>> A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS PART OF
OUR "HERE AND NOW" 2020 ELECTION
COVERAGE.
>> TODAY, I HAVE DECLARED A
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY TO
ADDRESS THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19
IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
>> GOVERNOR TY RESPONDS GOVERNOR TONY EVERS RESPONDS
TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF
CORONAVIRUS CIESES CASES IN WISCONSIN
AND CLOSES SCHOOLS STATEWIDE
EFFECTIVE WEDNESDAY.
ANDREA PALM IS HERE.
UW-MADISON WILL GO TO ONLINE
INSTRUCTION ONLY AFTER NEXT
WEEK'S SPRING BREAK.
WE'LL HEAR FROM A UW-MADISON
OFFICIAL WHO OVERSEES STUDENT
HEALTH SERVICES.
AND A LEEGD LEADING EXPERT IN
INFECTIOUS DISEASE TELLS US
WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR OLDER
PEOPLE.
>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY THE
FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND
FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.
>> GOVERNOR TONY EVERS DECLARED
A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY A DAY
AGO AND TODAY PRESIDENT DONALD
TRUMP DECLARED A FEDERAL STATE
OF EMERGENCY, BRINGING $50
BILLION FOR STATE AND LOCAL
FUNDING.
ALSO TODAY, NEW CORONAVIRUS
CASES HIT DOUBLE DIGITS IN
WISCONSIN, SPREADING TO
MILWAUKEE, RACINE AND SHEBOYGAN
COUNTIES.
TO STAY UP TO UP-TO-DATE, VISIT
wiscontext.org.
THE STATE IS MOVING TO MIN MITIGATE
THE SPREAD.
ALL K-12 SCHOOLS PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE WILL CLOSE EFFECTIVE
WEDNESDAY.
THE STATE IS ALSO HELPING 37 WISCONSIN
FROM THE PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP
WHO MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED AND
WILL SELF-QUARANTINE FOR 14
DAYS.
NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS DRIVING
THOSE PEOPLE HOME ONCE THEY LAND
IN THE STATE.
TONIGHT ZAC SCHULTZ REPORTS ON
THE FAST-MOVING DEVELOPMENTS.
>> ALL STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO
STOP THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS.
>> THE COVID-19 VIRUS HAS BEEN
LABELED A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND
NOW GOVERNOR TONY EVERS SAYS
IT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
>> THIS DECLARATION ALLOWS US TO
ACCESS STATE RESOURCES TO DEAL
WITH THIS PANDEMIC HEAD-ON, CARE
FOR THOSE WHO NEED HELP AND ALSO
LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.
>> SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND
WISCONSIN ARE CLOSING OR
ADJUSTING THEIR CALENDARS.
BUT GOVERNOR EVERS SAYS HE'S NOT
READY TO ASK ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BECAUSE THEY CAN MINIMIZE RISK
WHILE STILL PROVIDING ESSENTIAL
SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, EVEN
BEYOND EDUCATION.
>> ONE IS FOOD SECURITY.
WE HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
FOLKS IN WISCONSIN, INCLUDING
KIDS AND OLDER ADULTS, WHO RELY
ON SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS
ORDER TO GET THEIR MEALS.
ENSURING THAT THOSE FOLKS ARE
TAKEN CARE OF IS A TOP PRIORITY.
>> ANDREA PALM, THE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH SERVICES SECRETARY, IS
ASKING PEOPLE TO AVOID LARGE
GROUPS AND TO STAY HOME IF THEY
HAVE SYMPTOMS.
>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT THESE
SIGNIFICANT STEPS ARE GOING TO
DISRUPT PEOPLE'S LIVES, BUT ARE
MAKING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO
PROTECT THE LIVES OF THE MOST
VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR
FAMILIES, OUR COMMUNITIES AND
OUR STATE.
>> IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT NOW
IS THE TIME FOR THE UNIVERSITY
TO TAKE BROADER ACTION.
>> A NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN SCHOOLS ARE MOVING TO
ONLINE CLASSES THROUGH APRIL.
AND UW-MADISON IS ASKING
STUDENTS TO MOVE OUT OF THE
DORMS.
>> WE ARE ALSO DIRECTING
UNDERGRADUATES WHO LIVE IN OUR
RESIDENCE HALLS TO RETURN TO
THEIR PERMANENT HOMES IF AT ALL
POSSIBLE.
