%
>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS
A
%
PBS WISCONSIN
ORIGINAL%PRODUCTION.
%>>
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
%TONIGHT
ON "HERE AND
NOW," ON
%THE
FRONT
LINES,
GOVERNOR TONY
%EVERS IS
HERE
WITH THE
LATEST
%ABOUT WHAT'S
HAPPENING
IN
%WISCONSIN,
AS
COVID-19
CASES
%CONTINUE TO
RISE.
%THEN WE'LL
GET
MEDICAL
ANSWERS
%FROM
STATE
EPIDEMIOLOGIST
%DR. RYAN
WESTERGAARD.
%IT'S "HERE AND NOW"
FOR
%MARCH 20.
%>>
FUNDING
FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
%PROVIDED BY
THE
FOCUS
FUND
FOR
%JOURNALISM AND
FRIENDS
OF PBS
%WISCONSIN.
%
♪
%>>
TONIGHT, THE
LATEST
COVID-19
%NUMBERS.
%206
CASES
HAVE
BEEN
CONFIRMED IN
%THE
STATE
WITH THREE
DEATHS.
%THERE
I
S
COMMUNITY
SPREAD IN THE
%COUNTIES
OF
MILWAUKEE,
DANE,
%BROWN,
KENOSHA,
AND
COLUMBIA.
%MANY OF
YOU
HAD
QUESTIONS YOU
%WANTED TO
ASK
OUR
GUEST
S TONIGHT
%AND
WE
INCORPORATE
THEM.
%IN A
REDUCED
STUDIO
FOOTPRINT
TO
%LIMIT STAFF
AND
ALS
O
NOT
BRING
%GUESTS
INTO
OUR
SPACE,
W
E
ARE
%JOINED
NOW,
VIA
SKYPE,
BY
%GOVERNOR TONY
EVERS.
%GOVERNOR, WE WANT
TO THANK
YOU
%VERY MUCH FOR
JOINING
US.
%>>
THANK
YOU,
FREDERICA.%>>
FIRST,
WHAT
MESSAGE
WOULD
YOU
%
LIKE
T
O
GIVE
THE
PEOPLE
OF
%WISCONSIN
TONIGHT?
%>>
GREAT
QUESTION.
%FIRST OF
ALL,
AS
I'M
SURE
MOST
%OF
YOUR
VIEWERS
KNOW,
WE'VE
LOST%THREE
WISCONSINITES
TO
THE
%COVID-19
VIRUS.
%AND OUR
THOUGHTS
AND
PRAYERS
ARE
%OBVIOUSLY WITH
THAT
FAMILY,
AND
%THEIR FRIENDS
AND
RELATIVES.
%IT'S
A
TRAGEDY,
AND
IT'S
A
%PUBLIC
HEALTH
TRAGEDY,
TRAGEDY
%NONETHELESS, AND THE
OTHER THING
%I WANT
PEOPLE
T
O
KNOW IS
THAT
%OUR
HEALTHCARE
WORKERS,
WHETHER
%IT'S
EMERGENCY
RESPONDERS,
%
PEOPLE THAT
WORK
IN
HOSPITALS
%AND THE
CLINICS AND
S
O
ON
REALLY
%
NEED
OUR
SUPPORT NOW.
%THEY ARE
WORKING
24/7,
AND
UNDER
%REALLY
DIFFICULT
CIRCUMSTANCES.
%AND WHAT
WE
CAN
DO
AS
%WISCONSINITES IS
OBVIOUSLY PULL
%TOGETHER, AND I
FEEL
CONFIDENT
%ABOUT
THE
RESILIENCE
OF
%WISCONSINITES,
BUT
WE'RE
%ENCOURAGING PEOPLE
TO STAY AT
%HOME.
%THE WAY
WE
WILL
CONQUER
THIS
%VIRUS
IS
T
O
MAK
E
SURE
THAT
WE
%ARE
NOT
INFECTING
EACH
OTHER,
%AND ONE OF THE WAYS
WE
CAN
D
O
%THAT IS
OBVIOUSLY
AROUND
SOCIAL
%DISTANCING, BUT
THERE'S
ENOUGH
%REQUIREMENTS
AROUND
THA
T WE'VE
%DONE
T
HROUGH EXECUTIVE
ORDER,
%FRANKLY THERE'S NOT
MUCH
MORE
%PEOPLE CAN
DO
THAN STAY AT
HOME,
%SO STAY AT
HOME,
BE
SAFE,
KEEP
%THAT
DISTANCE,
AND
WE
CAN
BEAT
%THIS, BUT WE HAVE
TO
HAVE --
%THIS IS
SOMETHING THE
PEOPLE
OF
%
WISCONSIN CAN SOLVE.
%OBVIOUSLY WE'RE TRYING
TO
%SUPPORT
OUR
HEALTHCARE
WORKERS
%AS MUCH
AS
POSSIBLE,
BUT
I
F
WE
%DO THE
THINGS
THAT WE
KNOW WE
%HAVE
TO
DO,
HYGIENE,
MAKING
S
URE
%THAT WE
DON'T
INTERACT
WITH
%PEOPLE
THAT
ARE
SICK,
THAT
IF
%
WE'RE
SICK,
WE
CONNECT
WIT
H OUR
%DOCTORS, ALL
THOSE
THINGS
ARE
%COMMON SENSE THINGS
THAT
IF
WE
%DO
THIS,
WE
CAN
SOLVE
THIS
%PROBLEM.%>> OTHER
PLACES AS
YOU
KNOW
HAVE
%GONE TO
MORE
KIND
OF EXTREME
%SHELTER
IN
PLACE
ORDERS
WHERE
%EVERYONE
STAYS
INSIDE,
ALTHOUGH
%YOU SAY
THAT
MOSTLY WE'RE
%STAYING
INSIDE, BUT WHAT WOULD
%BE THE
TIPPING POINT FOR YOU
TO
%DECLARE
THAT
KIND
O
F
SOCIAL
%DISTANCING?%>> IT
WOULD
BE
DIFFICULT FOR
ME
%TO
GET
T
O
THAT POINT.
%I
THINK W
E
HAVE
ENOUGH
%CONSTRAINTS ON
PEOPLE'S
LIVES
%ALREADY THAT
I
THINK --
I
%BELIEVE WHAT WE
H
AVE
IN
PLACE
%WILL WORK.
