Tuesday Round Up – 4/21/20

April 22, 2020 7:47 am

Alder daily round up, homeless services consortium updates and thank you to community, federal eviction moratorium, childcare for essential workers, demolitions and more.

ALDER DAILY ROUND UP 4/21

For Alder Blogs:

From the Public Health Department:

COVID-19 Information Update 4/21/20

As of 8:30 this morning, 388 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Dane County, up 23 from that time yesterday morning. Some of these cases are linked to the Dane County Jail.

We haven’t seen confirmed cases that are likely associated with the election in Dane County at this time. The high number of polling places, high absentee ballot usage, and availability of PPE for poll workers were likely contributors toward this finding. Unfortunately, Madison voter turnout for the April 2020 election was 97,995 voters (56.3%). April 2016 turnout was 66%. (Via @MadisonWIClerk on Twitter), so the pandemic still played a large role.

McDonald’s is in every community across the country, and we are proud to continue safety serving our neighbors and heroes as we collectively navigate the COVID-19 crisis. We continue to offer convenient, contactless ways for customers to enjoy meals through drive-thru, carry out, McDelivery, and Mobile Order & Pay with our app.

Information for Alders:

The City is positioning itself to ensure compliance with the moratorium on evictions. If you receive complaints from tenants regarding violations of the moratorium, please attempt to obtain from them: (1) the eviction notice (digital copy is fine), (2) the reason for the eviction, or (3) at a minimum, the landlord’s information and the property address.

Once you furnish me with the complaint and the documents, I will work with the City Attorney’s office to address the matter with the landlords.

Message from McDonalds: Inspired by the heroes we continue to serve, starting Wednesday, April 22, through Tuesday, May 5, all first responders and healthcare workers are eligible for a free “Thank You Meal” via drive-thru and carry-out at participating McDonald’s locations by simply showing a work badge. Each meal will be served in the iconic Happy Meal Box with breakfast and daytime options available.

Please click here and here for social media posts promoting this offer. Please also consider sharing these to your networks to help spread word to first responders and healthcare workers.

Additionally, last week we announced that McDonald’s has donated $3.1 million dollars in food to support local communities. Together, with our longtime partner Food Donation Connection (FDC), we have donated nearly 3 million total pounds of food – including dairy products, produce, fruit and bakery items, and more than 1 million pounds of 100% USDA-inspected beef. These critically needed food supplies will be distributed via local charities and food banks to children and families in need.

Locally, McDonald’s small businessmen and women are going the extra mile to support their communities. I invite you to click here to see some of their fantastic work.

In the news today, 04/21:

After doctors concern, Meriter Hospital, with UW Health, will test all pregnant women in labor for COVID: https://bit.ly/2RXQEXv
At least 7 new coronavirus cases appear to be related to election: https://bit.ly/2KnRd8E
Brown County coronavirus cases explode to 292; clusters tied to meat plants:https://bit.ly/3alXGeN
Vice President Mike Pence to visit Madison: https://bit.ly/3asFzUw
‘We’ve done our part’ : Frustrated with COVID closures, protesters push to reopen Wisconsin: https://bit.ly/2Y0d5yO
Wisconsin has a way to go to achieve Evers’ coronavirus goals: https://bit.ly/3aunmGe
Updated: Tony Evers unveils criteria for eventually reopening Wisconsin businesses amid COVID: https://bit.ly/2RWuXXM
Less work doesn’t mean less-important work for medical transport driver amid COVID:https://bit.ly/3cyP1r0
Merrimac Ferry back in operation with limited hours for essential travel only:https://bit.ly/3akifsc
Green Bay plant sees outbreak as states work to keep meatpacking facilities open amid COVID: https://bit.ly/3cC60c1
Survey finds majority of Wisconsin residents say they practice social distancing ‘very much’ https://bit.ly/2yzQCyg

HOMELESS SERVICES CONSORTIUM MEETING CANCELLED

Hi HSC Members,

We are writing to inform you that we have decided to cancel the May membership meeting. We apologize as we realize this is now the 2nd month this meeting has been cancelled and many of us seek guidance and information during the times we’re together. The decision was based on lack of capacity due to our current roles and responsibilities but we also want to be good stewards to the membership as chair and co-chair.

Please feel free to contact us if there are topics and/or information you would like to hear from us/the membership as we continue navigating these challenging times. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication, please take good care!

Jael: jcurrie@ywcamadison.org

Casey: casey.yanta@usc.salvationarmy.org

FEDERAL MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS

You may be surprised that your housing is covered, it’s not just low-income housing. Check the database!

