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Gov. Tony Evers said his original March 24 “Safer at Home” order has worked to slow the spread of coronavirus, but “we aren’t out of the woods yet.” So on Thursday he extended the order until May 26.
We also highlight an important story from the Journal Sentinel and USA Today Network reporters. Wisconsin, unlike other states, refuses to disclose basic information about coronavirus diagnoses or deaths in nursing homes, making some family members of residents anxious.
Today we highlight stories in which local and national experts warn that some form of social distancing may need to continue for weeks, months — even years — to keep the coronavirus pandemic at bay. Meanwhile, Gov. Tony Evers signals that his Safer at Home order closing schools and non-essential businesses and services — scheduled to end April 24 — will likely be extended.
Today we highlight a Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Watch report on the struggles of rural emergency medical services — already strapped for cash and short on volunteers — to secure personal protective equipment for first responders.
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Assembly met in person — and virtually — to pass a COVID-19 relief bill aimed at supplementing $2 billion in expected federal government aid.
Read on to see a photo of the tiniest victory party and shortest acceptance speech following Wisconsin’s April 7 pandemic election. Results were (finally) posted on Monday.
Let the counting begin. Following nearly a week of chatter about Wisconsinites who could not vote on April 7, clerks on Monday began tallying the votes successfully cast during the chaos. The clerks started at 4 p.m., a time stipulated by a court order. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is tracking live election results, offering handy maps and charts.
Portrait of a pandemic — in pictures and words
Researchers expect Wisconsin hospitals to hit peak demands within the next few weeks of the pandemic. Today we highlight Parker Schorr’s deep dive inside a Madison COVID-19 ward. Schorr, a Cap Times fellow embedded in the Wisconsin Watch newsroom, interviewed three ICU nurses who described being overwhelmed by anxiety while running short on protective gear. But they also saw reasons for hope.
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. Gov. Evers on Thursday ordered 40 state parks closed, along with some forests and recreational areas, reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Public health experts conclude that Tuesday’s election was a “disaster” for Wisconsin’s curve-flattening quest. Also, one scientific group predicts what the curve might look like in Wisconsin’s hospitals.
To say almost anything about Wisconsin’s pandemic-era election would be an understatement. So we will let our coverage, and the top stories from our indefatigable media partners, speak for itself. The election is far from over, particularly since a court order says results cannot be released until 4 p.m. Monday.
Wisconsin forged ahead with in-person voting Tuesday, after the state Supreme Court overturned Gov. Evers’ order delaying the election due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here are scenes and dispatches of Tuesday’s historic Election Day from around the state. This story will be updated throughout the day on Tuesday, April 7.
Just when you thought Wisconsin’s election couldn’t get any more chaotic, Monday happened. Eighteen hours before Tuesday’s polls were set to open, Gov. Tony Evers ordered the election postponed until June 9 — an effort to protect voters from a worsening viral pandemic. Republicans called the move unconstitutional and instantly challenged the order in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The court’s conservative majority agreed, reinstating voting for Tuesday.
Door County, health care workforce, medical debt lawsuits, F-35 challenge, newspaper woes
Election day is fast approaching in Wisconsin, and the coronavirus pandemic leaves it in complete disarray. Today we highlight a story by The Guardian’s Sam Levin, reported in collaboration with Wisconsin Watch, about the electoral chaos — from fearful and overwhelmed election workers to changing deadlines that could lead to widespread confusion.
