PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> THE WISCONSIN VOTE SURVIVES A
SPRAY OF LEGAL CHALLENGES.
AND THIS WEEK THE ELECTORAL
COLLEGE CONVENES AND RATIFIES
THE VOTE FOR JOE BIDEN AND
KAMALA HARRIS.
AND HOPE ARRIVES THIS WEEK IN
THE BATTLE AGAINST CORONAVIRUS.
SHIPMENTS OF VACCINE ARRIVE AND
VACCINATIONS BEGIN IN WISCONSIN.
>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," LEGAL
CHALLENGES TO WISCONSIN ELECTION
RESULTS GIVE NEW MEANING TO
BATTLEGROUND STATE.
AN ELECTION LAW SCHOLAR IS HERE.
SO IS THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
TO TALK ABOUT THE ARRIVAL OF THE
VACCINE.
AARP ON THE ALARMING NUMBER OF
COVID CASES AMONG NURSING ROAM
RESTAURANTS AND STAFF.
AND A RESTAURANT OWNER WORRIES
ABOUT MAKING IT THROUGH THE
WINTER.
IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR
DECEMBER 18.
>> FUNDING FOR SHOAF SHOW "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
>> WISCONSIN CASTS ITS TEN
ELECTORAL VOTES FOR PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO
JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR. AND FOR
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA, TEN ELECTORAL
VOTES ALSO FOR KAMALA D. HARRIS.
WE MADE IT.
>> GOVERNOR TONY EVERS MAKES IT
OFFICIAL ON MONDAY.
WISCONSIN'S TEN ELECTORAL
COLLEGE VOTES WENT TO BIDEN AND
HAIFER RYS, AS DID THOSE OF
OTHER STATES THE TICKET WON.
WEDNESDAY U.S. RON JOHNSON
CHAIRED HIS HOMELAND SECURITY
COMMITTEE HEARING ON ELECTION
FRAUD.
THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF
FRAUD DID NOT DETER JOHNSON FROM
ELEVATING THE CAUSE TO THE HALLS
OF CONGRESS.
>> THERE WAS FRAUD IN THIS
ELECTION.
I DON'T HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT
THAT.
THERE WAS FRAUD.
WE JUST DON'T KNOW THE EXTENT
AND WHAT THE REMEDY WOULD BE
WHEN IDENTIFIED.
>> SENATOR JOHNSON'S TAKE IS
THAT THE DISCUSSION OF WHAT HE
BELIEVES WAS RAMPANT FRAUD IN
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS
ESSENTIAL TO RESTORING VOTER
CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTORAL
PROCESS.
BUT TWO THINGS.
RECOUNTS AND COURT CHALLENGES IN
WISCONSIN AND ACROSS THE
COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE U.S.
SUPREME COURT AND LOWER FEDERAL
AND CIRCUIT COURTS, FOUND NO
SUCH EVIDENCE OF FRAUD AND
REPEATING THE CLAIMS AS THOUGH
TRUE IS WHAT DERAILS CONFIDENCE
IN THE SYSTEM, ACCORDING TO
ELECTION OFFICIALS AND JUDGES
AND JUSTICES.
PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUES THE
DRUMBEAT, HOWEVER, EVEN AS TOP
REPUBLICANS IN THE U.S. SENATE
SAY IT'S OVER.
RON JOHNSON HIMSELF NOW
ACKNOWLEDGING THE LOSS.
OUR NEXT GUEST IS AN EXPERT ON
THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY AND
ELECTION LAW.
UW-MADISON POLITICAL SCIENCE
PROFESSOR KEN MAYER JOIN US NOND NOW
AND THANKS VERY MUCH FOR DOING
SO.
SO WHAT IS YOUR TAKE WHETHER
REPEATING CLAIMS THAT THE
ELECTION WAS RIGGED OR STOLEN OR
RIFE WITH FRAUD IS POFER
DISCUSSION OR PUTS OUR DEMOCRACY
AT RISK?
>> THOSE CLAIMS ARE DEEPLY
CORROSIVE BECAUSE THERE HAS
NEVER BEEN ANY CREDIBLE EVIDENCE
OF FRAUD, NO MATTER WHAT SENATOR
JOHNSON SAYS.
IT'S JUST NOT TRUE.