Attached please find FAQ handouts (in English, Spanish, and Hmong) about the federal CARES Act, which provides certain protections to tenants in federally assisted housing programs and in properties with federally backed mortgages from evictions related to non-payment of rent. The National Low Income Housing Coalition released a searchable database last week to assist people in figuring out whether they are covered by the CARES Act. (Please note the NLIHC disclaimer, though: “The database and map are not comprehensive; they do not include data on single family rental homes of one to four units that are also protected under the CARES Act, and they do not include all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily mortgages. When NLIHC obtains this additional data we will update the tools.”)

There are FAQs and videos related to the WI eviction moratorium on the “Additional Resources-Housing” page, a handout on COVID Testing & Treatment Cost and Coverage, and videos on Unemployment Insurance Appeals in English and Spanish on our website. Please share these resources with your networks and “Like” our Facebook page to stay connected to additional resources that may be posted there.

Thanks!

Heidi M. Wegleitner, Attorney at Law, Legal Action of Wisconsin

HOMELESS SERVICES CONSORTIUM THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY

Dear Neighbor,

The Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County would like to say THANK YOU to our neighbors. Homelessness is a complicated issue, which is only magnified by our current crisis. We have been astounded by the outpouring of support from our neighbors, whether that be individuals, private business, or the non-profits agencies. We realize that you are all stretching yourself beyond your usual comfort zone to care for yourselves while also assisting those that are most vulnerable.

The HSC began urgent planning in March, and in just a few short weeks we have been able to adapt services to better meet the needs of those we work with. This has been a result of our partnerships with you to keep our most vulnerable neighbors safe. We wanted to express our gratitude. Your efforts are noticed; your actions have filled us with hope and optimism. Whether you have given money, time, supplies, housing, or your business is helping to support our homeless community, we appreciate your efforts.

This has not been easy, we have overcome several hurdles, but our work is not finished. We know that this pandemic is not over. We know that when it is over, there will still be a lot more work to do. The Homeless Services Consortium has been and will continue to work and prevent homelessness in Dane County. We just wanted to pause to say thank you for all that you have done; you are appreciated. In a time of unpredictable changes and stressors, we are energized by your generosity.

In Gratitude,

Homeless Services Consortium

Board of Directors

ESSENTIAL WORKERS CHILD CARE OPTIONS

As mentioned last week, there are many child care options available for essential workers during this time. Feel free to use the attached flyers (Child Care Centers Open dual language) to communicate these opportunities with your partners (attached flyer is in English and Spanish).

I would recommend that as you are promoting these opportunities, you write an email that speaks specifically to your essential worker group. I think there remains some confusion about who qualifies as an essential worker, so be really clear in your messaging that “If you are a home health aide, you qualify for emergency childcare at the YMCA” (or whatever your version of that may be).

Happy to answer any questions you or your community partners might have.

Thanks!

UPCOMING DEMOLITIONS

All from this morning:

Please be advised that Anne Morrison will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a 2-unit apartment used as office located at 2812 E Johnson St Madison, WI 53704 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Anne Morrison, 2902 East Washington Avenue, LLC, 10 East Doty, Suite 300 Madison, WI 53703 at amorrison@uli.com or (608)441-5163.
Please be advised that Anne Morrison will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a commercial building located at 2902 E Washington Ave Madison, WI 53704 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Anne Morrison, 2902 East Washington Avenue, LLC, 10 East Doty, Suite 300 Madison, WI 53703 at amorrison@uli.com or (608)441-5163.
Please be advised that Anne Morrison will be filing a demolition permit application on May 20, 2020 for Plan Commission review that calls for a commercial building located at 401 North Lawn Ave Madison, WI 53704 to be demolished. For more information regarding this forthcoming application, you may contact the applicant, Anne Morrison, 2902 East Washington Avenue, LLC, 10 East Doty, Suite 300 Madison, WI 53703 at amorrison@uli.com or (608)441-5163.

OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION COVID-19 UPDATES

A copy of the press release announcing the Badger Bounce Back Plan which outlines the criteria and plan for opening Wisconsin’s economy. The press release has links to the plan documents. The Badger Bounce Back Plan will be the roadmap for the next phase of the response to the outbreak.
A new link has been added to the Sources for Additional Information regarding Executive Order 28, which goes into effect on April 24 at 8:00 am (updated Executive Order 12, aka the “Safer at Home Order.”) The updated FAQ has a matrix that outlines essential vs. non-essential businesses. This full matrix goes to effect this week on Friday.