>> DANE COUNTY EXECUTIVE JOE
PARISI SAYS RIGHT NOW THEY'RE
ASKING PEOPLE TO VOLUNTARILY
AVOID LARGE GROUPS, BUT THAT
COULD SHIFT FROM VOLUNTARY TO
MANDATORY.
>> I'D ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH
HAS THE POWER TO ENACT STATUTORY
AUTHORITY TO PREVENT DISEASE
SPREAD IN THE COMMUNITY.
SHOULD THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
ESCALATE, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
HEALTH HAS THE OPTION TO USE
THIS AUTHORITY TO ORDER
SUSPENSION OF PUBLIC EVENTS IN
THE AREA.
>> A NUMBER OF LARGE CROWD
EVENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN
CANCELLED, INCLUDING SPORTING
EVENTS, TOURS OF THE CAPITOL AND
CAMPAIGN EVENTS.
>> MOST POLITICIANS SPEND THEIR
TIME HUGGING AND SHAKING HANDS
AND THOSE DAYS ARE GONE.
>> REPORTING FROM MADISON, I'M
ZAC SCHULTZ FOR "HERE AND NOW."
>> IT'S A FAST-MOVING SITUATION
ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN
OUR STATE.
WE CHECK IN WITH ONE OF THE
PEOPLE AT THE HELM OF THE
RESPONSE.
WE ARE JOINED BY THE
SECRETARY-DESIGNEE OF THE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
SERVICES, ANDREA PALM.
SHE'S HERE WITH THE LATEST AND
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO THESE NEW CASES ARE SPREAD
ALL ACROSS THE STATE, WHICH KIND
OF DESCRIBES THE PROGRESSION.
IN THE COMING DAYS, WHAT DO YOU
EXPECT TO SEE?
>> WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO SEE
CONFIRMED CASES.
THAT'S PART OF WHY WE HAVE BEEN
LEANING IN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO
TESTING.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US AS
A STATE TO KNOW WHERE THOSE
INFECTIONS ARE SO THAT WE CAN
MOVE INTO ACTION QUICKLY WITH
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS IN LOCAL
PUBLIC HEALTH TO GET THOSE FOLKS
INTO SELF QUARANTINE, TO DO
CONTACT TRACING AND TO REALLY
WORK HARD TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD
OF THIS DISEASE.
>> AS TO TESTING, THERE'S BEEN
AN AWFUL LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT
THIS AND HOW IN MANY PLACES IT'S
JUST INADEQUATE.
WHAT ABOUT IN WISCONSIN?
DO YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TEST
AS MANY OF THESE CASES AS
NEEDED?
>> WE CURRENTLY ARE MEETING
DEMAND.
WE DON'T HAVE MORE DEMAND FOR
TESTS THAN WE HAVE CAPACITY FOR.
BUT WE DO THINK AS THIS
CONTINUES TO RAMP UP, WE WILL BE
IN A SITUATION SIMILAR TO MANY
OTHER STATES WHERE WE NEED
INCREASED ACCESS FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THESE TEST
KITS.
WE HAVE PUT IN A REQUEST NOW SO
THAT WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE
FEDS CAN FULFILL THAT REQUEST
BEFORE WE GET TO THAT POINT.
THE STATE LAB OF HYGIENE HAS
ALSO PUT IN A REQUEST.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT A SHORTAGE, AN
INABILITY TO ACCESS TESTS COULD
COME TO WISCONSIN AND WE ARE
ASKING THE FEDS TO MEET OUR
NEED, AS ARE MANY OTHER STATES.
>> ARE THERE OTHER HOSPITALS OR
FACILITIES THAT EXPECT TO START
TAKING ON TESTING?
>> THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT
QUESTION AND AN IMPORTANT POINT.
WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF PRIVATE
LABS COME ONBOARD.
MOST HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, THEY
HAVE CONTRACTS WITH LABS WHO RUN
THEIR TESTS.
THEY TAKE THE SWAB OR BLOOD,
SEND IT TO THEIR DIAGNOSTIC AND
GET THE RESULTS BACK.
SO ADDING THAT CAPACITY SO THAT
HOSPITALS CAN USE THE CURRENT
INFRASTRUCTURE THEY ALREADY USE
WILL BE AN IMPORTANT TOOL TO
EXPAND CAPACITY MOVING FORWARD.
AND WE AT THE STATE LAB IN THE
STATE ARE WORKING TO HELP THOSE
PLACES GET UP AND RUNNING AS
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
AND WE HE ALSO ALSO ARE EXPLORING THINGS
LIKE CENTRALIZED TESTING
FACILITIES OR DRIVE-THROUGH
CLINICS.