%I
UNDERSTAND OTHER
PLACES
HAV
E
%DIFFERENT
NEEDS,
BUT
%WISCONSINITES ARE
PEOPLE
THAT
%CARE ABOUT
EACH
OTHER,
WE'RE
%GOOD
NEIGHBORS,
W
E
UNDERSTAND
%THAT WE
HAVE
AN
OBLIGATION
TO
%EACH
OTHER,
SO IT
WOULD
BE --
I
%HAVE
GREAT -- I
WOULD
HAVE
GREAT
%PROBLEMS
DOING
THE
SHELTER
IN
%PLACE.
%OBVIOUSLY IF WE'RE
DIRECTED TO
%DO
IT,
I'LL
FOLLOW THOSE
%DIRECTIONS, BUT FOR
ME,
I
THINK
%
WE HAVE
THE
ADEQUATE
PIECES
IN
%PLACE.%>> YOU
ADDED
SOME KIND
O
F
NEW
%CLARIFYING RULES AROUND
%CLOSURES, AND
RELEASED THEM%TODAY.
%WHAT ARE
THOSE?%>>
PRIMARILY
THEY'RE AROUND
%BEAUTY
SALONS,
BARBERS,
TATTOO
!
%TATTOO -- PLACES WHERE
YOU
GET
%TATTOOS.
%WE
BELIEVE
T
HAT
THOSE
CANNOT
%REMAIN
OPEN,
AND
SO
WE'VE
BANNED
%THOSE PLACES WILL
BE
CLOSING
AS
%OF THIS
AFTERNOON
.
%>>
HOW
CONCERNED ARE YOU
THAT
%PEOPLE
STILL ON THE
JOB
CAN
%MAINTAIN
SERVICES
FOR
THE
REST
%OF
US,
HEALTHCARE
WORKERS, OF
%COURSE, BUT
GROCERY
CLERKS
OR
%PHARMACISTS?
%>>
YEAH, I
T'S
ALL
GOING
TO
BE
%DIFFICULT.
%AGAIN, WE'VE
LOOKED
AT
EVERY
%POSSIBLE
SUPPLY CHAIN
THAT
%
EXISTS, WE'RE LEAVING
I
T
OPEN
%FOR
MANUFACTURERS
TO CONTINUE
%DOING THEIR
GOOD
WORK
AND
WE'RE
%BEING
AS
SUPPORTIVE AS W
E
CAN
TO
%MAKE SURE
THOSE
SUPPLY
CHAINS
BE
%IN PLACE.
%BUT YOU
KNOW,
WE'RE
OPERATING
%UNDER 3.5
O
R
3%
UNEMPLOYMENT
%
RATE, SO
THERE'S
NOT
MANY
SPARE
%PEOPLE
AROUND.
%AND
SO
W
E
ALWAYS
HAVE
CONCERN
%ABOUT THAT.
%BUT
I
THINK
PIECES
ARE
IN
PLACE
%THAT
OUR
FOOD
C
HAIN
IS
GREAT
IN
%THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN, WE KNOW
%THAT FOR
A
FACT,
SO
WE'RE
%CONTINUE
!
CONTINUALLY
INTERACTING
WITH
ALL
%THOSE FOOD
SUPPLY
CHAINS
TO
MAKE
%SURE THAT WE CAN
LIVE.
%>>
YOU SAI
D TODAY
THAT
THE
STATE
%NEEDS TO
TAKE
LEGISLATIVE ACTION%AND THAT YOU A
RE
WORKING
WITH
%LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO
DEVELOP
A
%PACKAGE.
%WHAT DO YOU
WAN
T TO
SEE
IN
THAT,
%AND WHEN
MIGHT
I
T
COME?
%>>
WELL,
I
CAN
ADDRESS
THE
%SECOND ONE MOST SPECIFICALLY.
%
THE
MEETINGS
WE'VE
HAD
THUS
FAR
%JUST
DISCUSSING GENERAL
PLACES
%WHERE
WE
HAVE
AGREEMENT.
%THIS
I
S
CLEARLY,
I
%THINK EVERYBODY THAT
WE'VE
B
EEN
%TALKING
TO
UNDERSTAND THAT
THIS%IS
A
BIPARTISAN
TIME,
ACTUALLY
%NON-PARTISAN TIME.
%
SO
I'M
NOT
A
T
LIBERTY TO TALK
%ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT
WE'RE
%
LOOKING
AT,
BUT
THERE
ARE
REALLY
%IMPORTANT
ISSUES TO
MAKE SURE
%THAT
THE
STATE
HAS
THE
%FLEXIBILITY
TO
REACT
TO
THI
S
%CRISIS.
%I BELIEVE AT THE END OF THE
DAY,
%WE'LL FIND
SOME
COMMON
GROUND
%AND WE'LL BE
BRINGING
%LEGISLATION FORWARD FOR
THE
%LEGISLATURE TO
CONSIDER.%>>
WHAT'S
BEING
DONE
NOW FOR
%HOURLY
WORKERS
WHO
UNDER CURRENT
%ORDERS HAVE
LOST
THEIR
JOBS
AND
%BUSINESSES
THAT
HAVE
SHUT
DOWN?%>>
YEAH,
EXACTLY.
%OUR DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE%
DEVELOPMENT
HAS
RAMPED
UP
THEIR
%UNEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE
ISSUE.
%WE'VE HAD
OBVIOUSLY
A
BIG
SPIKE
%IN
THAT.
%THROUGH EXECUTIVE
ORDERS,
WE'VE
%RELIEVED
SOME OF
THE
CONSTRAINTS
%WE HAV
E
AROUND
THAT,
S
O
WE
HAVE
%
NOW
THAT
99% OF
THE
PEOPLE CAN
%ACTUALLY
APPLY
FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
%COMPENSATION
INSURANCE
ONLINE,%WE'VE
BEEFED
UP
THE
FOLKS
THAT
%ARE
ANSWERING THOSE
QUESTIONS,
%SO
I
THINK THAT'S
IN A
GOOD
%PLACE.
