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Wisconsin public health officials urge continued caution as COVID-19 variants drive an increase in cases

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Wisconsin is “moving in the right direction,” with more than 3,250,000 COVID-19 vaccines having been administered — but state public health officials sounded a note of caution on Wednesday, amid an increase in cases driven by new coronavirus variants.

Deputy Health Services Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said 35 percent of the state has gotten at least one dose of the vaccine, and just under 22 percent have completed the vaccine series.  She said there is “expanded eligibility, more vaccinators on board, more shots in arms. And we continue to make progress towards our goal of community immunity.”

Until then, Willems Van Dijk urged people not to back off on precautions. “The answer to getting through to the other side of this pandemic is not vaccines or masks, it’s vaccines and masks.”

Dr. Ryan Westergaard, the state’s Chief Medical Officer, said the CDC has identified five COVID-19 variants in the U.S.

“All five of these strains are currently in Wisconsin, and the proportion of the Wisconsin infections that’s caused by the variants of concern is growing, week by week.”

Westergaard said the increase in cases is being driven by infections in younger people and kids. “As of this week, the highest number of cases in any age group is among those under 18. This is a real concern.”

The Department of Health Services on Thursday reported 1,046 cases of COVID-19, the most since February 11, with the 7-day average at 733 cases per day.

“These more dangerous strains of the virus can spread throughout the population, and eventually become the predominant strain that is going around in the community.” Westergaard explained. “And then, we’re left with an epidemic that is more difficult to control than the one we had several months ago. Unfortunately, this is exactly what we’re experiencing now here in Wisconsin, and nationwide.”

“We are not going to get to 100 percent vaccine coverage probably this year. And there’s a danger of the pandemic getting out of control and having unnecessary illnesses and deaths.”

State agencies defend budget priorities at Republican controlled Joint Finance Committee

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Tuesday was the start of the Legislature’s review of Governor Evers’ proposed state budget.

Joint Finance Committee Co-Chair Howard Marklein says that Wisconsin will be receiving a massive influx of aid from the federal government, and that Republicans are keeping an eye on things. 

“The total amount that a federal money that’s come into the state is huge and, in terms of us doing the budget for the next two years, that is something that we’re going to have to consider.” 

Marklein says he’s unhappy with the size of Evers’ budget, and that it will dip into the state’s rainy day general fund balance. 

“That’s unacceptable to me. We cannot reverse the strong trajectory that we had in the past.”

Two days of hearings brought four different agencies to the floor for questions and presentations to the committee.

Republicans grilled State superintendent of schools Caroline Stanford Taylor over whether or not schools would be open this fall, and Stanford Taylor says that’s up to the local school districts. She also said this was not a lost year. 

“But the one thing that I want to make clear to everyone is that there was a continuation of learning, no matter how. Whether it was virtual hybrid or in-person, the learning never stopped.” 

Stanford Taylor says that they do hope that students are back in school this fall, but says that the pandemic has to be under control before many districts will feel safe to make that switch.  “In person is the best avenue for our students because there are some things that you just can’t replicate in terms of relationships and those things, but number one is to make sure that kids are safe.”

The state will be receiving over 2 billion dollars in federal aid for schools in the upcoming budget cycle, and much of that will go to large districts serving underprivileged kids. 

The Department of Workforce Development got the second hearing on Tuesday, and Republicans grilled Secretary Amy Pechacek over the failures of the Unemployment System during the height of the pandemic last year. Pechacek says they’re looking to expand their programming on job training and education to ensure that people will be able to find jobs in a post-pandemic world. 

“In order to keep growing our economy and really invest long term, we want to make sure we’ve got programs in place that are going to help these jobseekers transition so that our employers can also continue to grow.”

Chairman Howard Marklein says business people are competing with unemployment to find workers, and Secretary Pechacek says that’s unlikely. 

“So to think that folks could sustain on $370 [a week], without Healthcare, without benefits… I don’t really think that that’s reality.”

The next hearing came on Wednesday with Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole.

Cole says the agency is planning to expand funding to remediate and remove an emerging contaminant from Wisconsin’s ecosystem. “These forever chemicals are a public health concern, that build up and move through our soil, seep into our groundwater and carry through the air. PFOS are known to build in our bodies and our fish tissue, and wildlife tissue.”

Republicans, alongside the state’s business lobby, say that the DNR doesn’t have a mandate to regulate PFOS under state law. The DNR is currently in the process of codifying those rules. 

Cole says the state is working to keep up with fish stocking demands, while also keeping Wisconsin’s waters clean.  “It ain’t about the numbers it’s about the habitat they go into. So for us, to make sure that what we put in can survive, the healthier the habitat, the better off we are.”

That question came in response to Republican concerns that more people have been getting fishing licenses during the pandemic as a means to do something safe outdoors. 

The state’s effort to increase broadband connections to rural Wisconsin got a focus on Wednesday at Joint Finance’s budget hearings. Public Service Commission Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq says the Commission doesn’t have the power to regulate how and where broadband lines are installed. 

“They’ve been deregulated now for more than 10 years so we don’t have the ability to say if you’re going down County Highway O you must provide service on both sides of the highway.”

