Governor Tony Evers has signed a new executive order urging people to stay home and not to socially mingle.

Evers says people need to take the threat of COVID-19 seriously as we head into the winter months.

“And unfortunately with the holidays just around the corner, we recommend that you plan to celebrate just with your own household. You can still invite others to join virtually, but we advise you not to go to any gatherings with people who are not in your immediate home.”

Evers says people need to stay home and break the chain of the spread.

“Each day this virus goes unchecked is a setback for our economic recovery. Our bars, restaurants, small businesses, families and farmers will continue to suffer if we don’t take action right now.”

“We must get back to the basics of fighting this virus, just like we did last spring, and it starts at home. It’s not safe to go out. It’s not safe to have others over. It’s just not safe.”

The measure also calls on businesses to limit the amount of contact people are having with each other. The order does not carry any actual enforcement language, as those efforts have been largely stymied due to repeated lawsuits challenging the state’s health orders. 

News of a viable vaccine for COVID-19 is just the first step, according to UW-Health’s Dr. Jeff Pothoff.

Pothoff says the vaccine will need to go through its final trials before it’s fully approved for use, but that it’s a fantastic result. 

“This is a tremendous feat for science. Over the course of less than a year develop, and then not only develop but do the trials that are necessary to begin proving that the vaccine is safe and effective.”

Reports from Pfizer say that the vaccine appears to be 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19. Pothoff says the US will have to start ramping up production to ensure that it can make over 300 million doses for the nation.

“Scientists bring the expertise, governments bring the resources, and before you know it… Bam! There it is. That’s a pretty monumental moment for all of us.”

Pothoff expects that there will be a staggered rollout of the vaccine, once it’s ready. First doses will go to medical staff and those who are most vulnerable, and then roll out to the rest of the nation. 

“We’re still fighting a fierce battle against this virus and we need every single healthcare provider to stay healthy so that they can come to work and take care of the rest of us.”

As the stress of the pandemic spills over into the stress of the Presidential elections, health experts are reminding people to take a break and take care of themselves.

Doctor Shilagh (SHY-lah) Mirgain with UW-Health says steps towards good mental health can be as simple as remembering to do simple tasks. 

“Make sure you’re getting outside and exercising, making sure you’re getting good sleep, eating well, doing enjoyable activities, you know all of those are really vital things to be doing.”

She says that you shouldn’t feel ashamed of being stressed out and worried. Just find time to work on things when you can, and keep in touch with friends and family.

“Wellness is a direction not a destination and it’s built on those small daily steps we’re taking so just think about one thing you can do each day.”

She says it’s very important to get enough sun as we enter the winter months, and to reach out to family and friends to stay in touch. That’s both to help ourselves, and to keep contact with other people who might be in need.

“We’re doing for ourselves, but also for one another, and we need to support each other as we go into the holidays, into this long winter season ahead where our typical coping strategies aren’t going to be available.”