%ON
THE
BUSINESS
SIDE, WE'VE
%
TASKED
OUR
WISCONSIN
ECONOMIC
%DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO
FOCUS
%ON SMALL
BUSINESSES,
FOCUS
ON
%FINDING
RESOURCES
TO
MAKE
SURE
%THAT
OUR SMALL
BUSINESSES,
OUR
%MAIN STREET
MERCHANTS
ARE
NOT
%HARMED
EAR
REB
!
IRREPARABLY,
S
O
THAT'S
%MISSY
HUGHES, UNDER SECRETARY IN
%THAT A
REA,
THAT
IS
HER
TASK
AND
%
SHE'S ALREADY
REACHED OUT
TO
%THOSE COMMUNITIES.
%
I PERSONALLY HAVE
MET
WITH
%BUSINESS
O
WNERS AND
OTHERS
%ACROSS
THE
STATE TO
FIND
OUT
%
WHAT THOSE
NEEDS
ARE,
BUT
%CLEARLY
IT'S
FINANCIAL, YOU
%KNOW, OUR
RESTAURANTS AND
BARS,
%AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT
IT,
WE
%HAVE A
STRONG
MANUFACTURING
%CLIMATE IN THE STATE OF
%WISCONSIN, BUT MOST
OF
OUR
%EMPLOYEES
IN
THE
STATE
ARE --
%WORK IN
THE
SERVICE
INDUSTRY,
%WHICH IS
REALLY
STRUGGLING NOW.
%SO WE'RE
GOING
T
O BE
WORKING ON
%THEM.%>>
WE
GOT
WORD THAT
A
PRISON
%EMPLOYEE
TESTED
POSITIVE
FOR
%COVID-19 AT
WAUPUN.
%SEVERAL
VIEWERS
WANTED
TO
KNOW
%WHAT
ACTIONS
THE
STATE I
S
TAKIN
G%TO
PREVENT
THE
SPREAD
INSIDE
%THESE
KIND
OF
ALREADY
%OVERCROWDED
INSTITUTIONS.%>>
YEAH,
ABSOLUTELY.
%AND WE'VE
HAD
THINGS
IN
PLACE
%NOW
FOR
SOME
WEEKS
IN
%PREPARATION
OF
THIS,
TO
MAKE
%SURE THAT
THE
PEOPLE
THAT
WERE
%RESPONSIBLE FOR
THOSE
%INSTITUTIONS ARE
SAFE
AND
THINGS
%ARE
WORKING
WELL
AND
WE'RE
%CONTINUING TO
PROVIDE FOOD AND
%FREE PHONE
CALLS
AND
THINGS LIKE
%THAT, BUT
YES,
THERE
WAS
A
N
%INDIVIDUAL
IN ONE
OF
OUR
%CORRECTIONAL
INSTITUTIONS WHO
%TESTED
POSITIVE,
WE'RE
NOW IN
%THE
PROCESS
OF
WORKING
THROUGH
%THAT
TO
SEE
WHICH
EMPLOYEES
WERE
%EXPOSED TO THA
T
AND
GETTING
THEM
%THE CARE
THE
Y
NEED AND
TO
FIND
%OUT
HOW
CLOSE IT IS
TO
THE
%PRISON
POPULATION.
%WE
DON'T --
I
DON'T
HAVE
THAT
%INFORMATION AT
THIS
TIME,
BUT
WE
%FEEL
IT'S A
GOOD
PLACE
WHERE
%IT'S
CONTAINED.%>> A
VIEWER
ASKED
THIS
QUESTION
%AS
WELL:
IF
HOSPITALS
GET
%OVERWHELMED, HAVE YOU
CONSIDERED
%RETROFITTING LARGE
SPACES
LIKE
%COUNTY
EXPO
CENTERS AS
KIND
OF
%FIELD
HOSPITALS?%>> WE'RE
RUNNING
THROUGH
EVERY
%POSSIBLE
SCENARIO.
%LOTS OF
PEOPLE
ARE
WORKING AT
%IT,
LOTS
OF
GOO
D
PEOPLE
FRO
M
OUR
%UNIVERSITIES AND
OTHERS
THAT
ARE
%HELPING
US
OUT
IN
EACH
TYP
E
OF
%SCENARIO, ABSOLUTELY.
%DORMITORIES MIGHT BE
USED
FOR
%QUARANTINES, AND WE
HAVE
THE
%ABILITY THROUGH
VARIOUS
%MECHANISMS TO
ACTUALLY
CREATE
%MORE BED
S
IF
WE
NEED
TO,
SO
DO
%WE
FEEL
THAT
WE'RE
ON
TOP
OF
%THIS?
%NO, BUT WE'RE
I
N
A
POSITION
THAT
%WE
FEEL
COMFORTABLE I
F
WE
HAVE
%THIS
SURGE,
MORE
PEOPLE
BEING
%HOSPITALIZED
AND
MORE
PEOPLE
%THAT NEED
QUARANTINES, THAT%WE'LL BE
IN A
GOOD
PLACE.%IN ADDITION TO
THAT,
WE'RE ALSO
%CONCERNED ABOUT OUR
HOMELESS
%POPULATIONS ACROSS
THE
STATE
%BECAUSE
THEY'RE
STRUGGLING TO
%BEGIN
WITH,
AND
SO
I'VE
BEEN
%WORKING WITH
MAYORS
T
O
MAKE
SURE
%
THAT
THEY
UNDERSTAND AND
%OBVIOUSLY THEY DO
OR
THEY
%WOULDN'T
BE --
THAT
WE'RE
%LOOKING FOR
PLACES
FOR
HOMELESS
%PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE
THAT
%ARE
STRUGGLING
WITH
HEALTHCARE
%ISSUES.%>> AS YOU
KNOW,
THERE
ARE GREAT
%CONCERNS ABOUT
WISCONSIN'S
%UPCOMING
ELECTION
ON
APRIL 7.
%ELECTION CLERKS THAT
W
E HAVE
%TALKED
TO
ARE
ALREADY
%OVERWHELMED WITH
THESE
ABSENTEE
%BALLOTS
AND
WORRY
ABOUT
ELECTION
%DAY
ITSELF.
%WHAT IF
THEY
GET
SICK
OR
THEIR
%STAFF.
%, WHAT SHOULD
HAPPEN.
