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Credit: Claire DeRosa / Wisconsin Watch

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“Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who has described the massive stimulus package as unnecessary, said he plans to force a full reading of the 700 to 800 page document, which could take 10 hours,” Riley Vetterkind reports. “He said he also plans to work with his Republican colleagues to introduce a litany of amendments to the bill to force lengthy votes and more debate on the legislation, a procedure he called a ‘vote-a-rama.’” 

“I’m going to lead the effort to resist it,” Johnson told 1310 WIBA radio.

Credit: Office of U.S. Senator Ron Johnson

Top Stories 

Ron Johnson pledges to set up road blocks for $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief billWisconsin State Journal 

‘When will it end?’: How a changing virus is reshaping scientists’ views on COVID-19Reuters 

DWD begins paying Pandemic Unemployment Insurance extensionWPR 

CDC delays release of guidelines easing restrictions for vaccinated AmericansUSA TODAY 

COVID-19 vaccination for Dane County educators moved up to March 9Wisconsin State Journal 

Kenosha hospitals, nursing facilities revise visitor policiesKenosha News 

Madison teachers hold ‘teach-out’ to protest district’s return to in-person learningWisconsin State Journal 

Clearing the air: Answering commonly asked questions about the coronavirus vaccineMilwaukee Neighborhood News Service 

Two Eau Claire County National Guard COVID-19 testing sites closing soonWEAU 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.

Quotable

“I woke up this morning so excited that it was vaccination day. … We’ve been waiting for this. I can finally go see my parents again soon.”

Eileen Marshall, Portage Community School District librarian, speaking to the Portage Daily Register

Data to note

Here’s a look at the Department of Health Services’ vaccine dashboard, which showed Wednesday that 58.3% of Wisconsinites ages 65 and older have gotten at least one dose — as have 16.9% of the state’s overall population. Racial disparities persist in distributing vaccines. The shares of Black, Hispanic and Native American residents to receive a dose remain significantly below that of white residents. The disparity between Native Americans and white residents, however, has narrowed in recent weeks.   

Public health officials continue to urge Wisconsinites to wear masks and practice physical distancing until vaccinations are more widely distributed. 

DHS reported 12 new deaths and 677 new infections Thursday. WisContext offers this visualization of Wisconsin COVID-19 infections and deaths. Wisconsin’s seven-day average for daily infections was 522 on Thursday, hovering around levels from early July.   

Wisconsin’s total COVID-19 death toll sits at 6,470.

Find a vaccine site near you

DHS has this interactive map of vaccine providers across Wisconsin. Vaccinations are generally by appointment only and it may take time to schedule appointments with providers due to limited supplies of vaccines. 

Have vaccine questions? You can call the state’s hotline at 844-684-1064.  

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

Weeks after the pandemic triggered a statewide shutdown, Christine’s Kitchens launched an online store to help vendors whose usual venues had vanished, and to meet the growing appetite for delivery service. Credit: Ruthie Hauge / Cap Times

Christine’s Kitchens offers food entrepreneurs a pandemic lifeline Cap Times 

School meals have been free to all students during the pandemic. Some want to see that continue past COVID-19 WPR 

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