Yesterday I was part of a briefing call on COVID-19 with Senior Administration Officials at the White House. The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is coordinating testing supplies, supplemental appropriations bills and remaining in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Today Governor Evers has declared a state of Emergency in Wisconsin due to the virus. The Capitol will remain open, although tours have been suspended and heightened sanitary precautions are being put in place.
After discussions with local health providers across the district, if you suspect you have symptoms, please call the doctor’s office before you arrive so they have time to prepare. As testing capabilities become more accessible many of our health providers may begin a drive thru testing program in order to prevent contact with others being seen for other health concerns.
Please do not just show up at your local health care providers. Call first.
I am grateful that both our state and federal government are working to stop what has now been classified as a global pandemic. The focus is currently on reducing the possible spread to older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems or chronic health conditions.
The CDC says the best way to prevent illness is to:
Clean your hands often
Avoid close contact
Stay home if you’re sick
Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm, not your hand
Wear a face mask if you are sick
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Click here to be redirected to the CDC website or for local information click here to be redirected to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
A special thank you to Susanna Baker of De Forest who gave a presentation in the Rotunda on containing Chronic Wasting Disease through composting deer carcasses. The research was conducted through UW-Stevens Point and the Department of Natural Resources.
Also this week I got to sit down with Bethesda’s Regional Director, Pam Ducklow to discuss increasing opportunities in our communities for those with disabilities.
