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Today we highlight stories related to Wisconsin’s efforts to “flatten the curve” — to slow the pace of coronavirus infections before hospitals and other systems become overwhelmed. First up: Say so long for now to some of your favorite open spaces. Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday ordered 40 state parks closed, along with some forests and recreational areas. He made the move “due to unprecedented crowds, litter, vandalism and out of an abundance of caution to protect public health and safety and help flatten the curve.”
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has that full story. The newspaper also offers public health experts’ consensus on Tuesday’s election — that it was a “disaster” for Wisconsin’s curve-flattening quest.
Read on in this update for one scientific group’s projection of what the curve might look like in Wisconsin’s hospitals.
Top stories
Evers closes 40 state parks including Devil’s Lake and Kettle Moraine State Forest — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In-person voting was likely a ‘disaster’ for Wisconsin’s efforts to flatten coronavirus curve, national experts say — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Tony Evers and GOP clash over COVID-19 legislation that would empower budget committee to cut spending — Wisconsin State Journal
People In Wisconsin are being arrested, charged for violating stay-at-home order — WPR
Wisconsin DOC says it doesn’t know how 3 more prisoners contracted COVID-19 — Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin schools had more than $1.6B on Tuesday’s ballot, but results are still a ways away — WPR
Some voters turned away by a ‘do not enter without a mask’ sign at Ellington polling site — Appleton Post-Crescent
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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
Live blog from Wisconsin Public Radio reporters.
Quotable
“Today marks the 21st day wearing the same N95. Two weeks in the ED, numerous COVID patients, same mask. These are normally single use.”
Mariah Clark, a University of Wisconsin Hospital nurse, via Twitter.
Stats to note
COVID Act Now, a national model run by volunteer scientists, aims to predict when U.S. hospitals will become overwhelmed with patients from the pandemic under various scenarios. Here’s its latest look:
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.
As coronavirus forces Wisconsin to isolate, support groups for those in recovery have found new connections online — Appleton Post-Crescent
14 resources to help you financially weather the COVID-19 storm — Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Posted on reddit:
Taken outside Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital from r/milwaukee
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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.