AND ONE OF THE WAYS THAT -- ONE
OF THE TELLS IS THAT EVEN THE
PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS AND OTHER
LAWYERS WHEN THEY GO INTO
FEDERAL COURT, WHERE THERE ARE
CONSEQUENCES FOR
MISREPRESENTATION, THEY'RE NOT
ALLEGING FRAUD.
AND SO THERE JUST IS ABSOLUTELY
NO EVIDENCE OF FRAUD.
THERE NEVER HAS BEEN ANY
EVIDENCE OF FRAUD.
THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN DEBUNKED
TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
EVEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S
CHIEF CYBERSECURITY OFFICIAL
SAYS THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF ANY
MANIPULATION OR INTRUSION.
IT'S ALL NONSENSE.
>> SO HOW IS IT CORROSIVE AND
HOW DOES IT PUT OUR DEMOCRACY AT
RISK?
>> IT PUTS DEMOCRACY AT RISK
BECAUSE IT UNDERMINES THE
ABSOLUTE CENTRAL TENET ANY
DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM, WHICH IS THAT
PERIODIC ELECTIONS RESULT IN A
TRANSFER, A PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF
POWER WHEN THE INCUMBENT PARTY
LOSES.
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED
HERE.
AND IT'S NOT -- THE THREAT IS
NOT THAT THESE CLAIMS ARE GOING
TO WORK.
THEY ARE NOT WORKING.
THEY HAVE NEVER WORKED.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WORK ON
JANUARY 6 WHEN THE ELECTORAL
COLLEGE VOTES ARE COUNTED.
BUT THIS ESTABLISHES THE
PRECEDENT THAT ANY LOSER CAN
CONTINUALLY CLAIM FRAUD AND
CLAIM THAT THE ELECTION WAS
STOLEN, AGAIN, WITHOUT A SHRED
OF EVIDENCE.
AND IT LEADS TO SIGNIFICANT
PERCENTAGES OF THE PUBLIC
BELIEVING THAT THERE'S SOMETHING
THERE THAT THE ELECTION WAS
STOLEN.
>> SO WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE
BELIEVE THAT?
>> BECAUSE THEIR CANDIDATES AND
CHIEF PARTY OFFICIALS ARE
TELLING THEM THAT.
AND THAT'S WHAT SO DEEPLY
IRRESPONSIBLE ABOUT THIS.
AND THAT'S WHY I THINK SENATOR
JOHNSON'S HEARING WAS SO
REMARKABLY IRRESPONSIBLE, IS
THAT IT JUST CONTINUES TO GIVE
OXYGEN, TO GIVE VOICE TO THESE
REPEATEDLY DISCOUNTED CLAIMS
THAT JUDGE AFTER JUDGE,
INCLUDING THOSE APPOINTED BY THE
PRESIDENT, HAVE SAID THERE'S
NOTHING THERE.
THE SUPREME COURT HAS REJECTED
LAWSUITS.
THERE JUST -- THERE IS NOTHING
THERE.
AND I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME
EXAMINING THE ALLEGED EVIDENCE
AND IT'S JUST FALSE.
I CAN'T PUT IT ANY PLAINER THAN
THAT.
EXCEPT IN WAYS THAT MIGHT GET
YOU IN TROUBLE WITH THE FCC.
SO IT JUST IS REALLY
IRRESPONSIBLE TO CONTINUE THESE
UNSUPPORTED AND FALSE
ALLEGATIONS OF ANY TYPE OF
FRAUD.
>> DID YOU IMAGINE THAT THIS IS
HOW IT WOULD GO IF DONALD TRUMP
IN FACT LOST THE ELECTION?
>> WELL, IN A WAY, YES, BECAUSE
HE SAID HE WOULD.
HE HAD REPEATEDLY SAID THAT HE
WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE LOSS.
HE REPEATEDLY SAID TO HIS
SUPPORTERS THAT THE ONLY WAY
THAT HE WOULD LOSE WOULD BE
BECAUSE THE ELECTION WAS
RIGGEDMENT SO THAT PART IS,
FRANKLY, NOT TERRIBLY
SURPRISING.
WHAT IS I THINK MORE SURPRISING
AND DISAPPOINTING IS THE NUMBER
OF OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS IN
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO HAVE
GONE ALONG WITH THIS AND THEY'VE
BEEN EITHER PLAYING COY, THAT
THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HIS
COMPLAINTS HEARD, OR THEY'VE
SIMPLY DEFLECTED THE QUESTION.