%WOULD
YOU
FAVOR
DELAYING
THIS
%ELECTION?%>> NO, I
WOULDN'T.
%AND FIRST OF ALL,
I'M
NOT IN
THE
%POSITION TO
DELAY
IT.
%THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD
HAVE
%TO
HAVE
THE --
HAPPEN
%LEGISLATIVELY.
%BUT THE FACT OF THE
MATTER
IS,
%THIS PRIMARY
ELECTION
I
S
%PRIMARILY
A GENERAL
ELECTION,%GENERAL
ELECTION,
THE
ONLY
%PRIMARY
IS THE
PRESIDENTIAL ONE.
%THE
REST
ARE
LOCAL
AND
COUNTY
%RACES THAT NEED
T
O
BE
DECIDED OR
%
POSITIONS THAT ARE
MAKING
%IMPORTANT
DECISIONS
AROUND WHAT
%WE'RE
TALKING
ABOUT,
THERE
WON'T
%BE
PEOPLE
IN
THEM.
%SO,
A
, IT
MAKES
NO
SENSE
TO
%CANCEL
IT.
%I
UNDERSTAND THE
DIFFICULTY
BUT
%DEMOCRACY HAS TO
GO
ON.
%AND
THEN
THE SECOND PIECE
IS,
%FRANKLY, IF WE
MOVED IT
A
MONTH,
%
IF WE
MOVED
IT TWO
MONTHS,
THERE
%IS
ABSOLUTELY N
O
GUARANTEE
THAT
%IT
WOULDN'T
BE
A
S
COMPLEX
AS IT
%IS NOW.
%SO
OUR
MESSAGE
IS
QUITE
SIMPLE,%IF YOU
WANT
TO
DO
THIS,
YOU'RE
%NOT WILLING
TO GO TO
THE
POLLS,
%MYVOTE.WISCONSIN.GOV, YOU
CAN
%HAVE
AN
ABSENTEE
BALLOT SENT
TO
%YOU, YOU
CAN
PUT
IT IN THE
MAIL
%AND SEND I
T
IN.
%WE
HOPE
THAT
THE
VAST
MAJORITY
%OF PEOPLE WILL
DO
THAT.
%I'M WORKING
WITH
THE
MAYORS
%ACROSS THE
STATE TO
MAKE
SURE
GET
THE
POLL
WORKERS
IN
%PLACE AND
IT
WON'T
BE
EASY,
I'M
%NOT
SAYING
THAT
AT
ALL, BUT
WE
%NEED TO GET
THIS
ELECTION
IN IN
%ORDER
TO
LET
DEMOCRACY
CONTINUE,
%AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS
AND
COUNTY
%
GOVERNMENTS, AND WE'RE
IN A
GOOD
%
WAY.%>> WHAT
DO
YOU
NEED
MOST
NOW%FROM
THE
FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT?%>>
W
E
NEED --
WELL,
THE
GOOD
%NEWS
I
S
THAT ONE OF
THE
BEST
%THINGS
I
THINK
THE
FEDERAL
%ADMINISTRATION
DID
IS
THEY'VE
%KIND OF
PASSED
THE
BATON
FOR
W
E
NEED
TO
THE
%EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT PEOPLE AT
%THE
FEDERAL
AREA,
S
O
INSTEAD
OF
%EVERY
DAY
WONDERING WHAT'S
GOING
%TO B
E
DONE AT
A
PRESS
CONFERENCE
%IN
WASHINGTON, D.C.
AND
%RESPONDING TO
THAT, W
E
ACTUALLY
%HAVE PEOPLE
I
N
THEIR
REGIONAL
%AND LOCAL
AREAS
THAT
W
E
CAN
GET
%HELP.
%WE'VE ALREADY
GOT
SOME -- VERY%GOOD
NEWS, WE'RE
GETTING
SOME
%MORE
RESPIRATORS, WE'RE
GETTING
%SOME
MORE
MASKS, IN THE
HUNDREDS
%OF
THOUSANDS OF
MASKS.
%ALL THOSE
THINGS ARE GOOD.
%IT'S
NOT
ENOUGH,
WE
NEED
MORE,
%AND WE'RE
WORKING
WITH
LOCAL
%PEOPLE IN
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN%TO
GET
THAT
TO
HAPPEN
LOCALLY,
%BUT
THE
FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT
%
REALLY NEEDS
TO STEP
UP IN THE
%AREA OF
PROTECTION
EQUIPMENT AND
%MAKE SURE
THAT
WE
HAVE
ALL THE
%
TEST
ING
MATERIALS
THAT WE
NEED.
%>> AND
LASTLY
,
YOU'RE
A
FORMER
%TEACHER, GOVERNOR.%WHAT DO Y
OU
SAY
TO
OUR
CHILDREN?%>> YOU
KNOW,
THIS
IS
A
%MULTIFACETED CRISIS
THAT WE'RE
%HAVING HERE, SO W
E HAVE
TO
MAKE
%SURE
OUR
KIDS
ARE
SAFE, THAT
%THEY'RE
IN A
GOOD PLACE
AND
%WE'RE
ANSWERING THEIR
QUESTIONS
%
DIRECTLY.%>> WE
LEAVE I
T
THERE.
%GOVERNOR TONY
EVERS, THANKS VERY
%MUCH, AND
GOOD
LUCK.
%
>>
THANKS A
LOT,
FREDERICA
.
%>>
FOR
MORE ON
COVID-19
IN
%WISCONSIN AND
FROM "HERE AND
%NOW,"
VISIT
PBSWHICH.ORG STLI
%NEWS.
%EVEN AS WE
TRY
TO
SLOW ITS
%SPREAD.
%WE
HAVE MEDICAL
QUESTIONS
NOW
%FOR
STATE
EPIDEMIOLOGIST
%DR. RYAN
WESTERGAARD.
%HE
ALSO
JOINS
U
S
BY
SKYPE.
%DR. WESTERGAARD, THANK YOU VERY%
MUCH FOR JOINING
US.
%>>
THANK YOU
FOR
INVITING
ME.
