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Today we highlight the Cap Times’ deep dive into why Wisconsin labs are still unable to test for COVID-19 at their reported capacity — a key issue as state leaders decided how and when to reopen the economy. Gov. Tony Evers has announced a goal of 12,000 tests a day, far more than the roughly 2,000 daily tests the state is currently conducting, Katelyn Ferral reports. She also notes several categories of information Evers’ administration has kept secret.
“DHS will not disclose the labs with whom they have contracted, which include some from out of state, nor break down the numbers of each type of lab, whether commercial labs, in-house hospital labs or government labs. There is also no information on the website about how much testing each lab is currently doing,” Ferral reports.
Top Stories
State labs could test more COVID-19 samples but supply shortage hampers efforts — The Cap Times
Federal government orders 100,000 new body bags as Trump minimizes death toll — NBC News
Gov. Tony Evers considering using some COVID-19 money for aid payments to farmers — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As more Wisconsinites leave home, health experts warn against ending social distancing — WPR
‘You can see the fear written all over them’: Two Milwaukee-based respiratory therapists talk about what it’s like on the front lines — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin businesses urge lawmakers to pass ‘Back to Business’ plan — Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin tribes take issue with native corporations that are eligible for $8B coronavirus relief — WPR
Burlington mayor rebukes ‘Re-Open Burlington’ protest planned for Saturday — Kenosha News
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 coverage from USA Today-Wisconsin reporters
Live coverage from Wisconsin State Journal reporters
Quotable
“It’s like being in a swimming pool and having one area of the pool that it’s OK to pee in.”
Jim Conway, an infectious disease expert and associate director for health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Global Health Institute, arguing against loosening COVID-19 restrictions regionally. Conway was quoted by USA Today-Wisconsin reporters who noted expert opinions differ on the issue.
Data to note
A team of infectious disease experts expects the COVID-19 pandemic to last 18-24 months, and it “won’t be halted until 60% to 70% of the population is immune.” That is according to a report released Friday by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
“The key message of this report is that the COVID-19 pandemic likely will not end anytime soon, if any of the scenarios we have outlined come to pass,” Michael Osterholm, the center’s director, said in a news release. “We need to be prepared to deal with this pandemic and its ‘aftershocks’ for 18 months or more. It’s also likely that the virus will remain with us once the pandemic is over—likely in a less severe form and following more of a seasonal pattern.”
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.
‘This is for you, baby’: Police, fire and more put on parade for 13-year-old girl in hospice — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Virtual meditation to help kids cope with COVID-19 isolation — WTMJ-TV
Local organization going door-to-door delivering children’s books for free — WTMJ-TV
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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.