YOU HEAR ABOUT THAT IN OTHER
STATES.
WE'RE EXPLORING AS MANY OPTIONS
AS WE CAN SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO
MEET DEMAND.
>> AS TO THOSE PASSENGERS ON THE
CRUISE SHIP, HAVE THEY ALREADY
BEEN TESTED WHERE THEY ARE OR
WILL THAT HAPPEN ONCE THEY GET
BACK TO WISCONSIN?
>> SO WE ARE IN REALLY CLOSE
COMMUNICATION WITH HHS AND THOSE
FOLKS ARE STILL WITH THE FEDERAL
HHS FOLKS AT BASES EITHER IN
GEORGIA OR IN CALIFORNIA.
AND WE HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE
TESTS BE DONE BEFORE THEY'RE
RETURNED TO THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN.
WE WANT FOLKS TO COME HOME AS
SOON AS WE CAN, BUT WE ALSO WANT
TO BE REALLY CAREFUL NOT TO HAVE
SYMPTOMATIC OR CONFIRMED CASES
MIXED WITH FOLKS WHO ARE
ASYMPTOMATIC AND NEGATIVE.
WE ARE WORKING OUT THOSE DETAILS
WORKING AS URGENTLY AS WE CAN TO
BE ABLE TO BRING THESE FOLKS
HOME.
>> WHEN K-12 SCHOOLS CLOSE AND
SOME IN THE STATE ALREADY HAVE,
WHAT KINDS OF PROVISIONS WOULD
NEED TO BE MADE FOR FREE AND
REDUCED MEALS?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND
SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR
KEEPS FLAGGING FOR FOLKS.
AND WE HAVE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS
TO SCHOOLS THAT THEY THINK ABOUT
THOSE THINGS WHEN THEY ARE
THINKING ABOUT CLOSURES,
PLANNING FOR ALTERNATE CHILD
CARE, PLANNING FOR WORKERS WHO
MAY NEED TO TAKE TIME OFF
BECAUSE THEIR KIDS AREN'T IN
SCHOOL.
AND WHAT WE DO ABOUT ACCESS TO
MEALS.
AND THERE ARE FEDERAL PROVISIONS
THAT DPI I THINK RUNS THE
PROGRAM CAN ACCESS A SHIFT TO
WHAT WOULD BE THE SUMMER MEAL
PROGRAM, WHICH IS KIND OF PICK
UP AND GO KIND OF SCENARIOS
WHERE KIDS CAN STILL HAVE ACCESS
TO THAT FOOD, BUT IT'S A
DIFFERENT FORM AS OPPOSED TO IN
THE SCHOOL BUILDING.
>> HOW SUCCESSFUL DO YOU THINK
THE CANCELLATION OF UNIVERSITIES
GOING ONLINE AND K-12 SCHOOLS
WILL BE TOWARD MITIGATING THE
COMMUNITY SPREAD?
>> THEY HAVE DIFFERENT IMPACTS
ON MITIGATION.
I THINK THE REASON WE CAME OUT
YESTERDAY AS PART OF THE
DECLARATION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY ON MASS GATHERINGS IS
BECAUSE THERE IS VERY CLEAR
EVIDENCE THAT THESE LARGE
GATHERINGS WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE
IN CLOSE CONTACT FOR EXTENDED
PERIODS OF TIME IS A VERY
IMPORTANT WAY THAT THE VIRUS
SPREADS.
AND SO IT IS WHY WE LEANED IN
FIRST THERE AND WHY WE CONTINUE
TO TRY TO GIVE GOOD ADVICE TO
SCHOOLS.
WE THINK THAT THE MOVE TO CANCEL
OR DO AUDIENCE-FREE SPORTING
EVENTS AND OTHER SORT OF SOCIAL
DISTANCING TACTICS ARE REALLY
IMPORTANT TO STOP THE SPREAD OF
THIS DISEASE.
>> WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE
TO PEOPLE?
>> SO I THINK THERE'S A BALANCE
HERE BETWEEN THE URGENCY OF THIS
AND DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO
PITCH IN AND HELP EACH OTHER AND
TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO ARE MOST
VULNERABLE IN OUR STATE, THOSE
WHO ARE OLDER, THOSE WITH
UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS.
