http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-protest-madison-s5.jpgHealth professionals explain why the Governor’s Safer at Home order is an essential measure for containing COVID-19, creating conditions to gradually and safely reopen the economy.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-ppe-prep-s5.jpgMore than 870,000 people in the United States have tested positive for the virus. That number has doubled in the past two weeks, climbing by 25,000 or more cases per day.

Temporary medical facility will help hospitals to manage surge in capacity while providing a safe location for low-acuity COVID-19 patients to isolate and recover.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm signed Emergency Order #32 on Thursday, relating to the operation of an alternative care facility (ACF) at State Fair Park in West Allis. The ACF at State Fair Park will play a critical role in helping hospitals to manage a surge in capacity while providing a safe location for low-acuity COVID-19 patients to isolate and recover, which are essential aspects of federal guidance and the Badger Bounce Back plan.

“I want to thank all of the individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to not only construct a temporary medical facility, but to also bring on board dozens of healthcare professionals who will care for the patients at the ACF,” said Gov. Evers.  “The ACF will soon provide an additional tool to the SE Wisconsin region to expand the continuum of care for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.”

Emergency Order #32 is available here.

More information regarding the ACF at State Fair Park is available here.

Green Bay, WI – Small businesses located within the city of Green Bay may now apply for assistance through the City’s Small Business Pandemic Relief Loan Program. The City has allocated $100,000 to be disbursed to eligible applicants as soon as possible in order to provide much needed financial relief.

The City will provide 1-year deferred interest loans, up to $10,000, for eligible small businesses that experienced significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has a 36 month and 48 month term, including 12 months of deferred payments. The City is attempting to make the loan application as simple and as quick as possible.

“We recognize the intense hardships our business community is currently facing, and we are responding,” says Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich. “We’ve created this program to supplement the assistance offered by the state and federal governments, recognizing that the needs of our local businesses are substantial. We hope these funds will provide some additional support for Green Bay businesses that are working to overcome significant challenges.”

More information about the Small Business Pandemic Relief Loan is available at www.greenbaywi.gov/sbprl. Business owners may download application materials through the website, or by contacting program manager Wendy Townsend at 920-448-3086, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Fox River and Lake Michigan water levels remain near record highs, so residents need to be prepared for future flooding events.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gaylord-nelson-s5.jpg“The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” - Gaylord Nelson

Sen. Smith writes about the COVID-19 Response Bill signed last week and explains what steps we still must take to further help Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/kewaunee-harbor-family-s5.jpgGov. Tony Evers asks Wisconsinites to help each other and work together to make a phased reopening of businesses possible. Need to ramp up testing, public health infrastructure is vital for success.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-test2-s5.jpgTesting is key to Wisconsin turning the dial on COVID-19 and reopening the state.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/farm-family-s5.jpgUSDA will purchase crops and livestock. Some farmers forced to let produce rot in the field, dump oversupplies of milk.