Briefing From Public Health Madison and Dane County 4/20/2020

Since Friday, we have seen additional cases. A trend of 2-5 new cases a day.
There has been 3 more deaths since FRI.
365 confirmed cases-Dane County (4346 -State) and 20 deaths-Dane County (220 -State)
7462 were tested-Dane County
Public Health has been working with National Guard, Dane County Sheriff, Emergency Management to create a drive through testing site at Alliant Center. Plan is for that site to focus on Tier 3 individuals (symptomatic with mild symptoms). No doctor order required, but individuals need to call to schedule appointment. Hoping to have test results within 24 hours of being tested.

o Those who are positive would have follow up and contact tracing.

Partnering with health care providers who are supporting Tiers 1 & 2 to increase testing and care if needed.

Child Care Sites

Three YMCA sites were opened for child care for emergency workers. Clarification that individuals who are long term care employees could also use this resource for their children.

Hospital Capacity

Hospital space continues to be available if a person must be admitted.

Community Connection

There is still concern about all populations connecting with health care resources (e.g., Latinx community members).

Announcements and Updates

Ongoing coordination activities

Emergency Management referenced disseminating a survey to seek input from participants. It will be forthcoming.

Virtual Emergency Operations Center:

Maintaining information with partners through conference calls/video meetings.
County government head/department meetings 1X weekly.
Public safety agency heads/public health 2X weekly.
Inter hospital 1X
Schools 1X
Fire 1X
Chiefs meeting 1X
Joint coordination 1X
State wide emergency management coordination 1X

10.University 1X

11.Regional 1X

Multiple other issues being worked on:

Multi-jurisdictional meetings
Long term care centers
Homeless
Alliant Center testing site
Management of volunteers
FEMA public assistance/coordination
PPE procurement/distribution
Community recovery/planning
J. McLellan’s ongoing work

10.Sheriff, Court, etc. ongoing work

Questions

Please clarify what the Tier levels are.

Public Health response:

Tier 1 – critical infrastructure/health care workers
Tier 2 – chronic illness, doctor orders
Tier 3 – symptomatic, but not in a high risk category or critical infrastructure.

Clarification: The drive through is not “come one, come all.”

Public Health response: For symptomatic individuals. Concern about false positives if the individual is asymptomatic. A desire and concern to have testing for asymptomatic individuals, but insufficient testing resources are available. Current focus is on symptomatic individuals.

Does having COVID 19 confirm immunity?

Public Health Response: Not certain at this time. This is still being studied if individuals would have lasting immunity if they have had a confirmed positive case of COVID 19. Hopeful that there is some immunity developed, but has not been confirmed.

Is the medical investigator/coroner testing during death investigation.

Public Health response: Up to this point, coroners have not been given approval to test all patients. If there are COVID 19 like symptoms when a person dies, med examiners can test, but this is not in the case of all deaths.

Where did the criteria for opening economy come from? 14 days of sustained decrease of COVID 19 positive cases. Testing available to everyone who has symptoms of COVID 19. As stated, testing is not currently available to all. Hospitals are functioning in a standard care model. . Active monitoring of confirmed cases. a. Doing this currently and will continue. Workers have adequate access to PPE. Currently we have insufficient PPE. There is a need for more PPE for all workers.

Public Health response: This guideline came from a document produced by the National Corona Virus Response reopening guidance https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/national-coronavirus-response-a-road-map-to-reopening/ from the American Enterprise Institutehttps://www.aei.org/about/ (MAR 2020). This has been mentioned by many (has become the standard).

Is the proposed testing at Alliant Center for Dane County only, or is it a regional resource?

Public Health response: Unsure, but believes it will be a regional resource. One will also be opened in Milwaukee. Focus is on highest density populations.

Is the standard of 14 days of decrease a “rolling day trend” or does it have to be 14 days in a row?

Public Health response: Looking at trends. If there is a “bump” after X number of days, they will examine the data and the size of the bump.

How are the criteria being publicized? Are the criteria posted on a public site?

Public Health response: Working on a document on the criteria. Hoping to have it available last week on the webpage (not up at this time 20 APR 2020). Continue to push the information out through traditional and social media. Part of the concern from individuals is not knowing when this will end. Need to be cautious at Public Health is saying too much too soon. Want to remain realistic and cautious on what Public Health shares. Do not want to give “false hope.” 1. Dave comment: Fine line between providing hope and giving false hope.

Sources for Additional Information: