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In Wisconsin, even small gatherings this holiday season can carry a big risk of contracting coronavirus, according to a new nationwide tool that estimates the danger by the size of gathering and where it is held. WPR’s Rob Mentzer found that in Marathon County, for example, there is a 97% chance that a gathering of 50 people would include at least one person with COVID-19. “It’s a way of empowering people to make decisions that are informed by data, and start to think about what levels of risk are acceptable to them,” said Mallory Harris, a Stanford University doctoral student who worked on the project.
Top Stories
Tool shows Wisconsin gatherings mean high risk of COVID-19 exposure — WPR
Wisconsin Supreme Court hears arguments as it decides fate of Evers’ COVID-19 policies — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2nd virus vaccine shows striking success in US tests — Associated Press
Rural hospitals having difficulty finding beds for COVID-19 patients — WPR
Rock County reinstates Phase One COVID-19 restrictions as cases rise — Wisconsin State Journal
Different virus responses — The New York Times (The Morning newsletter)
Midwest schools scramble as COVID-19 surge sweeps region — Lee Enterprises
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Quotable
“I agree with Governor Evers that our success in fighting the virus rests on individual responsibility. Once again, I encourage everyone to adhere to CDC guidelines: wear a mask, socially distance, frequently wash your hands, follow local restrictions and stay home as much as possible.”
— Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, in a newsletter to constituents
“Let’s tell our leaders to get together virtually and do their jobs. This virus is called the novel coronavirus for a reason. This is uncharted territory. We are learning more about it every day, and we need to be flexible and adaptable. Don’t forget about the frontline workers and health care heroes. The best way to show support is by wearing a mask and hunkering down.”
— Ani Weaver, of Dodgeville, a registered nurse who works in Madison, writing for the Wisconsin State Journal
Data to note
WisContext offers these visualizations of Wisconsin’s startling trends in COVID-19 infections, deaths and hospitalizations.
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.
‘Unprecedented’ pace of COVID-19 drug development pushing Madison companies to expand — Wisconsin State Journal
MMSD more than triples weekly food distribution from spring with more sites, bus delivery — Cap Times
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.
