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Wisconsin’s economically crippling shutdown to slow coronavirus might seem unprecedented, but it’s not. Today we highlight a story from Wisconsin Watch investigations editor Jim Malewitz about what the state can learn from its response to the misnamed “Spanish flu” pandemic of 1918. Wisconsin limited deaths through statewide stay-at-home measures a century ago, although some cities, including Oshkosh and Neenah, reopened early — with deadly results. More than 8,400 Wisconsinites died in the 1918 pandemic, which killed roughly 675,000 across the United States.
We also spotlight a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story about the benchmarks Gov. Tony Evers says Wisconsin must meet before gradually reopening the economy. Some are still unclear.
Top Stories
Wisconsin’s pandemic past offers clues to its coronavirus future — Wisconsin Watch
A week after Evers unveiled a plan to reopen, there’s little clarity on benchmarks like what metrics to monitor — Journal Sentinel
Brown County coronavirus cases surge past 800 as OSHA investigates more facilities — Green Bay Press-Gazette
Trump to order meat plants to stay open as worker deaths rise — POLITICO
‘Anecdotal evidence is overwhelmingly positive’: Nearly 2,600 COVID-19 patients in the U.S. have been treated with plasma — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Gov. Tony Evers directs DNR to reopen state parks, forests under special conditions — TMJ4
Aspirus doctor on leave after attending Open Wisconsin rally says he’s target of harassment — Wausau Daily Herald
FEMA working with state to deliver supplies for COVID-19 response but barriers remain — WPR
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Government updates
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention
Live updates
Live coverage from USA Today-Wisconsin reporters
Live coverage from Wisconsin State Journal reporters
Quotable
“Identifying those individuals who have that exposure and making sure that they’re staying away from other folks — that can really go a long way in containing the spread of disease. It is definitely essential work, and we’ll see more as testing increases in the next couple of weeks, which is why we’ve added on other individuals to our team.”
Local public health nurse Caitlin Gutierrez explains her contribution to contact tracing efforts in Dane County, as quoted by The Cap Times.
Data to note
Gov. Tony Evers last week announced a program to reopen the economy in phases if certain criteria are met. Here is a look at four areas where Evers says progress is needed, alongside improvements in testing and contact tracing (As you can see, Evers has yet to announce criteria related to hospital capacity.)
And here is a look, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, at the state’s progress toward the third goal listed: to have a downward trajectory over 14 days in the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests. The trend is slightly increasing.
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.
Wisconsin farmers find new ways to connect to customers during pandemic — WPR
From our partners at the Wisconsin State Journal:
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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.