AND SO WHILE MOST FOLKS WHO WILL
BE INFECTED WITH THIS WILL
EXPERIENCE MILD SYMPTOMS, WE ALL
NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE FOLKS
WHO ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO
SEVERE DISEASE.
AND SO GETTING PREPARED NOW FOR
THE DISRUPTIONS THAT COULD
HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE IS A REALLY
IMPORTANT THING TO DO AND THEN
TO BE SUPER CONSCIENTIOUS ABOUT
HOW WHAT YOU DO IMPACTS OTHERS
IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> ALL RIGHT.
SECRETARY PALM, THANKS VERY MUCH
AND GOOD LUCK.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AS WE'VE REPORTED,
UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE STATE
HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO
CONDUCT CLASSES ONLINE FOLLOWING
SPRING BREAK, AT LEAST THROUGH
APRIL 10.
IN TONIGHT'S CLOSER LOOK, WE
CHECK IN WITH THE ASSOCIATE
VICE-CHANCELLOR AND EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY HEALTH
SERVICES AT UW-MADISON JAKE
BAGGOTT FOR MORE.
FIRST, HAS UW-MADISON HAS ANY
SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED CASES OF
CORONAVIRUS AT THIS POINT?
>> WE'VE HAD A FEW CASES THAT WE
SUSPECTED BUT ALL THE TESTS NOW
ARE NEGATIVE AND SO WE HAVE NO
POSITIVE CASES WITH STUDENTS ON
CAMPUS.
>> OKAY.
AND SO AS OF CLOSE OF CLASS
TODAY, SPRING BREAK STARTS FOR
THESE STUDENTS FOR ONE WEEK.
AND THEN WHAT?
>> SO RIGHT.
SO WE'VE PREPARED STUDENTS FOR
THE IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE
SHIFTING TO AN ONLINE DELIVERY
OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION.
WE'VE ASKED THEM TO TAKE THEIR
MATERIALS FROM THEIR RESIDENCE
HALLS, APARTMENTS IF THEY'RE
TRAVELING AWAY AND TO BE
PREPARED TO RESUME ACADEMIC
INSTRUCTION IN AN ONLINE MODE OR
OTHER ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY
METHOD WHEN SPRING BREAKS TERM
ENDS.
>> WHY DID THE UNIVERSITY MAKE
THIS DECISION AT THIS TIME?
>> SO IT'S A CAREFULLY
CONSIDERED DECISION, CONSIDERING
OUR PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENT, THE
QUICKLY-DEVELOPING CIRCUMSTANCES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE
INFLUENZA AND THEN RECOGNIZING
THAT IF WE CAN GET IN FRONT OF
THIS AND CONTROL THE POTENTIAL
RISK, THAT WE CAN BETTER PROTECT
OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR STUDENTS
THAT WE HAVE.
>> SO IT WOULD DELAY ANY KIND OF
SURGE IN CASES THAT WERE
REPRESENTED BY THE UW-MADISON
COMMUNITY, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
THESE STUDENTS RETURN?
>> CERTAINLY.
WELL, AND WHAT WE HOPE AND WHAT
WE'VE ASKED IS THAT STUDENTS BE
PREPARED TO STAY AT HOME.
SO AS THE SITUATION DEVELOPS AND
WE CONTINUE TO ASSESS THAT, WE
MAY NEED TO MAKE A DECISION TO
CONTINUE THAT THROUGH THE
BALANCE OF THE SEMESTER.
WE'RE PREPARING AS IF THAT'S
GOING TO BE THE CASE.
>> THE BALANCE OF THE SEMESTER?
>> TEACHING ONLINE, RIGHT.
WE'LL REEVALUATE THE EARLY PART
OF APRIL AND DETERMINE IS THAT
STILL THE APPROPRIATE PATH FOR
US AND HOW DO WE BEST SUPPORT
THAT.
SO WE'RE PREPARED FOR THAT
CONTINGENCY.
SO STUDENTS, MOST WON'T RETURN
NECESSARILY TO THE COMMUNITY.
SOME WILL.
WE'VE ENCOURAGED THEM NOT TO
TRAVEL IF THAT'S THE CASE, IF
THEY'RE ALREADY RESIDING HERE IN
THE COMMUNITY.
THE RESIDENCE HALLS IS ONE OF
OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES.
>> RIGHT.
HOW MANY STUDENTS LIVE IN THE
DORMS THAT THIS WOULD AFFECT
THAT THEY LITERALLY HAD TO MOVE
OUT OF THEIR DORM ROOM?
