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Election day is fast approaching in Wisconsin, and the coronavirus pandemic leaves it in complete disarray. Today we highlight a story by The Guardian’s Sam Levin, reported in collaboration with Wisconsin Watch, about the electoral chaos — from fearful and overwhelmed election workers to changing deadlines that could lead to widespread confusion.
Top Stories
‘Over our heads in chaos’: Wisconsin election in flux amid pandemic fears — The Guardian/Wisconsin Watch
‘Will I bring it home today?’ Essential workers share their COVID-19 stories — Milwaukee Neighborhood News
UW-Madison student recovering from ‘dehumanizing’ COVID-19 sounds alarm to young adults — Wisconsin State Journal
Some basics on applying for unemployment benefits — and why you should apply right now — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
State ag officials warn farmers that milk dumping could harm the environment and result in fish kills — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
What to do if someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19. Expert answers your questions — WPR
Why aren’t you seeing how many Wisconsin residents recovered from coronavirus? Because ‘it would be a guess,’ state says. — Appleton Post-Crescent
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
U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention
Live updates
Live blog from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and USA Today-Wisconsin reporters
Photos from the Wisconsin State Journal show how the virus affects Wisconsin
Live blog from Wisconsin Public Radio reporters.
Quotable
“I think the important thing right now is to find laughter and levity in kind of the darkest of times or the weirdest of times, because at the end of the day, I think that’s just kind of part of the human condition is you need to laugh no matter what.”
Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens, who has been posting videos from his “Quarantine Kitchen,” as quoted by the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Stats to note
Milwaukee, home to around 300,000 registered voters, will have just five election day polling locations on Tuesday, instead of the usual 180. It’s not clear where they will be or who will staff them. The city usually requires 1,400 poll workers, but had just 400 earlier this week, according to reporting by The Guardian.
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.
Gov. Tony Evers and Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm on Friday announced the new “Resilient Wisconsin” initiative “provide tools and resources to Wisconsinites dealing with stress and mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Community Heroes: Metcalfe Park organizers go digital with mass-texting and mutual aid during COVID-19 crisis — Milwaukee Neighborhood News
In shadow of COVID-19, Holy Week like none other for Madison-area faith community — Wisconsin State Journal
From the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs:
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThis week, members at the Veterans Home at Union Grove captured these photo messages for their loved ones. While they miss visits from friends and family during Wisconsin’s #SaferAtHome order, they are safe and staying healthy at the veteran’s home! #WisVets #HowWiHelp pic.twitter.com/NwvDYjbaeF
— Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (@WisVets) April 2, 2020
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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.