Valcq says one fix to the issue would be to allow for municipalities to apply for those broadband grants themselves, provided they can prove that no other provider is willing to install lines in their area. “It’s not a matter of pushing Private Industry out. It’s a matter of recognizing that there are areas of the state where Private Industry is refusing to go.”

The Budget hearings are now set to go on the road, with several in person hearings and one virtual hearing before the whole budget comes to the legislature for debates and votes.

Supreme Court strikes down Governor’s mask order and health declarations

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The State Supreme Court has ruled that Governor Evers cannot keep issuing emergency declarations for COVID-19.

In a 4 to 3 decision, the court ruled on Wednesday that Governor Evers has overstepped his bounds on issuing declarations for the same emergency event past the original 60 day window. After that, the Governor does need to get Legislative approval.

The move would strike down the current health emergency that has served as the basis for statewide mask orders.

The Governor was told to come to the Legislature last year after emergency rules were stuck down the first time by the Court, but his request for a rules extension was immediately dismissed, which led to the repeated orders.

Assembly Republicans want state’s American Recovery Act money used to provide property tax rebate

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State Assembly Republicans want some things out of the latest COVID-19 relief package from D.C. – including a tax rebate for property owners.

“We want to make sure our homeowners receive the assistance they need after a difficult year. So we are suggesting providing one billion dollars, to give the equivalent of ten percent return on property taxes to property owners in Wisconsin,” said Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam).

Born co-chairs the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, which will have no say in how the state’s $3.2 billion share the latest federal stimulus will be allocated. Governor Tony Evers this week vetoed a bill passed by Republican lawmakers last week to give JFC oversight  over federal COVID-19 spending.

Born said the tax rebate would pass legal muster, even though the federal money can’t be used for tax relief.

“We’re not impacting tax law or taxes in any way,” he said Tuesday. “This is aid to households. We’re using property taxes that were paid to arrive at the amount.”

Also during Tuesday’s press conference at the Capitol, Representative Barb Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) asked for more money for long-term facilities.

“It’s important that we recognize this industry, and the difficult year its been through. And yet the governor didn’t even mention it in his priorities,” she said.

Evers said he’s got that covered in his budget, and in the state’s share of the American Recovery Act. “We will also be prioritizing nursing homes, especially as it relates to the things that they need in order to maintain a safe environment.”

Republicans also want $500 million for broadband expansion. Evers this week said he’ll allocate $600 million for businesses, $200 million toward infrastructure, including expanding broadband access, and another $500 million for continuing the state’s pandemic response.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said Republicans may go to court, in order to get that oversight of the federal money.

Representative Pat Snyder (R-Schofield) said that remains a possibility, and that if the shoe was on the other foot, Democrats certainly wouldn’t want a Republican Governor to have control of the funds. “I think my colleagues across the aisle would love to see the Joint Finance Committee get ahold of those funds,” Snyder told WSAU. “I think that would be the right thing to do as well.”

DHS expands vaccine eligibility in Wisconsin to all age 16 and above

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There’s big news, in Wisconsin’s coronavirus vaccination effort. Beginning Monday, everyone age 16 and up will be eligible for a shot.

“This decision to move ahead with everybody really simplifies the whole scenario, for our vaccinators, for our public,” Deputy Health Services Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said on Tuesday. “No more having to sort out if you’re in or if you’re out. It’s time to just move forward and get everybody with a shot in their arm.”

Deputy Health Services Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said DHS felt comfortable with expanding eligibility because the federal government’s estimates of vaccine allotments to Wisconsin have gotten more accurate, and the state has done a good job of vaccinating its initial eligibility groups.

Evers vetoes JFC oversight of pandemic relief spending

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Governor Tony Evers announced Monday that he allocate $2.5 billion in federal stimulus funds for economic recovery in Wisconsin.

And the Democratic governor vetoed a bill passed by Republican lawmakers last week to give Joint Finance Committee control over federal COVID-19 spending.

“I’m going to veto Senate Bill 183, to make sure once we get the guidance we need from the federal government, we can work to get these funds out quickly, and make sure they don’t get tied up in some political fight in the legislature.”

During a press conference at a Milwaukee small business, Evers said he “doesn’t care who gets the credit” for pandemic relief.

“It’s never been about that for me, and it never will be. I just want to get money into pockets and make sure that our state bounces back . . . better than before,” the Democratic governor said.

Republican legislative leaders on Tuesday were to announce their priorities for spending the state’s share of the American Recovery Act.

Evers’ funding announcement includes $50 million for the tourism industry, and $600 million to help support businesses.

The governor also said he plans to allocate $200 million for infrastructure, with an emphasis on expanding broadband access, and $500 million for statewide pandemic response.

DHS advises against unnecessary travel amid rise in cases, detection of COVID-19 variants

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If you’re planning a family vacation this spring, deputy Health Services Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk hopes you’ll wait awhile, as COVID-19 variants are spreading.

“We would want to caution travel, because we don’t want to be bringing variants into Wisconsin that could spread to other folks when you come back, who are still susceptible,” Willems Van Dijk said.

