Today we lead with a programming note: This is Wisconsin Watch’s last daily COVID-19 Update, at least for now. As increased vaccinations allow more Wisconsinites to emerge from more than a year of isolation, fewer people are seeking daily updates on COVID-19’s casualties and how to navigate pandemic life.
Category: Wisconsin COVID-19 Update
A roundup of top news and information about Wisconsin’s response to the coronavirus. If you want to receive these updates in your email inbox, click here. Also follow our Coronavirus Coverage series as Wisconsin Watch’s reporters and editors investigate state and local impacts of the global pandemic and issues related to quality of life in Wisconsin.
Posted inWisconsin COVID-19 Update
High court strikes down Dane County school-closing order — 6/11/21
The Wisconsin State Journal’s Chris Rickert reports on the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision Friday that overturned a Dane County health order that closed schools to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Posted inWisconsin COVID-19 Update
Report: Wisconsin schools could lose $2.3 billion in pandemic funds under Republican budget -— 6/10/21
Wisconsin’s K-12 schools could lose out on $2.3 billion in pandemic stimulus funds unless Republican budget writers allocate more state funds directly to education, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Wisconsin State Journal reports.
Posted inWisconsin COVID-19 Update
Some less-vaccinated U.S. communities see COVID-19 hospitalization rates soar — 6/9/21
COVID-19 infections are dwindling across much of the United States — including Wisconsin, but highly contagious variants of the virus continue to spread in pockets of the country with low vaccination rates
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Wisconsin prisons to resume in-person visits beginning July 6 — 6/8/21
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections on Monday announced plans to reinstate in-person visits for prisoners following a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In-person visits will resume July 6, with precautions taken, the agency said in a press release.
Posted inWisconsin COVID-19 Update
Study: Coronavirus doesn’t threaten nation’s blood supply — 6/7/21
The novel coronavirus does not appear to threaten the nation’s blood supply — as long as standard screening protocols are followed, according to a new study by the National Institutes of Health.
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Milwaukee group uses language, culture to reach the vaccine hesitant — 6/4/21
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Sophie Carson reports on one of the innovative strategies being rolled out across Wisconsin to boost immunization against COVID-19. Carson reports that the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition has received a $48,000 state grant to hire a group of eight Muslim students to communicate with vaccine-hesitant Muslims in their native languages, including Arabic, Somali, Rohingya and Urdu.
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Wisconsin child care centers struggle as economy reopens — 6/3/21
Today we feature a story by WPR’s Shamane Mills, who reports that while many people are returning to work, child care remains scarce — and the industry is in trouble. Mills tells the story of Silke O’Donnell, who closed her Madison day care center after 27 years. “Last year was just so mentally stressful,” O’Donnell said. “I just made the decision that I’m going to quit a couple years early.” Mills reports that thousands of day care centers across the country have closed due to rising costs and falling enrollment during the pandemic, including many in Wisconsin.
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A Wisconsin teacher reflects on her pandemic experience — 6/2/21
La Crosse teacher Julie Welch, one of the residents featured in the WPR/Wisconsin Watch series Outbreak Wisconsin, says the pandemic has been a mixed experience. She missed seeing and hugging her children and gathering with family and friends to mourn the sudden passing of her father-in-law in March. But there were some good things, too. “I’ve spent so much more time this year being reflective, being alone, being quiet, and it’s been good,” Welch said.
Posted inWisconsin COVID-19 Update
Feds: Republican budget plan risks $1.5 billion in school pandemic relief — 5/28/21
Wisconsin schools could lose out on $1.5 billion in pandemic relief under the education spending plan that Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee advanced Thursday, federal officials warn.
Posted inWisconsin COVID-19 Update
Will you need COVID-19 booster shot? Scientists are studying that. — 5/27/21
U.S. scientists are expanding efforts to answer such questions, Carolyn Y. Johnson reports for The Washington Post. That includes a trial scheduled to launch next week that will test the effects of mixing vaccine brands if needed.
Posted inNews & Announcements, Wisconsin COVID-19 Update
There’s a powerful network challenging vaccine mandates nationwide — 5/26/21
Today we highlight a Washington Post profile of a law firm connected to the anti-vaccine movement — part of a network that has challenged coronavirus vaccine mandates nationwide, including at a Rock County, Wisconsin-owned nursing home that’s now weighing whether to lift the mandate.