%>>
W
E
KNEW
THERE
WOULD
BE
%
DEATHS, AS
THE
NUMBERS
OF
PEOPLE
%TESTING
POSITIVE
FOR
COVID-19
%CONTINUE TO
RISE,
BUT
WHAT
%SHOULD
WE
STEEL
FOR
IN
TERMS
OF
%MORE?%>> I THINK
THE
PICTURE
IS
%CONCERNING RIGHT NOW
BECAUSE
I
%THINK
WHAT
WE'VE
SEEN IN
THE
%DATA
BOTH THIS
WEEK IN
WISCONSIN
%AND
NATIONALLY IS THAT WE
REALLY
%SEEM TO
BE
AT
AN
ACCELERATION
%PHASE OF
THE
EPIDEMIC.
%WHERE WE'RE
SEEING
THE
NUMBER OF
%CASES INCREASE
DAY B
Y
DAY, AND
%WITH
THAT, WE
KNOW
THERE'S
A
%SUBSET OF PEOPLE WITH
SEVERE
%DISEASE OF
ALL
THE
PEOPLE
THAT
%GET
DIAGNOSED SO
I
THINK
WE
CAN
%EXPECT
INCREASED
NUMBERS OF
%DEATHS.
%
I THINK
THE
THINGS WE'RE
DOING
%TO
MITIGATE
THE
SPREAD OF
THE
%VIRUS IN
COMMUNITY IS
GOING
TO
%DETERMINE HOW MANY, BUT
%
CERTAINLY WE'RE GOING
TO SE
E%MORE IN
THE
COMING
WEEKS.%>>
PEOPLE
ARE, OF
COURSE,
VERY
%AFRAID, AND
WE
HEAR
CONFLICTING
%INFORMATION, BUT OF THE
MOST
A
T
%RISK
POPULATION, WHAT SHOULD
THE
%ELDERLY AND THOSE
WIT
H
%UNDERLYING
CONDITIONS BE
DOING
%RIGHT
NOW
?
%>>
I
THINK
IT'S
FOR
EVERYONE
BUT
%PARTICULARLY FOR PEOPLE WHO
ARE
%MEDICALLY
VULNERABLE
O
R
FRAGILE
%IS TO
STAY
HOME
AND
PREVENT
%
CONTACT WITH
OTHER
PEOPLE.
%IT'S
NOT
THE
KIND
OF
%RECOMMENDATION WE
LIKE
GIVING
%PEOPLE, BUT
AT
THIS
MOMENT,
WITH%A
VERY
CONTAGIOUS
VIRUS
%CIRCULATING IN THE
COMMUNITY,
%THE BEST
STRATEGY
WE
HAVE
T
O
FOR
%EVERYONE TO
STAY
I
N
PLACE,
AND
%ALSO WHEN YOU
ARE
OUT
IN
PUBLIC,
%
FOR
DOING
ESSENTIAL
THINGS,
BE
%VERY
VIGILANT
ABOUT
HYGIENE
AND
%SANITIZING
SURFACES.
%
THINGS THAT WE
ALL
KNOW
PREVENT
%THE
SPREAD
OF
GERMS
OUT I
N
%PUBLIC.%>>
WE
NOW
HEAR
THAT
YOUNGER
%PEOPLE
ARE
ALSO VERY MUC
H
AT
%RISK.
%HAS THAT
MESSAGING
CHANGED?
%>>
WELL,
IT
HASN'T
CHANGED
I
N
%THAT WE'VE
KNOWN FROM THE
%BEGINNING OF
THE
EPIDEMIC
IN
%CHINA THAT
YOUNG
PEOPLE
HAVE
%DEVELOPED
SEVERE
ILLNESS
AND
%SOME
HAVE
DIED.
%THE
RISK,
MEANING
THE PERCENTAGE
%OF PEOPL
E
WHO
HAVE
SEVERE
%ILLNESSES
I
N
AN
UNDER 50
OR
%UNDER 40 AGE GROUP
IS
QUITE
A
%BIT
LOWER.
%HERE IN THE
U.S.,
THE
DAT
A
THAT
%WE'VE
SEEN IN
THE
PAST
WEEK
%LOOKING AT
THE FIRST
SERIES
OF
%HOSPITALIZED
PATIENTS WAS THAT
%THE
MORTALITY
RATE
FOR
PEOPLE
%UNDER
AGE 50
WAS
LOWER,
OR
%
LESS, WHERE PEOPLE
IN
THEIR
%80s, IT WAS
AS
HIGH
AS
10%.
%SO
ALL
PEOPLE
ARE
AT
RISK OF
%BECOMING INFECTED WITH
THE
%
VIRUS.
%THE RISK OF
HAVING
SEVERE
%
COMPLICATIONS WHEN SOMEONE
IS
%INFECTED
VARIES
QUITE A
BIT
BY
%AGE.
%BUT I
THINK
THE
RISK --
THE
%MESSAGE FOR
EVERYONE IS THAT
I
F
%NO ONE
IS --
NO ONE
I
S IMMUNE
T
O
%THIS
VIRUS,
EVERYONE
CAN
BE
%INFECTED
AND
EVERYONE
HAS
THE
%RISK OF
GETTING QUITE
SICK.
%>>
WITH
YOU
VIEWER
!
ONE
VIEWER
ASKS,
I
WORK AT
A
%TARGET STORE.
%SHOULD I
BE
TAKING A
SHOWER
AND
%CHANGING
MY
CLOTHES AS SOON AS
I
%GET HOME?
%>>
I
DON'T
THINK SO.
%I THINK
THE
MOST
IMPORTANT
%MESSAGE
IS
COMES
FROM
HOW WE
%KNOW THESE
RES
PRY
TRI
VIRUSES
%GET SPREAD
AND
THAT'S
THROUGH
%RESPIRATORY
DROPLETS, SO
COUGHS
%AND
SNEEZES
BUT
ALS
O
TOUCHING
%CONTAMINATED SERVICES.
%PEOPLE IN
PUBLIC,
THE
MOS
T
%IMPORTANT THING RIGHT NOW IS
%WHAT WE'RE
REFERRING
TO
AS
%SOCIAL
DISTANCING,
SO
KEEPING
AT
%LEAST 6 FEET
O
F
SEPARATION FROM
%OTHER
PEOPLE.
%THE OTHER
THING
THAT'S
VERY
%IMPORTANT, AND I WOULD
SAY
%PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR
%VIEWERS WHO WORK
I
N PUBLIC
%SETTINGS, IS
HAND
HYGIENE.