>> WE HAVEN'T ASKED THEM TO MOVE
OUT, BUT TAKE THE THINGS THEY
NEED FOR THEIR INSTRUCTION.
7,000 STUDENTS RESIDE IN THE
RESIDENCE HALLS.
BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND FOR THOSE,
THEY'RE GENERALLY VERY FULL.
>> WHAT PROVISIONS FOR STUDENTS
WHO CAN'T LEAVE THEIR DORMS OR
STAY OFF CAMPUS?
>> RIGHT.
SO WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE
CERTAIN STUDENTS WHO WILL NOT BE
ABLE TO TRAVEL OR THEY MIGHT BE
IN SITUATIONS THAT GOING HOME
WOULD PUT THEM AT A DISADVANTAGE
IN TERMS OF CONTINUING THEIR
EDUCATION ONLINE BECAUSE OF
ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY AND SO
FORTH.
SO WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE TO
CONSIDER HOW TO CONTINUE TO
HOUSE THEM IN THE RESIDENCE
HALLS.
BUT THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE
CONSIDERABLY LESS.
>> DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY?
>> WE EXPECT 1,000 TO 2,000.
THERE'S AN ONGOING PROCESS FOR
APPLYING FOR THAT ABILITY TO
RETAIN THAT.
WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS THAT WE
THINK WILL MAKE UP A CERTAIN
PORTION OF THAT.
>> HOW PREPARED ARE PROFESSORS
AND OTHER INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH
CLASSES ONLINE?
>> YEAH.
SO THAT'S GOING TO VARY.
SOME HAVE ALREADY BEEN USING
THAT TECHNOLOGY, WILL DO WELL.
WE'VE GOT A TEAM ALREADY WORKING
WITH THAT TECHNOLOGY AND THAT
SUPPORT.
SO SOME OF THOSE CLASSES WILL
START OFF VERY, VERY SMOOTHLY,
WITH NO INTERRUPTION NECESSARILY
AND OTHERS MIGHT TAKE A LITTLE
MORE TIME TO GET FULLY
FUNCTIONAL.
BUT WE FEEL LIKE OUR FACULTY
WILL ADAPT TO THAT AND
UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY FOR
THAT.
>> SHOULD STUDENTS ACTUALLY
RETURN TO CAMPUS AROUND THAT
APRIL 10 DATE AND SHOULD THEY BE
COMING FROM PLACES LIKE NEW
ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, OR
WASHINGTON STATE, WOULD THERE
THEN BE SOME PROCESS WHERE THEY
WOULD BE TESTED FOR CORONAVIRUS
UPON THEIR RETURN?
>> SURE.
SO THE GUIDANCE RIGHT NOW -- AND
IT COULD CHANGE, OF COURSE, BUT
THE GUIDANCE RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE
WHO ARE RETURNING FROM AREAS
WHERE CDC HAS CONFIRMED THERE IS
COMMUNITY SPREAD, WE WOULD ASK
THEM TO SELF-QUARANTINE THAT
POINT.
THAT'S A 14-DAY PERIOD.
THAT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO STAY
PRETTY MUCH WITHIN WHEREVER
THEY'RE GOING TO BE RESIDING
DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME UNTIL
THEY COULD BE FULLY ENGAGED IN
THE COMMUNITY.
BUT THAT SHOULDN'T INTERRUPT
ONLINE LEARNING THAT MIGHT BE
GOING ON.
>> WHY ARE STAFF NOT WORKING
REMOTELY AT THIS POINT UNLESS
THERE'S CHANGING GUIDANCE ON
THAT?
>> SOME STAFF ARE.
ONE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IS NOT
PUTTING OUR EMPLOYEES AND STAFF
AT ANY NECESSARY RISK.
AND SO WE'VE HAD SOME EMPLOYEES
WHO HAVE ALREADY TRANSITIONED TO
ONLINE.
THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AS
A POSSIBILITY AS CIRCUMSTANCES
WARRANT.
AND SO THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN AN
OPTION.
IT'S JUST NOT SOMETHING THAT HAS
BEEN WIDESPREAD.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL LEAVE IT THERE.
JAKE BAGGOTT, THANKS VERY MMP.
>> THANK YOU.
>> EVEN AS THE PRESIDENT
DECLARED A NATIONAL EMERGENCY,
THERE WERE CONGRESSIONAL
BIPARTISAN NEGOTIATIONS OVER AN
ECONOMIC RELIEF PACKAGE TO HELP
FURTHER OFFSET THE DISRUPTIONS
OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.
