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Claire DeRosa / Wisconsin Watch

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Today we highlight stories in which local and national experts warn that some form of social distancing may need to continue for weeks, months — even years — to keep the coronavirus pandemic at bay. Meanwhile, Gov. Tony Evers signals that his Safer at Home order closing schools and non-essential businesses and services — scheduled to end April 24 — will likely be extended.

Top stories

Incoming patient specimens to be tested for the COVID-19 virus are processed last week at UW Health. Testing capacity must increase before strict social distancing measures are lifted, health officials say. John Hart / Wisconsin State Journal

State may have seen COVID-19 peak without big surge, but officials say risk remainsWisconsin State Journal

Computer modeling shows social distancing might be needed into 2022 to avoid coronavirus resurgenceMilwaukee Journal Sentinel

Tony Evers plans to sign ‘imperfect’ COVID-19 response packageWisconsin State Journal

Making a difference: Madison makers build safety equipment for frontlines of COVID-19 fightThe Cap Times

In neighboring Iowa, golf courses are still open and at least some of them are welcoming Wisconsin golfersWisconsin Golf

What are we missing? And how are you coping? Help us provide critical information and accountability by filling out this form or emailing us at tips@wisconsinwatch.org

Government updates

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Gov. Tony Evers’ office

U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention

World Health Organization 

Live updates 

Live blog from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

Live blog from Wisconsin Public Radio reporters

Quotable

“These (homemade) masks in some sense mask the failure of the system to deliver the goods that are needed to protect workers and the public.”

Joe Shirmer, a retired occupational safety expert and co-author of the book “Essentials of Modern Hospital Safety,” commenting to the Cap Times on members of the public sewing masks for health care workers.

Stats to note

Compare Wisconsin’s pandemic experience against other states using this Stanford University tool:

Resilient Wisconsin

People helping others and showing resilience during this time of anxiety. Send suggestions by tagging us on social media — @wisconsinwatch — or emailing us: tips@wisconsinwatch.org.

La Crosse Distilling Co. distributing hand sanitizer across WisconsinLa Crosse Tribune

He’s back: Madison man who made viral coronavirus music video out with sequelWisconsin State Journal

The Wisconsin Historical Society is operating the COVID-19 Poster Project in which state artists produce public service posters. This poster was created by Keegan Onefoot-Wenkman of Madison.

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The nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (wisconsinwatch.org) collaborates with Wisconsin Public Radio, PBS Wisconsin, other news media and the UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by the Center do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates.

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