BUT WE ARE NOW AT A POINT WHERE
THERE ARE TENS OF MILLIONS OF
PEOPLE WHO ARE UTTERLY CONVINCED
THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN,
THAT IT WAS FRAUDULENT BECAUSE
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES HAS REPEATEDLY INSISTED
THAT IT WAS.
>> WHAT WILL HISTORY SAY, IN
YOUR MIND, ABOUT THESE EVENTS IN
U.S. ELECTORAL POLITICS?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES IN THE
PAST WHERE ELECTION OUTCOMES
HAVE BEEN BITTERLY CONTESTED OR
CLOSE.
I MEAN, 2000 IS NOT QUITE
ANALOGOUS BECAUSE THAT INVOLVED
A SINGLE DISPUTE IN A SINGLE
STATE.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER
ELECTIONS, 1876, 1824, 18 #00.
BUT I THINK WHAT HISTORY WILL
REMEMBER IS NOT THE FACT THAT
THIS ELECTION WAS -- YOU KNOW,
WAS DISPUTED IN A SENSE.
THAT'S TRUE BECAUSE YOU HAVE ONE
CANDIDATE SAYING THAT HE'S NOT
GOING TO CONCEDE.
BUT JUST THE FLAGRANT FALSEHOOD
OF THE CLAIMS AND THE FACT THAT
IT WAS AN INTENTIONAL EFFORT TO
UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF THE
ELECTORAL, THE DEMOCRATIC
PROCESS, FOR NO OTHER REASON
THAN THE FACT THAT HE LOST.
>> WE LEAVE IT THERE.
PROFESSOR KEN MAYER, THANKS VERY
MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHT.
>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN.
>> WISCONSIN STARTED VACCINATING
FRONT LINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS
AGAINST COVID-19 THIS WEEK.
SOME 50,000 DOSES OF THE PFIZER
VACCINE SHIPPING TO EIGHT HUBS
ACROSS THE STATE TO THEN BE
DISTRIBUTED TO HEALTH SYSTEMS
FROM THERE.
100,000 MORE VACCINES FROM
MODERNA ARE EXPECTED IN
WISCONSIN IN COMING DAYS.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END TO
COVID-19.
BUT HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL
TAKE MONTHS TO GET SHOTS IN THE
ARMS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR
WISCONSIN, DR. RYAN WESTERGAARD,
JOINS US ONCE AGAIN WITH SOME
ADDITIONAL NEWS OUT TODAY.
AND, DOCTOR, THANKS VERY MUCH
FOR BEING HERE.
BUT ON VACCINES, HAVING
WEATHERED THE HARROWING AND
DEADLY PANDEMIC IN WISCONSIN
THROUGH ITS SURGES, WHAT IS IT
LIKE FOR YOU TO SEE PEOPLE
GETTING THE SHOT THIS WEEK?
>> IT'S EMOTIONAL, FRANKLY.
IT'S SUCH A LONG-AWAITED DOSE OF
GOOD NEWS AND SO MUCH WORK AT SO
MANY LEVELS, BOTH IN THE
SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY AND THE
GOVERNMENT PUBLIC HEALTH
COMMUNITY HAS GONE INTO THIS
MOMENT OF BEING ABLE TO
DISTRIBUTE THIS REALLY WE HOPE
HIGHLY-EFFECTED PUBLIC HEALTH
INTERVENTION.
SO IT'S REALLY SATISFYING AND IT
GIVES US A LOT OF OPTIMISM AND
HOPE.
>> TODAY GOVERNOR EVERS SAID
THAT WISCONSIN IS GETTING MANY
FEWER DOSES OF THE VACCINE NEXT
WEEK THAN WAS PROMISED BY THE
FEDS.
IS THIS A FLAW IN THE
DISTRIBUTION PLAN?
>> NOT NECESSARILY.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE LONG
VIEW HERE.
SO THE ROLE FOR VACCINATION IN
ENDING THE PANDEMIC IS GOING TO
RELY ON US GETTING NEARLY
EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES.
AND THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG
TIME.
SO WE ARE AT THE VERY BEGINNING
OF THIS.
WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE DOSES
ARE GOING TO BE MANUFACTURED,
THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE
DISTRIBUTED.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.
BUT RIGHT NOW AT THE FRONT END
OF THIS IT'S EXTREMELY
COMPLICATED, A LOT OF PEOPLE
WORKING HARD.
AND WE JUST NEED TO HAVE SOME
PATIENCE, EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE
IS EAGER ABOUT IT.
>> CALMING WORDS.
THANK YOU.
WISCONSIN TODAY ALSO ANNOUNCED
THE OPENING OF AN OUTPATIENT
ANTIBODY INFUSION CLINIC FOR UP
TO 84 PATIENTS A WEEK.
THE INFUSIONS PREVENT SERIOUS
COVID-19 ILLNESS.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS
DEVELOPMENT TO WISCONSIN?
>> WELL, THIS IS ANOTHER TOOL IN
OUR TOOLBOX OF HOW TO PREVENT
SEVERE DISEASE.
AND IT'S A UNIQUE KIND OF
TREATMENT.
AND THERE ARE MONO CLONAL
ANTIBODIES, SO THEY MIMIC THE
BODY'S RESPONSE TO VIRAL
INFECTIONS.
WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PRODUCE
ANTIBODIES THAT CAN BE
ADMINISTERED INTRAVENOUSLY.
THERE'S EVIDENCE IT PREVENTS
PEOPLE FROM GETTING SERIOUSLY
ILL.
IF WE CAN DELIVER THAT TO PEOPLE
WHO ARE AT HIGH RISK FOR
HOSPITALIZATION, WE CAN AVOID
SOME STRAIN ON OUR HEALTH CARE
SYSTEM AND POTENTIALLY SAVE
LIVES.
>> SO IS THIS HAPPENING IN OTHER
STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS
WELL?
>> YES.
THESE MONO CLONAL ANTIBODIES ARE
ON A FEDERAL DISTRIBUTION
PROGRAM.
SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
PROCURED A LARGE NUMBER OF DOSES
AFTER THEY RECEIVED THE
EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATIONS AND
DISTRIBUTED THEM TO STATES AND
STATES ARE DISTRIBUTING THEM TO
HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AND ALSO
ADMINISTERING SOME IN THE PUBLIC
SECTOR LIKE YOU MENTIONED.
>> OKAY.
MEANWHILE.
THE POST-THANKSGIVING CHARGE DID
NOT APPARENTLY HAPPEN.
WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?
>> WELL, THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT
OF REASONS, BUT KNOWING WHAT WE
KNOW ABOUT HOW THE VIRUS SPREADS
AND WHAT DETERMINES WHETHER
EPIDEMICS GROW OR SHRINK, I
THINK IT'S BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF
PEOPLE WHO WERE IN CLOSE CONTACT
WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE INFECTED
WAS NOT AS HIGH AS WE FEARED.
AND SO I FIND THAT VERY
ENCOURAGING.
WE WERE AT A VERY CONCERNING, A
VERY SCARY SITUATION, WHERE DAY
BY DAY THE CURVE WAS GROWING
EVER STEEPER.
AND LEADING UP TO THANKSGIVING
WE WERE CONCERNED IF THAT
CONDITIONED WE WERE GOING TO BE
IN TROUBLE WITH HOSPITAL
CAPACITY.
WHAT WE SAW INSTEAD IS IT
PLATEAUED.
STILL AT A LEVEL WE THINK IS TOO
HIGH AND STILL A RISK OF HAVING
GATHERINGS AND TAKING OFF MASKS,
TO BE SURE.
BUT MY HOPE IS THAT IT'S BECAUSE
WE WERE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS
COLLECTIVELY.
AND WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT WE
NEED TO KEEP DOING EVEN MORE OF
THOSE THINGS.
>> SO THE NUMBERS HAVE
PLATEAUED.
IS THAT THE SAME AS FLATTENING
THE CURVE?
HAVE WE NOW DONE THAT?
>> WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE
CURVE AND YOU POST THESE
EPIDEMIC CURVES ON OUR WEBSITE,
YES, IT DOES LOOK FLAT.
IT WAS A STEEP UPHILL CLIMB
BEFORE AND NOW IT'S MORE
HORIZONTAL.
SO WE SHOULD TAKE SOME COMFORT
IN THAT, BUT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT THIS FLAT AREA IS STILL TOO
HIGH.