BESIDES WORKING TO REACH ACCORD
ON ITEMS LIKE PAID SICK TIME.
WE CAUGHT UP WITH SENATOR TAMMY
BALDWIN IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK
JUST BEFORE CORONAVIRUS CLOSED
THE CAPITOL AND CONGRESSIONAL
OFFICES TO VISITORS.
SHE TOLD US WHY SHE'S IN FAVOR
OF PAID SICK LEAVE.
>> THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 HAS
SHOWN US HOW IMPORTANT
SELF-QUARANTINE OR
SELF-ISOLATION IS TO FIGHTING A
PANDEMIC AND ADDRESSING A PUBLIC
HEALTH EMERGENCY.
AND IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO DO
IT, IT IS CREATING A MORE
DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR OUR
PUBLIC HEALTH.
THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME PEOPLE
WHO ARE ORDERED BY PUBLIC HEALTH
OFFICIALS TO STAY HOME.
THERE'S GOING TO BE OTHERS WHOSE
CHILDREN ARE SENT HOME FROM
SCHOOL AND THE SCHOOL IS CLOSED.
AND TO HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN
PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE,
PAYING RENT OR HEAT AND STAYING
HOME WITH A YOUNG CHILD WHO
NEEDS PROVISION, THAT'S AN
UNTENABLE POSITION.
AND SO THIS IS AN EMERGENCY STEP
THAT I AM STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE
OF.
>> FOR HIS PART, REPUBLICAN U.S.
SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN, RON
JOHNSON HIMSELF HAS CONSULTED
WITH DOCTORS ABOUT THE NEED TO
SELF QUARN TEEN.
FORMER GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER HAS
ALSO ISOLATED HIMSELF AFTER
ATTENDING THE C-PAC CONFERENCE
WHERE SOMEONE TESTED POSITIVE
FOR CORONAVIRUS.
>> NURSING HOMES AND ASSISTED
LIVING FACILITIES ACROSS THE
STATE ARE CLAMPING DOWN ON
VISITORS IN ORDER TO PREVENT
CORONAVIRUS.
NEW GUIDELINES NOW INCLUDE
SCREENING ALL INDIVIDUALS,
INCLUDING HEALTH CARE WORKERS,
CONSULTANTS AND VISITORS BEFORE
THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENTER
THOSE FACILITIES.
MARISA WOJCIK SAT DOWN WITH JOHN
VANDERMERE, PRESIDENT OF THE
WISCONSIN HEALTH CARE
ASSOCIATION AND WISCONSIN WISCONSIN CENTER
FOR ASSISTED LIVING TO HEAR WHAT
MEASURES FACILITIES ARE TAKING.
>> WE'RE ADVISING OUR MEMBERS TO
DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO
PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF
THE RESIDENTS THAT WE SERVE.
SO OUR MEMBER FACILITIES ARE
ENGAGING IN A COUPLE OF CRITICAL
PRACTICES.
FIRST OF ALL, THEY'RE LIMITING
VISITATIONS OF ALL VISITORS TO A
FACILITY.
ANY VISITORS THAT DO ACTUALLY GO
INTO THE FACILITY, THEY'RE
MAKING SURE THAT THEY WASH THEIR
HANDS AND THAT THERE ARE
SCREENING PRACTICES IN PLACE OF
THOSE VISITORS.
THAT THERE'S A RESTRICTION ON
LARGE GROUPS IN THOSE FACILITIES
TO ENACT SOME SOCIAL DISTANCING.
AND THEN OBVIOUSLY I THINK WHEN
YOU'RE DEALING WITH A VULNERABLE
POPULATION, IT'S IMPORTANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS
HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR FAMILIES.
SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT OUR
FACILITIES AND OUR FACILITIES
ARE ADOPTING PRACTICES TO ENSURE
THAT FACETIME AND REMOTE
CONFERENCING OPTIONS ARE
AVAILABLE TO ENSURE THAT
RESIDENTS STILL MAINTAIN THAT
PSYCHOSOCIAL CONNECTION WITH
THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S VERY
IMPORTANT TO REALIZE IN THIS SET
OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE PANDEMIC
IS THE ISSUE OF THE MORBIDITY
RATES AMONG THE ELDERLY.
