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When might it be safe for Wisconsinites to gradually reopen businesses and relax other restrictions meant to slow the coronavirus’ spread? Experts can’t offer a precise date, but they agree that quickly and widely testing for the virus will be key for figuring that out. Today we highlight a story by the Appleton Post-Crescent’s Madeline Heim, a former Wisconsin Watch intern, examining a key question in that realm: Why are the state’s testing labs running below their reported capacity?
Top stories
Wisconsin officials say labs can run 7,500-plus coronavirus tests each day. So why are far fewer people being tested? — Appleton Post-Crescent
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos threatens lawsuit over stay-at-home order as partisan divide widens over COVID-19 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
18 Milwaukee Police Department employees infected with coronavirus, assistant chief says — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
7 Midwest states to partner on reopening the economy — Associated Press
Apply now: County calling on restaurants to provide meals for seniors through federal program — Journal Times
Critics of Gov. Tony Evers’ ‘safer at home’ order plan Capitol protest — The Cap Times
‘Teachers are pretty broken-hearted’: COVID-19 closes schools but learning to continue — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Government updates
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U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention
Live updates
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Live coverage from WPR reporters
Quotable
“Abuse thrives in isolation and in silence. It just gives up so much more power and so much more control to the abuser. And that’s what we’re really seeing here right now.”
Barb Fischer, executive director of Advocates of Ozaukee, speaking to WPR about growing concerns about domestic abuse during Wisconsin’s “Safer at Home” order.
Data to note
Our partners at WisContext offer a visual reminder of what it means to “flatten the curve.”
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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.
She started jumping rope for laughs. Now she has a Facebook group with nearly 30,000 members. — Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Feel-good Friday: 8 small acts of kindness spotted in community, from handwritten notes with $100 to popcorn on front steps — Green Bay Press-Gazette
Teaming up for a good cause — Kenosha News
Artist Mauricio Ramirez created this mural honoring front line workers and medical professionals on the corner of South Sixth Street and Lincoln Avenue in Milwaukee. (Photo by Adam Carr/ Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)
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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.
