in this rapidly changing news cycle.
As Wisconsin residents adapt to a new, short-term
reality to address Coronavirus, please keep in mind that
information is constantly changing as our knowledge
about this issue evolves. I’ve been working to collect
as much information as I can on Coronavirus to share
with all of you, but before I discuss some of these
details, I’d first encourage you to stay up-to-date with
the latest developments from every state agency and
learn how you and your neighbors can slow the spread of
COVID-19 on a
new
state website particularly designed for this
outbreak. While you’re on this website, you can also
subscribe to receive email updates.
Prevention
I’m sure you’ve heard this enough recently, but
according to state and federal health officials, actions
you can easily work into your daily routine will help to
prevent the spread of Coronavirus. These practices
should be used even by people who don’t have any
illnesses, as you may be a carrier of the disease but be
asymptomatic, or you may pick up the disease.
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Avoid close contact with others, even if they’re not
currently ill (known as ‘social distancing’)
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
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Stay home if you’re sick or if you may have a
compromised immune system
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Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw
the tissue in the trash
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Clean and disinfect frequently handled objects (such
as cell phones) and touched surfaces
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Follow
CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask
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And most importantly, wash your hands often with
soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and use hand
sanitizer between hand washings
Tracking
As of this afternoon, there were a total of 72 positive
tests and 1,038 negative results from those tested who
did not have Coronavirus. As numbers continue to rise,
keep in mind that increased testing will lead to a
better, more complete picture of the scope of this
problem in Wisconsin. That’s why self-isolation and
social distancing techniques for everyone, not just
those who have testing positive for Coronavirus, is so
important.
So far, only one positive test has been reported in a
county in the 2nd Senate District. Outagamie County has
had a positive test, while Brown, Shawano and Waupaca
Counties still do not have any positive tests as of this
afternoon.
To see the most up-to-date Coronavirus numbers compiled
by the State Department of Health Services, visit
their website.
Schools and Universities
On Friday, Governor Evers, in consultation with his
Health Secretary, required under emergency authority
that both public and private schools close to in-person
instruction starting on Wednesday. Many schools have
been more proactive and had already announced closures
before the Governor’s declaration, while others have
chosen to close earlier than Wednesday.
Given the difficulties that this closure for an
indefinite time period places on teachers to move
traditionally in-person instruction online in an
expedient manner, the Department of Public Instruction
has elected to exempt schools that
request a waiver from statewide requirements for
mandated hours of instruction so that, much like snow
makeup days, we don’t have an excessive number of
Coronavirus makeup days.
Colleges, including the UW-System, have also largely
taken the large step to close down for an indefinite
time period, some through the end of the school year,
and move instruction online. Whether you’re
a college student now at home or if you’re a parent with
a child now at home, you may be eligible for 60 days
of free broadband and Wi-Fi access from Charter to
ensure you don’t miss out on any online instruction.
Learn more about this officer from Charter on
their website.
Public Gatherings
Yesterday, the Governor expanded on his efforts relating
to schools to require that the Department of Health
Services order a ban on gatherings of 50 people or
more. Critical infrastructure and services such as
grocery stores, food pantries, childcare centers,
pharmacies, and hospitals are exempt from this order.
That order was updated today to match federal
recommendations of banning gatherings of ten people or
more. This ban becomes effective at 5 PM this afternoon.
Despite some exemptions and prior to this order, many
local businesses and corporate citizens had already
taken steps to protect their customers and employees,
some including voluntary closures of limited access.
More information on unemployment insurance changes
related to Coronavirus is expected to come out tomorrow,
including waiving work search requirements and modifying
availability for unemployment insurance to expand access
to those impacted.
Unemployment
In the wake of the changing business climate due to
Coronavirus, many questions have been raised to my
office by citizens, businesses, and organizations
regarding unemployment insurance and other workforce
development services that the state provides. I’ve
wanted to share
information directly from the source to help clarify
what the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) can
provide impacted workers.
We have also received several phone calls and emails
from constituents specifically regarding Unemployment
Insurance (UI) for individuals and businesses effected
by the virus. I have also included a
newly created link directly to frequently asked
questions about unemployment insurance during the time
of Coronavirus.
More information on unemployment insurance changes
related to Coronavirus are expected to come out
tomorrow, including waiving work search requirements and
modify availability for unemployment insurance to expand
access to those impacted.
Price Gouging and Consumer Protection
Price gouging, or raising the price of a product during
a time of scarcity, is illegal during a statewide
emergency. The Attorney General and Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) are
encouraging citizens to report suspected scams, fraud,
false marketing claims, price gouging, and other
consumer complaints related to Coronavirus. To report a
complaint, please contact DATCP’s Consumer Protection
Hotline at DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov or (800) 422-7128,
or file an
online complaint.
Additionally, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
has
notified utilities, because of the potential for
missed or reduced paychecks and additional expenses as
the nation deals with Coronavirus, that they may not
disconnect service due to nonpayment’s and must make
reasonable attempts to reconnect anyone who is
disconnected during the state public health emergency.
Early Voting
Tomorrow is the last day to register to vote by mail for
the April 7th election in Wisconsin. However, through
April 3rd pending local decisions to close the offices
of municipal clerks, voters can still head to the polls
early with in-person early absentee voting. Reducing the
size of the crowd at the polls on Election Day will be
important to ensure the spread of Coronavirus is
reduced. To learn more about requesting an absentee
ballot of voting early, visit
My Vote Wisconsin.
Ways to Help in Your Community
While practicing self-isolation and social distancing is
perhaps most important to help your neighbors by doing
your part to stop the spread of Coronavirus, if you’re
not ill and are able to, there are other ways you can
help out in your community during this public health
emergency.
Some suggestions that have been thrown out include:
check-in on neighbors, particularly the elderly or those
living alone; helping the elderly with necessary tasks
like shopping; not hoarding supplies while shopping;
thanking first responders, nurses and doctors, truck
drivers, and others helping our country function during
this difficult time, and;
giving blood at a local blood bank. These simple,
yet important steps will help to proverbially hold our
communities together during a time of social distancing.
Actions in the State Senate
As I continue monitoring the situation with Coronavirus
in Wisconsin, my office will continue to be open for
questions and comments from constituents. Additionally,
I’ll be continuing to monitor federal legislation and
work with other state legislative leaders to ensure the
Department of Health Services and other state agencies
have the resources necessary to continue a robust
response to this public health concern.
Conclusion
As always, please feel free to
contact my office with any questions or concerns you
may have, and be sure to visit
my website and connect with me on
Facebook,
Twitter, and
Instagram for regular updates on Coronavirus and
more from around the
2nd Senate District and in the State Capitol.
Thanks for reading!
Senator Robert Cowles
Proudly Serving Wisconsin's
2nd Senate District
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