SO IT COULD BE 15% AND HIGHER IN
THE EVENT THAT TESTING IS
NECESSARY FROM A CLINICAL
STANDPOINT, WE'RE DOING
EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN AT THE
STATE LEVEL AND THE INDIVIDUAL
FACILITY LEVEL AND THE PROVIDER
COMMUNITY TO WORK WITH STATE
OFFICIALS TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S
TESTING AVAILABLE.
>> THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS
COMMISSION LATE THIS WEEK
DECIDED TO ALLOW MUNICIPAL
CLERKS WITH GUIDANCE OF LOCAL
HEALTH OFFICIALS TO RELOCATE
POLLING PLACES CURRENTLY SLATED
TO BE IN NURSING HOMES AND OTHER
FACILITIES WHERE PUBLIC HEALTH
IS A CONCERN.
THE COMMISSION ALSO DIRECTED
MIEW
MUNICIPAL CLERKS TO MAIL
ABSENTEE BALLOTS DIRECTLY TO
RESIDENTS IN NURSING HOMES
INSTEAD OF DISPATCHING TEAMS OF
SPECIAL VOTING DEPUTIES TO THOSE
PLACES.
THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS IS
ESPECIALLY DEADLY FOR OLDER
PEOPLE WITH UNDERLYING
CONDITIONS.
THESE PEOPLE ARE CONSIDERED HIGH
RISK.
BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AND WHAT
SHOULD THEY DO?
FOR ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS
AND MORE, WE TURN ONCE AGAIN TO
DR. NASIA SAFDAR, THE MEDICAL
DIRECTOR OF INFECTION CONTROL AT
UW HOSPITALS AND CLINICS AND
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WHAT FIRST IS THE
CIRCUMSTANCE AT YOUR HOSPITAL IN
TERMS OF ICU BEDS FILLED AND
PATIENTS NEEDING REST RESPIRATORS AND
THE LIKE.
>> AT THE MOMENT WE'RE NOT
SEEING THAT.
IT'S INEVITABLE AT SOME POINT
THAT WILL HAP.
>> YOU ARE NOT CURRENTLY
TREATING ANYONE WITH COVID-19.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> WITH THIS OUTBREAK NOW, DO
WISCONSIN HOSPITALS HAVE THE
CAPACITY AND EQUIPMENT TO TREAT
VERY SICK PATIENTS WITH THIS
CORONAVIRUS?
>> I THINK IT DEPENDS.
I THINK TO THE EXTENT THAT WE
CAN PREPARE, I THINK MOST HEALTH
SYSTEMS HAVE DEVELOPED
PREPAREDNESS PLANS OR COLLECTING
SUPPLIES AND MAKING SURE WE'RE
COORDINATING.
IT MAY BE IF THIS IS VERY SEVERE
WE MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY
PREPARED FOR THE WORST POSSIBLE
SCENARIO.
FOR WHAT WE THINK IS LIKELY TO
HAPPEN, WE FEEL WE ARE PREPARED.
>> HOW DOES THE DECLARATION OF
AN EMERGENCY COME INTO PLAY IN
TERMS OF YOUR PREPAREDNESS
PLANS?
>> WELL, I THINK IT ALLOWS FOR
BETTER COORDINATION ACROSS
SYSTEMS FOR SHARING OF SUPPLIES,
OF RESOURCES, OF POTENTIALLY
STAFFING IF THERE WAS A
WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.
FOR ALL THOSE REASONS IT
PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY IN MANAGING
THOSE CRUCIAL ASPECTS OF CARE.
>> DO YOU EXPECT THAT MEASURES
BEING TAKEN TO LIMIT CROWDS AND
UNIVERSITIES, FOR EXAMPLE, GOING
TO ONLINE CLASSES WILL ALLOW
THAT SO-CALLED FLATTENING OUT OF
CASES TO LET HOSPITALS LIKE
YOURS MANAGE SMALLER WAVES OF
PATIENTS AS OPPOSED TO HAVING
LIKE A SURGE ALL AT ONCE?
>> I THINK IT'S THE ONLY MEASURE
WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US TO ALLOW
US TO DO THAT.
SO I THINK IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE.
THE QUESTION IS PEOPLE NEED TO
ENFORCE IT AND ADHERE TO IT TO
AVOID THESE MASS GATHERINGS AND
EVENTS WHERE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE
ARE CONGREGATED TOGETHER.
>> IS THAT A CONCERN OF YOURS,
THAT PEOPLE WILL TAKE IT VERY
LIGHTLY?
>> IT'S VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT
WE'RE USED TO.
WE THINK ALL WILL BE FINE.