%SO HAND
WASHING
WITH
HOT
W
ATER,
%ALCOHOL-BASED HAND
SANITIZER,%THE MORE THE
BETTER.
%SO THOSE
ARE
THE
REALLY
HIGHEST
%IMPACT
STRATEGIES
THAT EVERYONE
%SHOULD
IMPLEMENT IF YOU HAVE
TO
%BE
OUT
I
N
PUBLIC.%>>
SO
IS
IT
SAFE
TO
GO TO
THE
%GROCERY STORE
OR PICK
U
P
%TAKEOUT?%>>
YES,
I
THINK IT'S
SAFE
T
O
DO
%THAT
IF
PEOPLE
PAY
ATTENTION
TO
%TH
E
INFECTION
PREVENTION
THINGS
%THAT WE'RE
TALKING
ABOUT AND
%WE'RE
KNOWING
ABOUT.
%OVERALL,
THE
RESTRICTIONS
ON
%GATHERING ARE
REALLY
TO
REDUCE
%THE
PROBABILITY OF
GETTING
IN
%CONTACT WITH
THE
VIRUS
TO
AS
LOW
%AS IT
POSSIBLY
CAN
TO
SLOW
THE
%SPREAD IN THE
COMMUNITIES.
%CERTAINLY PEOPLE NEED T
O
GET
%THEIR
BASIC
NEEDS
MET,
I
F
PEOPLE
%
NEED TO BE
OUT
IN
PUBLIC,
NEED
%TO
GET
FOOD.
%SO
THERE'S RISK
TO
BEING
OUT IN
%THE
COMMUNITY
OF
INFECTIOUS%DISEASE
SPREADING,
BUT
WE
STILL
%ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO
MAKE SURE
%THAT THEY'RE
GETTING
ALL
OF
%THEIR NEEDS
MET
AND
DOING
THINGS
%LIKE GOING TO
THE
GROCERY
STORE.%
>>
EVEN
WITH HAND
WASHING AND
%CLEANING
AND
DISTANCING, SHOULD
%WE ALL
JUST ASSUM
E THAT
MOST OF
%US WIL
L
BE
INFECTED
WITH
THIS?%>>
WELL,
I
THINK THE
ANSWER
TO
%THAT
REALLY
DEPENDS
ON
HOW
WELL
%WE
EXECUTE THE
TYPES
O
F
THINGS
%THAT
WE'RE
RECOMMENDING.
%IT'S
CERTAINLY NOT
A
FOREGONE
%CONCLUSION THAT MOST OF
US
WILL
%BECOME
INFECTED,
BUT
THE
VIRUS
%IS
CONTAGIOUS
ENOUGH
THAT I
F
WE
%
DID
NOTHING, THE
POSSIBILITY OF
%THE
MAJORITY
O
F
PEOPLE
WOULD
%BECOME
EXPOSED
AND
INFECTED BUT
%WE
REALLY
BELIEVE
IF
WE
D
O
THESE
%RESTRICTIONS ON
GATHERING,
WE
%
FOCUS ON
HAND
HYGIENE
DURING
%THIS PERIOD OF
THE
EPIDEMIC
%WHERE IT'S
STARTING
TO
SPREAD
IN
%COMMUNITIES, WE
CAN
KEEP
THAT AS
%LOW AS
POSSIBLE.
%SO IT'S
REALLY
U
P
TO
US
ON
HOW
%WELL WE
KEEP
THESE
LESSONS
%AND --
HEED THESE
LESSONS.%>> DO
WE
HAVE
ENOUGH
ICU
BEDS
I
N
%WISCONSIN?%>> WE
DO.
%THAT'S
SOMETHING
WE'RE
ACTIVELY
%MONITORING.
%WE'RE
IN
COMMUNICATION
HERE AT%THE DIVISION
OF PUBLIC
HEALTH
%WITH
HOSPITALS
AROUND
THE
REGION
%TO KNOW
WHAT
THEIR
CAPACITY I
S
%UNDER
NORMAL
CIRCUMSTANCES AND
%WHAT THEIR
SURGE
CAPACITY
IS.
%SO
WE
HAVE
A
HANDLE
ON
THOSE
%NUMBERS AND
WE'RE
TRYING
TO
KEE
P
%IT
UPDATED IN
REALTIME.
%I WOULD
SAY
THAT
THE
BETTER
THAT
%BECOMES, WHETHER WE PUT
A
STRAIN
%ON
THOSE
RESOURCES, AGAIN,
%REALLY
DEPENDS
ON
HOW
WELL
WE
%EXECUTE
THESE PUBLIC
HEALTH
%INTERVENTIONS.%>>
ANOTHER
VIEWER
ASKS
I
F
%VENTILATORS GET TO
THE
CRITICAL
%SUPPLY
LEVEL,
HOW
WILL
I
T BE
%DETERMINED WHO
GETS
T
O
USE ONE?
%>>
AGAIN,
I'L
L
SAY
AGAIN
THE
%MOST
IMPORTANT
RESPONSE
T
O
THAT
%QUESTION IS
WHETHER
W
E
GET
TO
%THAT POINT,
REALLY
DEPENDS
ON
%
HOW WELL WE
CONTROL THE
SPREAD%OF THE
VIRUS.
%AND
THAT'S
SOMETHING
THAT'S
IN
%OUR YOAL.
% CONTROL.
%WE HAVE
A
FINITE
NUMBER
OF
%VENTILATORS IN THE
STATE.
%THERE
!
THEY
ARE
MANUFACTURING MORE
AND
%THERE'S ALSO
STRATEGIES THAT
%HEALTH
SYSTEMS ARE
DOING T
O
FREE
%UP
MORE
VENTILATORS, FOR
%EXAMPLE,
CANCELING
ELECTIVE
%SURGES
IN
OUTPATIENT
SETTINGS
SO
%WE HAVE
MORE.
%SO ALL
O
F
WHAT WE'RE
DOING
WHEN
%WE
TALK ABOUT
STOPPING
THE
%SPREAD IN THE
COMMUNITY, IT'S
%ALL
AIMED
A
T
THIS
HEALTH SYSTE
M
%CAPACITY
QUESTION, SO
WE WANT
TO
%AVOID
HAVING
TO
MAKE
THOSE
%REALLY
CHALLENGING DECISIONS
%ABOUT WHO
GETS
A
VENTILATOR AND
%WHO DOESN'T.