WE'RE STILL HAVING 3,000 CASES A
TODAY, 10% OF POSITIVE CASES.
WE WANT THOSE NUMBERS TO HAVE
BEEN MUCH LOWER.
THE TARGET IS 1%.
WE'RE NOT TESTING ENOUGH PEOPLE
AND THERE'S STILL LARGE NUMBERS
OF PEOPLE DEVELOPING THE
INFECTION.
WE CLEARLY HAVE MORE WORK TO DO,
BUT I THINK WE CAN FEEL GOOD
THAT WE'VE STOPPED THAT REALLY
DANGEROUS INCREASE THAT WE WERE
SEEING A FEW WEEKS AGO.
>> THAT IS VERY GOOD NEWS.
WHEN DO YOU EXPECT NORMALCY TO
RETURN?
>> WELL, I THINK THIS EXPERIENCE
IS GOING TO CHANGE US FOREVER
AND IN SOME WAYS FOR THE BETTER.
WE'VE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT HOW
TO RESPOND, HOW TO PREVENT
RESPIRATORY VIRUSES.
WE'VE ADVANCED THE SCIENCE OF
VACCINES TO A GREAT DEGREE.
LIFE IS GOING TO FEEL BETTER IN
THE WAYS WE MISS, SPORTING
EVENTS AND CONCERTS, I'M
OPTIMISTIC BY THE END OF THE
SUMMER, FALL WE COULD BE IN A
PLACE A
GOOD PLACE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THE
THINGS THAT PREVENT INFECTIONS,
WEARING MASKS AND PARTICIPATING
WITH LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND
TESTING IN ISOLATION AND
QUARANTINE.
THOSE THINGS BECOME EASIER AND
MORE EFFECTIVE WITH THE VACCINE.
BUT THE VIRUS IS STILL GOING TO
BE A THREAT UNTIL WE REALLY GET
IT AT LOW LEVELS.
I HAVE THINK FOR THE NEXT YEAR
PROBABLY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
REMAIN VIGILANT.
BUT I'M HOPING IN THE FALL NEXT
YEAR WE CAN DO SPORTING EVENTS
AND CONCERTS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
DR. RYAN WESTERGAARD, THANKS
VERY MUCH.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
>> NICE TALKING TO YOU.
>> NURSING HOME RESIDENTS ARE
AMONG THE FIRST TO RECEIVE THE
COVID-19 VACCINE AND FOR GOOD
REASON.
BECAUSE OF AGE AND HEALTH
STATUS, THEY ARE AT INCREASED
RISK FOR INFECTION AND DEATH.
BUT EVEN AS HELP IS ON THE WAY,
THE AARP IS SOUNDING THE ALARM
ON RECORD-HIGH NUMBERS OF CASES
AND DEATHS AND SHORTAGES OF
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND STAFF
IN LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS
INCLUDING HERE IN WISCONSIN.
SAM WILSON IS THE STATE DIRECTOR
OF AARP WISCONSIN.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU,
FRED REESK CA.
>> SO LOOKING AT YOUR DASHBOARD
SHOWS WISCONSIN IS SIXTH HIGHEST
IN THE NATION FOR DEDUCTS DEATHS DUE TO
COVID-19 DEATHS.
WHY IS WISCONSIN IN THAT PLACE?
>> WE'VE BEEN TRACKING THE DATA
SINCE ABOUT JUNE FROM THE
CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND
MEDICAID SERVICES AND IT'S SELF
REPORTED DATA FROM THE NURSING
HOMES.
WE REALIZE NURSING HOMES HAVE
ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST
VULNERABLE PLACES FOR THE VIRUS.
WHAT WE FOUND WAS THAT WHILE
WISCONSIN HAD DONE A FAIRLY GOOD
JOB OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS, LATE
SUMMER, THE ACCELERATION IN
TRANSMISSION IN THESE FACILITIES
AS WE GET INTO THE FALL MONTHS
IS JUST ASTOUNDING AND WE'RE
REALLY FEARFUL OF WHAT THE
UPCOMING MONTHS WILL SHOW AS
WELL.
>> YOUR RESEARCH ALSO SHOWS THAT
WISCONSIN RANKS FOURTH WORST IN
THE NATION, WITH NEARLY 40% OF
NURSING HOMES HAVING LESS THAN A
WEEK'S SUPPLY OF PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT.