WHILE THAT'S THE CASE FOR THE
MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION,
THERE'S A CERTAIN SEGMENT THAT
ISN'T IN THAT BOAT.
>> AS TO THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK,
OLDER PEOPLE AND THOSE WITH
COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS, HOW
DANGEROUS IS THIS FOR THEM?
>> FOR THAT GROUP, THIS VIRUS
HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE VERY
DEADLY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE COMPLICATION
RATE, THE SEVERITY OF ILLNESS,
THE DEATH RATES FROM COVID-19,
IT'S THAT POPULATION THAT IS
LIKELY TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF IT.
>> THE GUIDANCE IS THAT THOSE AT
HIGHEST RISK OVER AGE 60 AND
WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS
SHOULD SELF-ISOLATE?
IS THAT RIGHT?
>> THEY SHOULD AVOID MASS
GATHERINGS.
THEY SHOULD AVOID PUBLIC PLACES
WHERE THERE'S PEOPLE
CONGREGATING TOGETHER, YES.
>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT UNDERLYING
CONDITIONS, WHAT ARE THOSE?
>> ANY CHRONIC CONDITION, LUNG
DISEASE, HEART DISEASE, IMMUNE
COMPROMISE, ORGAN
TRANSPLANTATION, RENAL DISEASE
OR KIDNEY DAMAGE.
THOSE ARE ALL CONDITIONS TO BE
CONCERNED WITH.
>> WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE
POPULATION DOES THIS REPRESENT?
>> CONSIDERABLE AND GROWING
POPULATION.
IF YOU THINK OF AGE 60 AND
OLDER, THAT'S A LARGE PROPORTION
OF OUR POPULATION.
>> WELL, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT
THIS POPULATION CAN DO TO TRY TO
-- OTHER THAN AVOIDING MASS
GATHERINGS TO TRY TO PREVENT
THIS?
>> I THINK AVOIDING SICK PEOPLE
TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY CAN.
EXPOSURE TO SOMEONE WHO IS ILL,
EVEN IF IT'S A MILD ILLNESS.
SO THIS POPULATION IS MAYBE
TAKING CARE OF GRANDCHILDREN OR
FAMILY MEMBERS AND DOING BABYSIT
ISING
BABY-SITTING FOR LOVED ONES.
YOU WANT TO AVOID COMING INTO
CONTACT WITH SOMEBODY WITH A
REST
RESPIRATORY ILLNESS.
>> WHAT WOULD SYMPTOMS OF THIS
CORONAVIRUS LOOK LIKE?
>> THE EARLY SYMPTOMS CAN BE
PRETTY ATTENUATED BECAUSE THEIR
IMMUNE SYSTEM IS COMPROMISED.
THEY MIGHT NOT GET THE HIGH
FEVER.
THEY HAVE TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR MILD SYMPTOMS.
THE SECOND WEEK THEY HAVE TO
REALLY LOOK VERY CLOSELY AT
THEIR SYMPTOMS TO MAKE SURE THEY
ARE RECOVERING FOR WHAT MIGHT
SEEMINGLY BE A MILD CONDITION.
>> WHAT SHOULD THEY DO IF THEY
SEE THESE KINDS OF SYMPTOMS,
EVEN IF THEY SEEM MILD?
>> THEY SHOULD CALL THEIR HEALTH
CARE PROVIDER.
I DON'T RECOMMEND PEOPLE COME
INTO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
BECAUSE YOU PUT YOUR RECEIVING
AT RISK IF YOU DO THAT.
SO CALLING AHEAD AND MAKING
ARRANGEMENTS TO FIND OUT IF THEY
NEED TO BE TESTED AND THEN TO BE
TESTED IF IT'S APPROPRIATE.
>> DR. NASIA SAFDAR, THANKS VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> FOR UPDATED INFORMATION AND
THE ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY-ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
IN WISCONSIN, GO TO THE
wiscontext.org WEBSITE.
AND FINALLY TONIGHT, THIS
PROGRAM NOTE, FRIDAY NIGHT,
MARCH 27, THE CANDIDATES RUNNING
FOR STATE SUPREME COURT,
INCUMBENT JUSTICE DANIEL KELLY
AND JUDGE JILL KAROFSKY WILL BE
HERE FOR A LIVE DEBATE.
AND THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR
TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
>> FOR MORE "HERE AND NOW" 2020
ELECTION COVERAGE, GO TO PBS ORG
AND CLICK ON NEWS.
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