“We know there are variants of this virus emerging and spreading across out nation. And we need to get these vaccine levels up a little higher, before we risk bringing further disease into our state, that will increase risk for those not yet vaccinated.”

With only about 15 percent of the state fully vaccinated against the coronavirus (as of Friday), Willems Van Dijk said DHS would advise against unnecessary travel for at least another couple months.

“I know it’s been a long hard year. I’m sure every one of us wants to go on vacation. But if we can give this just a couple more months with the kind of progress we’re making, I think we will be in a much better situation with protecting the whole of us, by being more cautious in that regard.”

On Friday, the Department of Health Services confirmed a third variant strain found in the state. This one originated in Brazil, and like other variant strains spreads more rapidly and easily than the original strain of COVID-19.

On Monday, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the U.S. is facing “impending doom” as daily Covid-19 cases begin to rebound once again.

“I’m speaking today not necessarily as your CDC director and not only as your CDC director, but as a wife, as a mother, as a daughter, to ask you to just please hold on a little while longer,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a press briefing.

Wisconsin A.D. Alvarez expected to announce retirement soon

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Barry Alvarez

University of Wisconsin Barry Alvarez is expected to retire as the schools athletic director.  He’s served in that capacity since 2006 after first coming to Wisconsin in 1990 as the university’s head football coach.

Alvarez went 118-73-4 as head coach at UW from 1990 through 2005, leading the Badgers to three Big Ten titles and three Rose Bowl championships.  He held the dual role of head coach and A.D. from April 1, 2004 through Jan. 2, 2006.

According to Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Alvarez is expected to make his retirement official in the next couple of weeks.  He turned 74 in December.

Chris McIntosh has been the school’s deputy athletic director since July of 2017 and was being groomed as Alvarez’ successor.  But [Read more…]

DHS urges caution amid COVID-19 variants, increase in cases

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A note of caution, regarding coronavirus cases in Wisconsin. Deputy Health Services Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said virus variants are being detected in Wisconsin, as case counts increase in neighboring states.

“We are watching the number of cases very, very closely. As I’ve said previously, we were never at a low level of disease activity.”

Willems Van Dijk said Thursday that Wisconsin case numbers have decreased from the “uber high” level of about 6,000 a day, down to about 450 daily cases

“That is still very high,” she said.

Willems Van Dijk said Wisconsinites needs to keep masking up and avoiding large gatherings for at least a couple more months while more people get vaccinated.

The state now has detected 69 cases of the B117 variant first identified in the U.K. up from 55 last week. There were 776 new cases Wednesday, the highest daily total in a month.

State Assembly passes flurry of bills on Tuesday, Vos threatens court action on ARA funding

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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says the Assembly is ready to go to court if Governor Tony Evers doesn’t allow Republicans to decide how the state will spend federal COVID-19 recovery funding.

On Tuesday, the State Assembly spent over 7 hours in debate on a series of contentious bills and resolutions signaling a return to tense standoffs with the Governor’s office. One of those bills was a measure that would require the Governor’s office to clear any plans on how to spend over $3 billion in federal funds with the Republican controlled Legislative Joint Finance Committee.

Vos says the Legislature has a right and duty to manage those relief dollars.  “If for some reason the governor chooses to veto this bill we will have no choice but to go to court because the Constitution is crystal clear.” Vos also challenged Democrats in the Assembly to vote for the bill as well. “Because instead what you’ve chosen to do is just reflexively say I work for Tony Evers not my own District.”

Vos and other Republican leaders say the Governor should have no issue allowing the Legislature to oversee those funds, because that’s what happened during the Obama Administration, when Democrats asked for oversight for funding . The difference was that both the Legislature and the Governors office were in Democrat hands.

Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz had a simple message for Republicans. “If there’s anybody among you that would like to be Governor, then run for Governor. But don’t try to take measures that tie the governor’s hands, that micromanage, because you don’t agree with him.”

Democrat Dianne Hesselbein agreed with Hintz, and said Governor Evers did a fine job spending money from the previous stimulus bill last year, and he’ll continue doing a fine job. “People needed our help and the Governor answered the call. Vote no on this bill. Once again, if you want to run for governor, have at it.”

The bill passed after over two hours of debate, but will almost certainly meet with a veto by Governor Evers.

A number of other bills passed the Assembly, and will also likely meet the veto. One bill requires the Governor’s office to start sending state office workers back to the office. Many non-essential employees are working from home while state buildings are closed due to the pandemic.

Speaker Vos says the Governor needs to come up with a plan to put all of Wisconsin’s state workers back into state buildings. 

“Why are some people allowed to work from home While others like those who guard our prisons take care of those in nursing homes are on the job every day doing overtime?”

But Democrat Jodi Emerson says this is once again Republicans overstepping their authority in trying to directly control the executive branch. 

“This is another example of the majority party wanting to control both the legislative branch and the executive branch. Well folks, we live in a world of shared government not Republican-controlled government.”

Other bills passed in the session would prevent both the state government and private businesses from requiring mandatory vaccinations and would prevent local health departments from closing places of worship because of the pandemic.

Republicans also signaled that they would be performing another investigation into the 2020 Presidential Election, and how the state collected votes.