SO ARE STAFFS GOING WITHOUT OR
REUSING SUCH EQUIPMENT AND THEN
PASSING ALONG COVID-19?
>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT
TRANSMISSION CAN BE STOPPED A
NUMBER OF WAYS, RIGHT?
TESTING PEOPLE TO ENSURE THAT
THEY DON'T GET INTO THE
FACILITIES.
PPE IS ONE OF THE PREEF PREVENTIVE
MEASURES IN STOPPING COMMUNITY
SPREAD.
WE LOOK AT PPE TO ENSURE THAT
THERE'S AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY IN
THE NURSING HOMES FOR INSTANCES
LIKE WE ARE WE APROVING.
THERE ARE MANY WARNINGS RIGHT
NOW TO LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
SAYING WE KNOW THAT ALL SHIPPING
RIGHT NOW IS BEING DELAYED.
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS ARE MIXED IN
WITH PPE.
AND SO IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A WEEK
SUPPLY OF PPE, YOU MAY FIND
YOURSELF EITHER WITH A VERY LOW
OR NO SUPPLY OF CERTAIN PPE.
SO THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS
THAT THAT SHOULD BE THE LAST
THING WE'RE STRUGGLING TO HAVE
TO GET NINE MONTHS INTO THE
PANDEMIC, YET IT CONTINUES TO BE
A WEAK POINT IN ALL OF OUR
STRATEGIES TO PREVENT THE
TRANSMISSION OF COVID.
>> NOW, I HATE TO KEEP RALTSING
THIS OFF, BUT ANOTHER
FRIGHTENING METRIC SHOWS THAT
47% OF WISCONSIN'S FACILITY HAVE
A SHORTAGE OF NURSES AND AIDES.
WHY ARE THESE SHORTAGES SO ACUTE
RIGHT NOW?
>> WELL, THIS IS PART OF THE
LEAKING BOAT OF OUR LONG-TERM
CARE SYSTEM IN GENERAL.
WE HAD WORKFORCE SHORTAGES PRIOR
TO THE PANDEMIC AND IT HAS
EXPOSED WHAT HAS BEEN A
LONG-TERM PROBLEM IN FINDING
ENOUGH FOLKS TO WORK IN
LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND
THROUGHOUT BOTH OUR LONG-TERM
CARE AND HEALTH CARE DELIVERY
SYSTEMS.
SO OBVIOUSLY THAT'S GOING TO BE
EXACERBATED BY THE STAFF
THEMSELVES CONTRACTING THE
ILLNESS AND WHEN YOU ALREADY
HAVE A LIMITED SUPPLY, ANYTHING
THAT COULD FURTHER DENT THAT
SUPPLY IS GOING TO SHOW UP.
AND IT'S CERTAINLY SHOWING UP IN
A BIG WAY IN WISCONSIN AMONGST
OUR WORKFORCE, WHICH REALLY I
HAVE TO SAY, THEY HAVE TRULY
BEEN HEROES THROUGHOUT THE
PANDEMIC, PROVIDING CARE DAY IN
AND DAY OUT IN OUR LONG-TERM
CARE FACILITIES.
I THINK IT ONLY MAKES SENSE THAT
WE MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO ENSURE
THAT THEY CAN BE SAFE AS WELL.
>> WITH JUST A MINUTE LEFT,
YOU'RE ASKING THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN TO STEP UP NOW TO SAVE
LIVES.
HOW CAN OFFICIALS RESPOND TO THE
SITUATION AND YOUR CALLS TO
REMEDY IT?
>> WELL, THERE'S SO MUCH HOPE IN
THE FUTURE.
THIS WEEK TALKED ABOUT THE
DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINE,
GAVE PEOPLE JUST SORT OF A
BOUNCE OF ENERGY KNOWING THAT
HELP IS ON THE WAY.
THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE SOME VERY
DIFFICULT MONTHS AHEAD.
IT'S TRUE IN HOSPITALS.
IT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE TRUE
IN NURSING HOME.
THE DATA THAT'S SHOWING THE
INCREASE OF TRANSMISSION RATES
AND DEATHS WILL ONLY INCREASE
THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS, WE
BELIEVE UNTIL THAT VACCINE IS
REALLY WELL DISTRIBUTED.