%NOW THAT
IS
POSSIBLE
,
THOSE
%STRATEGIES, WE
REALLY
TRY
TO
%FOCUS ON
DOING
THINGS THAT
ARE
%EQUITABLE AND
TRANSPARENT AND
%
HAVING
GUIDELINES THAT
EVERYBODY
%CAN
FOLLOW
AND
AGREE
TO,
S
O
SOME%OF THE
CONSIDERATIONS ARE SORT
%OF HOW
MUCH
BENEFIT
CAN
COME%FROM
THE
VENTILATOR
USE
,
MEANING
%PEOPLE THAT
ARE
HIGHLY
LIKELY
TO
%RECOVER WILL BE
OFFERED
%VENTILATORS.
%PEOPLE
WHO
ARE
MORE
GRAVELY ILL
%MIGHT BE
GIVEN A
SHORT-TERM
OF
A
%VENTILATOR TO SEE
I
F
THEY
%RESPOND AND
IN
SOME
CASES
WE
MAY
%
NEED TO
REALLY FOCUS
MORE
O
N
%PALLIATIVE CARE FOR
PATIENTS
%THAT DON'T SEEM TO
BE
%RESPONDING.
%SO THERE
ARE
DECISIONS
THAT
WE
%MAKE ALL
THE
TIME
IN
ICU
CARE,
%AND WE'LL JUST
HAVE
TO
BE
VERY
%DELIBERATE AND
VERY
OPEN
ABOUT
%
IF WE
GET
TO
THAT.
%BUT I
THINK
THE
MOST
IMPORTANT
%PRIORITY IS
THAT WE'RE
DOING
%EVERYTHING WE
POSSIBLY
CAN
TO
%PRESERVE OUR
HEALTH
SYSTE
M
%CAPACITY
TO
PROVIDE
ICU-LEVEL%
CARE
TO
EVERYONE
WHO
NEEDS
IT,
%AND
HOPEFULLY
WE'LL
BE
FINE IN
%THAT REGARD.%>>
WE
KNOW
WE
ALSO
HAVE A
%SHORTAGE
OF
PROTECTIVE
GEAR
LIKE
%MASKS
FOR
HEALTHCARE WORKERS.
%ONE
PARAMEDIC
SAID
I
F
I
T
COMES
%TO
THAT,
THEY
WILL
USE
SCARVES
%OR
SHEETS AND
CUT
THEM UP
AND
%MAKE
MASKS OUT
OF
THEM.
%HOW CLOSE ARE
W
E
TO
HAVING
T
O DO
%THAT?%>>
WELL,
THE
SHORTAGE OF
THE
%PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IS
%REALLY A BIG
CONCERN.
%WE'RE
APPROACHING
ALL
OF
OUR
%
HEALTH
SYSTEMS
AND
OTHER
%PARTNERS
LIKE
PRE-HOSPITAL CARE
%AND
EMS
T
O TAKE
INVENTORY
AND
%LET
US
KNOW HOW
MANY
DAY
S
OR
%WEEKS
SUPPLY THEY HAVE.
%WE JUST
RECEIVED
SHIPMENT FROM
%THE
FEDERAL
STRATEGIC
NATIONAL
%STOCKPILE AND HAVE
BEEN
ABLE
TO
%
ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL
SUPPLIES TO
%PLACES THAT NEED
IT.
%AND WE'RE
ACTUALLY
PRIORITIZING
%AREAS THAT ARE
REALL
Y
HIGH
%CRITICALLY
NEED,
LIKE FIRST
%RESPONDERS AND LOCAL
EMS.
%SO WE'RE
PREPARING FOR
THIS,
%WE'RE TRYING TO
MAKE
THE
BEST
%USE
OF
ALL
AVAILABLE
RESOURCES
%
WE
HAVE
AND
GIVING
PEOPLE
ADVICE
%ABOUT SORT OF
THE
BEST
%STRATEGIES
TO
CONSERVE
AND
MAKE
%
USE OF
THESE
RESOURCES
WISELY,
%BUT IT'S
SOMETHING
THAT
WE'RE
%REALLY
FOLLOWING
CLOSELY.%>> I
S THERE
MORE M
COULDING
FROM
%THAT
STRATEGIC
STOCKPILE
?
%>>
I
THINK
THAT'S STILL
TO
BE
%DETERMINED.
%THE WISCONSIN STATE ALSO
HAS
A
%STOCKPILE OF
A
LARGE
NUMBER
OF
%MASKS
THAT
WE'RE
ALLOCATING, SO
%WE'RE
TRYING TO
BE
THE
BEST
%STEWARDS OF
THOSE
RESOURCES
THAT
%WE
CAN.
%AT THE SAME
TIME,
ENCOURAGING%OTHER
AREAS OF
THE
SUPPLY CHAIN
%AND INCREASING
MANUFACTURING TO
%MAKE
SUR
E
THAT
WE
HAV
E
PERSONAL%PROTECTIVE GEAR.%>>
NOW
WISCONSIN
HAS
RAMPED
UP
%ITS
TESTING
BUT
YOU
WROTE
IN A
%MEMO THIS WEEK
THAT
ONLY
THE
%MOST CRITICAL PATIENTS
CAN
BE
%TESTED.
%
WHY?%>>
WELL, THE
WAY
THAT WE
FRAMED
%IT WAS THAT WE
NEED
T
O
%PRIORITIZE
TESTING
FOR
PATIENTS
%FOR
WHO
IT'S
MOST IMPORTANT
TO
%KNOW
QUICKLY.
%AND THAT
REALLY
COMES
TO
%HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS.
%THERE'S A
COUPLE
REASONS FOR
%THAT.
%SPREADING THE
VIRUS
INSIDE
%HOSPITALS, BOTH
TO
HEALTHCARE
%WORKERS AND
OTHER
PATIENTS,
IS
%REALLY ONE OF THE
MOST
IMPORTANT
%THINGS WE WANT
TO
TRY
TO
%PREVENT.
