COVID-19 Update

On March 13, 2020, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued orders to stop mass gatherings of 250 or more people across the county to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This order has been updated to include places of worship and religious gathering centers of over 250 people, effective March 14, 2020 at 4:00pm.

“Limiting large gatherings of people is an important tool to prevent the spread of illness. We would like to thank all the places of worship who have taken measures to protect their patron’s health and safety regardless of gathering size,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County.

Public Health has statutory authority to protect the health of the community and could limit gatherings even more in the future.

At this time, for gatherings with fewer than 250 attendees, Public Health Madison & Dane County strongly recommends the following precautionary steps:

• Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions that are at increased risk of COVID-19 are encouraged not to attend (including employees);
• Social distancing recommendations should be met (limit contact of people within 6 feet from each other for 10 minutes or longer);
• Proper hand hygiene and sanitation available to all attendees and employees;
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest information, visit the CDC’s coronavirus website , the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website , or the Public Health Madison & Dane County coronavirus page.

This order will increase social isolation for many residents.  I encourage you to think of ways you can reach out to your neighbors, safely and effectively. We are in this together.

Additional thoughts...

If you are a smoker, there is no time like the present to quit. Back when I smoked a pack a day, I regularly had bronchitis. When I quit, my lungs immediately began to heal and now I rarely get a serious chest cold. COVID-19, from what I understand, manifests itself primarily as a respiratory disease. It makes total sense, therefore, to get some nicotine gum or patches and quit. If you do get infected, having healthy lungs will make a difference.

In this season of social distancing, it's going to be very challenging for local restaurants. I understand if you don't wish to patronize in person, but you can still do a carry-out or delivery order.  And please don't forget to include a generous tip!

There will be many opportunities to assist those for whom the outbreak is creating tremendous hardship. Many of you have expressed a desire to be a helper in these troubled times.  Many non-profits are mobilizing.  Below is a call for help from Robin Sereno, executive director of the Tenant Resource Center. I'll be posting more opportunities for you to help out on a regular basis.  

Here's Robin--

I am calling on my network to provide immediate support for our most vulnerable community members. Today, I had to cancel our Spring fundraiser (The Iron Chef 2020) out of concern for safety - this was a difficult decision. However, there is so much work to be done by our team. We have already seen an increase in calls for eviction prevention assistance - yes, even with the courts closed. We need your help. We need financial support, we need food, we need bus passes, food cards and gas cards, we need child care. We need you to show up in ways that you probably never have before. If you have a dime to spare or time to spare please consider helping out. Check on your neighbors. Check on the elderly and the young. We've got to come together as a community to be a community. Please consider supporting the TRC's Eviction Prevention Clinic -- Housing Justice for All!

https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/donate

Be well. Be strong.

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