SO WE'RE ASKING PROVIDERS, WE'RE
ASKING STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS
AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS,
PLEASE REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS ON
TESTING, PPE AND ANY OTHER
THINGS WE CAN DO, INCLUDING
PREVENTING COMMUNITY
TRANSMISSION, IS A VERY
IMPORTANT POINT, TO MAKE SURE WE
KEEP THESE NURSING HOME
RESIDENTS HEALTHY AND SAFE UNTIL
WE CAN GET A VACCINE TO THEM.
>> ALL RIGHT.
SAM WILSON, THANKS VERY MUCH
FROM THE AARP WISCONSIN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> IN WISCONSIN, EIGHT NUNS IN A
SUBURBAN MILWAUKEE RETIREMENT
HOME HAVE DIED IN RECENT DAYS OF
COVID-19 AND THERE ARE MORE
CASES AMONG THE 88 SISTERS
LIVING IN THE FACILITY.
THE ECONOMIC FALLOUT OF THE
PANDEMIC HAS RESULTED IN HIGH
UNEMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS
CLOSURES, WHICH IN TURN RESULT
IN FOOD INSECURITY AND EVEN
HOMELESSNESS.
ONE INDUSTRY HARD HIT IS
HOSPITALITY, LIKE BARS AND
RESTAURANTS.
THE WISCONSIN RESTAURANT
ASSOCIATION REPORTS THAT 37% OF
OWNERS SURVEYED SAY THEIR
ESTABLISHMENT IS UNLIKELY TO
STILL BE IN BUSINESS SIX MONTHS
FROM NOW WITHOUT ADDITIONAL
RELIEF FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
AND 46% SAY THEY MAY TEMPORARILY
CLOSE UNTIL THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC PASSES.
TONIGHT WE VISIT WITH A
RESTAURANT OWNER IN THE
EAU CLAIRE OWNER WHO'S SEEN
BUSINESS DROP AND WORRIES FOR
HER EMPLOYEES.
JOANNE PALZKILL OWNS THREE
ESTABLISHMENTS.
SHE JOINS US NOW FROM ONE OF
THEM AND THANKS VERY MUCH FOR
BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU.
MY PLEASURE.
>> SO WHICH RESTAURANT ARE YOU
JOINING US FROM?
>> WE ARE IN ZA51, OUR SECOND
RESTAURANT IN THE EAU CLAIRE
AREA.
>> SO IT'S ONE OF THREE
ESTABLISHMENTS THAT YOU OWN.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE
HAD TO LAY OFF ABOUT HALF OF
YOUR SOME 50 EMPLOYEES.
WHAT ARE THEY GOING THROUGH AND
WHAT ARE YOU GOING THROUGH?
>> IT'S BEEN A VERY, VERY
DIFFICULT YEAR.
A YEAR AGO THIS MONTH, WE HAD
ABOUT DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF STAFF
AT BOTH OF OUR LOCAL
RESTAURANTS.
AND FOR US IT'S BEEN A
CHALLENGE.
YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WITH THE
LIMITED DINING CAPABILITIES.
NOW WE'RE GOING INTO WINTER.
SO WE HAVE OUTDOOR PATIOS AT
BOTH OF OUR ESTABLISHMENTS.
THEY'LL NO LONGER BE AN OPTION.
SO IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING.
AND FOR OUR STAFF, THEY ARE
REALLY SUFFERING, BECAUSE WE HAD
TO LAY OFF A NUMBER OF PEOPLE,
OBVIOUSLY, IN THE BEGINNING.
AND EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE WANT TO
WORK AND ARE WILLING TO WORK
HAVE IN MANY CASES, IF THEY HAVE
CHILDREN, THEY ARE STRUGGLING
WITH CHILD CARE ISSUES AT HOME
WITH THE SCHOOLS BEING IN
SESSION, NOT IN SESSION.
YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO GRAPPLE
WITH THAT.
HOW CAN THEY LEAVE AND DO THAT.
AND SO IT'S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
YOU TELL US THAT YOU IMPLEMENTED
DISTANCING AND ARE DOWN TO ABOUT
AT
25% CAPACITY.
BUT HOW CAN RESTAURANTS STAY
AFLOAT WITH THAT MUCH OF A
REDUCTION?
>> IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
IN FACT, IF YOU HAVE A LARGER --
BOTH OF OUR RESTAURANTS ARE
LARGER ESTABLISHMENTS.
AND SO THE WHOLE 25%, EVEN 50%
BECOMES SORT OF A NON-ISSUE
BECAUSE ONCE YOU DO DISTANCING,
YOU'RE ONLY ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE
SO MANY PEOPLE.
SO IT'S BEEN -- THAT ISSUE
ITSELF HAS CREATED THOSE
LIMITATIONS.
AND, YOU KNOW, NORMALLY IN
DECEMBER WE WOULD DO BANQUETS.
THAT'S NOT HAPPENING.
A LOT OF THINGS ARE VERY
DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.
>> YET YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL
WEATHER THIS AND COME THROUGH
AND YOUR BUSINESSES WILL BE
MAINTAINED?
>> WELL, IN OUR CASE OUR OLDEST
RESTAURANT HERE IN TOWN HAS BEEN
HERE FOR IT WILL BE GOING ON 40
YEARS.
SOY THINKSO I THINK WEFER WE'RE IN A BETTER
POSITION THAN MOST.
WE HAD SOME RESERVES.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH QUITE A BIT
OF THAT.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO STAY THE
COURSE.
AND WE ARE ALSO WORKING IN OUR
ESTABLISHMENTS FOR THE MOST
PART.
SO WHEN -- EVEN TONIGHT MY
SISTER, WHO WOULD BE CONSIDERED
PAST RETIREMENT AGE BY MOST
PEOPLE'S STANDARDS IS GOING TO
BE COOKING IN THE KITCHEN AT THE
OTHER RESTAURANT.
SHE'S ENJOYING IT.
BUT SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO
THAT.
BUT SHE WILL DO IT.
>> HAVE YOU HAD STAFF GET SICK
BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19?
>> WE HAVE HAD A FEW PEOPLE.
BUT WE LUCKILY -- BECAUSE WE
HAVE SO FEW STAFF WORKING, IT'S
BEEN VERY LIMITED.
WE IMMEDIATELY HAD TO LIMIT OUR
DAYS OF OPERATION AND HOURS OF
OPERATION.
SO IN OUR CASE THE FEW WE'VE HAD
THAT HAVE TESTED POSITIVE, WE'VE
BEEN I GUESS YOU COULD SAY
FORTUNATE THAT THEY WEREN'T
WORKING CLOSELY WITH CO-WORKERS
WHEN WE FOUND OUT THEY WERE
EXPOSED, SO WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP
THEM QUARANTINED AND SAFELY ROLL
OUT THE REST OF THE TIME THAT
THEY HAD TO BE AWAY.
>> WERE YOU ABLE TO GET SOME
RELIEF FROM THE LAST FEDERAL
LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM OR
OTHER GOVERNMENT AID AND WOULD
YOU LIKE SOME COMING UP IN
ANOTHER PACKAGE?
>> WELL, I DO THINK THAT IF --
WITH THIS CURRENT STATE RIGHT
NOW IF WE DON'T SEE ANOTHER
PACKAGE, THERE WILL BE PROBABLYPROBABLY
-- YOU KNOW, AS YOU STATED IN
YOUR ORIGINAL STATISTICS, ABOUT
37% WILL PROBABLY NOT BE OPEN.
THIS LATEST ROUND DID NOT
BENEFIT US PARTICULARLY BECAUSE
IT WAS FOR RESTAURANTS THAT WERE
OVER A MILLION, A MILLION AND
OVER, AS FAR AS THE LOCAL OR THE
STATE OPERATING.
IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE
IMPORTANT THAT RESTAURANTS SEE
MORE AID.
>> YEAH.
TARGETED AID, YEAH, TO A
HARD-HIT INDUSTRY.
JOANNE PALZKILL, WE THANK YOU
VERY MUCH AND WE WISH YOU LUCK
AND WE HEAR YOUR RESTAURANTS ARE
GREAT.
SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE IT.
HAVE A GOOD EVENING.
>> YOU TOO.
AND THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR
TONIGHT.
HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING PREEMPTS US
A WEEK FROM TONIGHT.
WE WILL SEE YOU JANUARY 1 WHEN A
POLITICAL FORECAST FOR 2021.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND AND A SAFE
HOLIDAY.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.