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On February 5, 2020 the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced the first known case of COVID-19 in Dane County. The infected person had recently traveled to Dane County from China and was now in isolation at home. Photo from Stat News -
The United States Health Department issues a list of countries that Americans should quarantine if they return from them including Italy and China.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/which-countries-to-avoid-during-spread-of-coronavirus
Photo by https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html -
On March 12, 2020, Gov. Evers shared a press release declaring a public health emergency in Wisconsin due to rising COVID-19 cases.
There had been 5 new cases announced in Wisconsin and increasing cases in neighboring Minnesota and Illinois. Evers signed Executive Order #72 which directs the Department of Health Services to take all necessary measures while responding to COVID-19.
Photo from AP News
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/280ac92 -
Officials from the Public Health Department Madison and Dane County issued the first COVID-related order in the state of Wisconsin, banning gatherings of over 250 people. On March 14, 2020, this was updated to say that these restricted gatherings included religious events. Photo from https://www.wpr.org/evers-bans-crowds-50-or-more-number-covid-19-cases-rises-47 -
Photo by NBC News -
Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor Madison, announced that large gatherings would be banned effective immediately to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by https://www.channel3000.com/dane-county-bans-mass-gatherings-of-more-than-50-people-imposes-other-public-health-measures/ -
In response to the worsening pandemic, Gov. Evers announces the closure of all K-12 schools. Photo from https://www.nbc15.com/content/news/Evers-orders-all-Wisconsin-schools-to-close-in-response-to-coronavirus-568782281.html -
To combat the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Evers announced that bars will close at 5 p.m., and restaurants will only be open for take-out and delivery statewide. Evers issued a Twitter statement that said "I know what this means for our business community and the struggle they and their workers will face in the coming weeks. We are committed to being a partner to you to ensure we are doing everything we can to assist during these uncertain times." http://wingworldmag.com/road-trips/sights-sounds/ -
This plan details the phased reopening of businesses, “We, like many in our county, are eager for economic stability in our community. We also know that slowing the spread of COVID-19 is critical in order to keep people safe and protect our hospital systems," said Dane County Executive Parisi. https://wkow.com/2020/06/09/sauk-co-to-remain-in-phase-1-of-reopening-dane-co-to-announce-decision-friday/ -
The "Foward Dane" plan is announced to help businesses and Dane County move into a safe COVID recovery. Photo https://publichealthmdc.com/documents/2020-06-02_forward_dane.pdf -
To help combat the economic struggles of Madison businesses the city of Madison announces the "Steatery" Restaurant Relief Program, which allows restaurants in Madison to expand their outdoor dining onto the streets and parking lots of Madison. All businesses must comply with social-distancing guidelines but are allowed to open outdoors.
https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/madison-announces-streatery-restaurant-program Rendering courtesy of the City of Madison -
Public Health Madison and Dane County announce a new order requiring the wearing of masks and face coverings indoors. People in Madison started the trending hashtags, #MaskUpMadison and #MaskUpDaneCounty to increase the spread of the new order. These hashtags are an effort to encourage people to wear masks and decrease the spread of COVID-19. https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/public-health-madison-dane-county-releases-new-orders-requiring-face-coverings Photo credit: UW-Madison Twitter -
This plan limits the amount of business a restaurant can do which can cause them to struggle even more because they have to pay to stay open, while not making regular profits to sustain themselves. Photo https://www.walmart.com/ip/Public-Safety-Sign-Notice-Business-Open-At-25-Capacity-Vinyl-Decal-Protect-Your-Business-Municipality-Home-Colleagues-Made-in-the-USA/389948014 https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-supreme-court-hears-challenge-covid-19-order-limiting-bar-restaurant-capacity-0 -
The City of Madison has introduced a hotline where business owners can call and receive financial advising to deal with the problems caused by COVID-19. The hotline allows Madison residents to connect with a financial advisor about how to save, spend and control their finances. The hotline is free to all Madison residents. The hotline is to be open for one year, due to a large grant. Photo: City of Madison https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/city-of-madison-launches-financial-resources-hotline -
Dane County announces a Community Block Grant program that allows businesses to apply for financial assistance through the annual competitive application process. The program has more than $1.76 million available. Image by City of Madison via official website
https://cdbg.countyofdane.com/ -
On November 20, Public Health Madison updated this issue, now saying that gatherings are limited to people who live within the same household. https://www.publichealthmdc.com/blog/public-health-madison-dane-county-issues-new-emergency-order-10#:~:text=We%20are%20putting%20out%20new,teammates%E2%80%94in%20an%20indoor%20space. Photo https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-bans-crowds-10-or-larger-order-bars-and-restaurants-closed -
Businesses are required to limit capacity to 50% of approved capacity levels. They also must develop and implement a written hygiene policy and procedure that
includes ensuring employees who have a fever or other symptoms of
COVID-19 will not be allowed to work, establishing hand-washing expectations and ensuring supplies are available to employees, and describing proper cough and sneeze etiquette. https://publichealthmdc.com/documents/2020-12-15_Order_11.pdf Photo Macleans.ca -
The first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are starting to be given to frontline healthcare personnel not affiliated with a healthcare system, hospital, or long-term care facility in phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan.
Photo by Coburn Dukehart for the Wisconsin State Journal
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-data.htm -
Public Health announces a new order allowing for larger groups to begin to gather both indoors and outside. Up to 10 people can gather indoors wearing masks, and 50 outside with social distancing. Photo by Public Health Madison
https://twitter.com/PublicHealthMDCref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1348708446984687617%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.channel3000.com%2Fdane-county-issues-new-public-health-order-increases-outdoor-gathering-limits%2F -
Public Health Madison and Dane County announce that businesses can begin to reopen at 50% capacity due to a positive trend in COVID-related conditions throughout the county. Taverns are also allowed to reopen, but with some restrictions.
https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/public-health-releases-new-measures-for-assessing-progress-order-14 Photo by https://www.amazon.com/Public-Safety-Sign-Heavy-Gauge-Municipality/dp/B089QR7GW4