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As protests of police brutality against black people continue to grip the country following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, some police forces — including in Madison and Milwaukee — have leaned on the firing of throat-stinging tear gas to disperse crowds.
Public health experts are warning that the tactic increases the risk of respiratory ailments such as COVID-19, Mike Baker reports for The New York Times.
“Along with the immediate pain that can cause watering eyes and burning throats, tear gas may cause damage to people’s lungs and make them more susceptible to getting a respiratory illness, according to studies on the risks of exposure,” Baker reports. “The gas can also incite coughing, which can further spread the virus from an infected person.”
Top Stories
Corrosive effects of tear gas could intensify coronavirus pandemic — The New York Times
Facing coronavirus losses, UW System wants special legislative session for line of credit, early fall semester — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
COVID-19 milestone: 1 out of 1,000 in county have tested positive — Green Bay Press-Gazette
Portage, Baraboo police see impact of COVID-19 shutdown on mental health — Baraboo News Republic
Milwaukee firefighters expected to soldier on during COVID-19 pandemic — WTMJ-TV
Protesting in a pandemic: Wear masks, wash hands, get tested — The Cap Times
Coronavirus shines light on US supply Chain. Here’s how Wisconsin-based schneider has been affected — WPR
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
Quotable
“My dad and my mom are in meetings like 24 by seven almost. And my sister’s too young to help me with my work. My mom is much more tense than she wants us to see. Usually she would try to finish everything at her office. Now I see that she has much more work. My dad — he has free time, so he constantly checks on me and my sister. But my mom, she is usually locked up in her room for most of the day.”
Aadya, a third grader at Madison Country Day School, speaking to WPR’s Wisconsin Life about school during the pandemic.
Data to note
The Racine metro area is the nation’s fourth fastest-growing hotspot for COVID-19 deaths, according to The New York Times. Racine has seen 22 recent deaths, and deaths as of Wednesday were on pace to double every 12.2 days, according to the newspaper’s ongoing analysis. Racine is behind just 11 communities on another measure: “metro areas with the greatest number of recently announced cases and deaths, relative to their population.”
Our partners at WisContext offer this statewide visualization of known COVID-19 cases and deaths per capita.
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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.
Showing off Milwaukee’s beautiful, resilient Class of 2020 — Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Slideshow: Sturgeon Bay’s Drive-up Graduation — Door County Pulse
Wauwatosa mother creates face masks modified for those deaf or hard of hearing — CBS 58
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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.