%
SO WE
WANT
TO
MAKE
SURE
THAT WE
%KNOW THOSE
ANSWERS
TO
THOSE
%QUESTIONS OF
WHO
HAS
COVID-19 IN
%THE HOSPITAL O
R
OTHER
HEALTHCARE
%SETTINGS AS
URGENTLY AS
%POSSIBLE.
%SO
IF
WE
HAVE
TO
MAKE
CHOICES
%ABOUT WHAT
TESTS
GET
DONE
%QUICKLY, IF WE
HAVE A
LONGER
%
TURNAROUND
TIME, W
E
NEED
TO
%PRIORITIZE THOSE.
%NOW
THE
OTHER
REASON IS
THAT A
%LOT OF
PEOPLE
WITH
MILD
SYMPTOMS
%OF
COVID-19
DON'T
REALLY
REQUIRE
%MEDICAL CARE
AT
ALL,
AND
RIGHT
%NOW
SINCE
OUR
RECOMMENDATION
FOR%EVERYONE IN THE
POPULATION,%WHETHER YOU
HAVE
A
MILD
COLD
O
R
%YOU
HAVE
INFLUENZA,
IS
TO STAY%AT
HOME,
RECOVER
AT
HOME,
AND
%PROTECT THOSE AROUND
YOU
FRO
M
%POTENTIALLY
BECOMING
INFECTED.
%KNOWING
THAT RESULT
O
F
A
%COVID-19 TEST ISN'T AS
IMPORTANT
%FOR EVERYONE.
%IN
FACT, FROM
AN
INFECTION
%CONTROL
PERSPECTIVE,
THE
%ADVANTAGE IS
BEING ABLE
TO
%SUPPORT
PEOPLE
REMOTELY,
NOT
%HAVE PEOPLE COME
IN
AND GET
%TESTED IN
A
HEALTHCARE
SETTING.
%SO IT'S
ANOTHER
STRATEGY
WE'RE
%USING TO TRY
TO
PRESERVE
%HEALTHCARE RESOURCES.
%WHEN
PEOPLE
THAT
ARE
YOUNG
HAVE
%
MILD
ILLNESS,
EVEN
IF
THEY
HAVE
%COVID-19, OUR
MESSAGE
I
S
MOST
%PEOPLE ARE
ABLE
TO
RECOVER, CALL
%
US IF YOU HAVE
CONCERNING
%SYMPTOM
B
Y ANY
MEANS BUT
YOU
%DON'T
NECESSARILY NEED A
TEST.%>>
EXCUSE
ME,
DOCTOR,
WITH
JUST
%ABOUT
A
MINUTE
LEFT,
IN
A
LETTER
%TO
THE
FDA,
WISCONSIN
%CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION
%DESCRIBED EXTREME
CHALLENGES
IN
%HOSPITALS
ACROSS
THE
STATE
AND
%GETTING
REAGENTS
AND
EVEN
SWABS
%TO
CONDUCT THE TEST.
%HOW
LONG
DOES
WISCONSIN
HAVE
%BEFORE IT
RUNS OUT OF
WHAT
I
T
%NEEDS TO
COMPLETE
THE
TESTING?
%>>
WE'RE
I
N
CONVERSATION
NEARLY
%DAILY WITH
OUR
LABORATORY
%PARTNERS.
%WE
HAVE TWO PUBLIC HEALTH LABS
%IN
WISCONSIN,
IN
MADISON
AND
%MILWAUKEE
-- THEY
HAVE
BEEN
VERY
%
OPEN AND
COLLABORATIVE IN
TERMS
%OF
TAKING
INVENTORY
ON
AN
%ONGOING BASIS
OF HOW
MANY
%INGREDIENTS OR
REAGENTS THEY%HAVE TO
D
O
THE
TESTS
AND
ARE
%ACTUALLY
SHARING,
WHEN
%NECESSARY, TO
MAKE
SURE
THAT
%THEY
HAVE
ENOUGH
SUPPLIES.
%SO WE
ARE
NOT
I
N
A
POSITION
THAT
%WE
ARE ONE TO
RUN
OUT
AND
NOT
BE
%ABLE TO D
O
THE
TESTING
THAT
W
E
%NEED RIGHT
NOW,
BUT
WE'RE
%ACTIVELY LOOKING AT
THAT.%>> ALL
RIGHT,
DR. RYAN
%WESTERGAARD, THANK YOU, THANK%
YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME
.
%>> THANK
YOU.%>>
FOR
ADDITIONAL
REPORTING ON
%COVID-19, GO TO
OUR
PARTNER
%WEBSITE
AT WIS
CON
TEXT.ORG.
%YOU'LL
ALSO FIND
ANSWERS
TO
%
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
ABOUT
%THE
VIRUS.
%FINALLY,
WISCONSIN'S
%APRIL 7 ELECTION DAY AS OF
%TONIGHT
IS
UNCHANGED.
%NEXT FRIDAY
AT
7:00 P.M., "HERE%AND NOW"
JOURNALIST ZAC SCHULTZ
%WILL
CONDUCT ONE
ON ONE
%INTERVIEWS
WITH
THE
CANDIDATES
%FOR
STATE SUPREME COURT.
%INCUMBENT
JUSTICE
DANIEL KELLY
%AND
CHALLENGER
DANE
COUNTY%CIRCUIT COURT
JUDGE JILL
%
KAROFSKY.
%THAT
IS
NEXT
FRIDAY,
MARCH 27
AT
%7:00 P.M.
%WISCONSIN
PUBLIC
RADIO
WILL
%SIMULCAST THAT
PROGRAM.
%"HERE AND NOW"
WILL
FOLLOW
AT%7:30.
%AND THAT
IS
OUR
PROGRAM
FOR
%TONIGHT.
%I'M FREDERICA
FREYBERG.
%GOODNIGHT.
%♪
%[MUSIC]
%♪
%>>
FOR
MORE "HERE AND
NOW," 2020
%ELECTION
COVERAGE, GO
T
O
PBS.ORG
%AND
CLICK ON
NEWS.
%>>
FUNDING
FOR "HERE AND
NOW" IS
%PROVIDED BY
THE
FOCUS
FUND
FOR
%JOURNALISM AND
FRIENDS
OF PBS