COVID-19 UPDATES FOR COUNTY OFFICIALS

As issues continue to develop and change at a quick rate with COVID-19, the Coronavirus, we at the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) are working alongside Governor Tony Evers, the Administration, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and our general counsel, Attolles Law, s.c., to provide the latest resources and updates to assist county officials during this unprecedented time.

COVID-19 Daily Update: 4.10.2020

April 10, 2020

COVID-19 DAILY HEALTH UPDATE
(Information from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) current as of 1:00 p.m. Central, Friday, April 10 2020)

Total people with negative results: 33,225 (+1,801)
Total people with positive results: 3,068 (+183)
Hospitalizations: 904 (+61) or 29%
Total deaths: 128 (+17)

WCA DISTRICT MEETINGS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
To those of you who were elected last week, congratulations! To those who have been re-elected, your continued service and leadership are appreciated!

COVID-19 is presenting county government with unique challenges the likes of which we have not experienced. In an effort to assist you through this difficult time, the Association has been publishing the Wisconsin Counties Association Daily COVID-19 Update and Resources. If you are not currently receiving these updates, please contact Amy Dias and request to be added to the distribution list.

Following the April election in each even numbered year, the Association holds WCA District meetings open to all in county government where Association staff provide legislative and political updates, answer policy questions, discuss opportunities within the Association, highlight available Association resources, and conduct elections for the Association’s various Boards. These meetings are held in the latter part of April and early May at locations throughout the state. 

Unfortunately, while these meetings have long been scheduled, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates that the Association postpone these meetings to a time and place to be determined including the possibility of meetings held remotely with the assistance of technology.

Please find below a list of the previously scheduled meetings for your reference. As our nation, state and local governments address COVID-19, additional information regarding the WCA District meetings will be forthcoming.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding of the delay and look forward to the time when we can once again meet in person.

WISCONSIN STATE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY PLAN TO MEET IN EXTRAORDINARY SESSION NEXT WEEK TO DEAL WITH COVID-19 LEGISLATION
The Legislature is slated to meet next week in Extraordinary Session to deal with legislation addressing COVID-19. The Wisconsin State Assembly is planning to meet beginning next Tuesday, April 14, 2020 and the calendar has yet to be finalized for the Wisconsin State Senate.

The bodies are planning on meeting virtually, and this morning the Assembly Committee on Organization circulated a ballot to declare an emergency under state law to they can meet in this manner at 10:00 a.m.

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM GOVERNOR EVERS OFFICE
“We continue to be impressed by everyone’s dedication to slowing the spread. Thank you to all of our critical workers who are on the front lines working to provide health care, keep our grocery stores open and stocked, farming our lands, and maintaining our infrastructure.

In this time of safer at home, it is extremely important that we continue to respect all our residents and workers of this state no matter who they are, where they live, and what they believe. Kindness and understanding is how we will get through this. The last thing we need right now is stigmatizing or calling out any group of people, and especially those who have contracted COVID-19.
This illness is what we are up against, not each other. Each one of us has a very important part to play in keeping us all safe, caring about one another, and using this challenge to bring out our best humanity.”

Additional Information: