News

As we are on lockdown here at Fairhaven, I am reminded of being on lockdown in a different way during WWII in Copenhagen, Denmark. Just think…now no soldiers or tanks coming down our driveway, no blacked out windows at night or listening for air raid sirens. Though toilet paper, sugar, and other items are not always available, we are not standing in line waiting to buy whatever is available. Our helpers here go shopping for us and get almost every item ordered.

During the war, my mother stood in line for hours for a small piece of meat or cheese or one or two eggs, chicory being used for coffee, tea, or tobacco. All the shortages happened within a day or two after the German Army marched in. Our drugs are still available and will be delivered, unlike having no medicines or supplies available to Danes and other occupied countries.

Yes, we are on lockdown, but we can still see each other and talk—granted at a 6 foot distance. We miss our family and friends that cannot come in, but mail, phones and all kinds of communications are available to us on the computer with staff helping us, if need be. Contrast that, to no communication out of the country, with a few letters allowed after being censored. I had a friend, who had married an American and lived in the US. She did not know that her Dad had died until 3 years later. We have radio and TV, where you can listen and watch anything you want. In Denmark, we had radio stations, all of them full of German
propaganda.

The kitchen staff is bringing hundreds of meals to the apartments and rooms as ordered…just think of the planning for that. It makes me glad I am old.

Yes, we miss going to church, but our pastors are bringing us inspirational and uplifting messages and many churches are offering online services. Contrast this to our Danish pastors, many whom were executed
because they were hiding Jews and writing letters protesting the Nazi regime. Let us hope our prayers are answered and we will soon be back to normal. It may be a new normal, but this is a strong country and we will overcome this.

This is from the perspective of an independent living apartment dweller. Stay well.

Sincerely,
Karin Strömgren Campbell

Note: Karin is in her 80s. She was a little girl in Denmark during World War II. Their family also hid Jewish children in their home for a short time. Karin is a member of Joy Circle at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. She lives at Fairhaven Senior Services with her husband, Joe.

BANNER NOTE: We are starting a new feature, “Our Readers Share,” which will be made up of contributions from people just like you, and we felt that this was a fine start for that feature. Please see another article on today’s Banner for further information. Thanks to Karin Stromgren Campbell for our inaugural submission.

Those of us who spend time on social media (Facebook, etc.) have had plenty of opportunities to contribute and/or view all sorts of expressions that have been inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting isolation and “free time.”  There have been thoughts shared about positive ways that our life might be changed going forward, suggestions for good ways to spend time at home alone or with family, ideas for things for children to do, online learning resources, or online arts resources – virtual museum visits, ballet, etc. There have also been some beautiful photographs of scenes and wildlife in our area. Those who aren’t on social media may not have had much opportunity to see this sort of thing, and they might appreciate seeing some of the “gems” without having to put up with the ads, the clutter, and the negativity that sometimes comes with social media.

We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. Please indicate whether you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter or if you prefer to remain anonymous.  At least for now, no more than two submissions per person, please.  Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage.  Thanks for thinking about this!  

On Thursday, April 17 the Board of Regents adopted a policy change that could lead to furloughs for up to 39,000 employees at the state’s 13 universities and branch campuses. The measure came after the schools projected losses of almost $170 million after students were told to leave campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furloughs are essentially mandatory, unpaid time off, while an employee’s benefits and position are maintained. Per the policy, furloughs could range from one to ninety days, and could be intermittent.

The very next day after the policy change, UW-W Chancellor Dwight Watson announced that furloughs will be necessary as a result of the $9 million in increased expenses and lost revenue related to the pandemic. Already the university had been looking to fill an approximate $12 million hole in its budget over two years due to declining enrollments. No details were given about the impending furloughs. Also to be given consideration are steps such as pausing hiring and salary increases.

The Chancellor’s message also indicated that a team will be considering the results of a survey regarding how to recognize the spring graduates in lieu of the scheduled commencement. Summer school classes will be conducted online, and a decision will soon be forthcoming regarding summer camps. It is hoped that classes will resume in-person in the fall, but it was admitted that this is not certain at this time.

The message ended with, “We have many challenges ahead of us. My desire is that we face those challenges together in a collaborative and consultative way. With precision and a firm course based on care and safety, financial liquidity, student and personnel care, and operational continuity, UW-Whitewater will come through this on the other side. We will not be the same place we were a month ago, or six months ago, but we will always be a caring community where we honor each individual and we embrace the scholarly work of teaching and learning.”

The announcement may be viewed here.

On Monday, April 13, WUSD distributed 8,380 meals to children in the community. Each of the 838 children received five breakfasts and five lunches for the week.

This would not be possible without the dedication and direction of Lisa Griep and our incredible school nutrition professionals and custodians: Tootie Behrens, Elizabeth Dempich, Julie Dempich, Pam Duerst, Pattie Germundson, Lisa Hough, Carol Kuchan, Storm Langholff, Joyce Leverenz, John Meyer, Susan Stone, and Cindy Ziebarth. Thank you to our partner, Nelson’s Bus Service, for providing transportation to make this possible.

Through this federal program, WUSD provides meals each Monday during the COVID-19 closure to all children in the community through age 18.

To learn more about the meal distribution and other community resources, visit https://wwusd.org/covid-19 and see “feeding students” under quick links.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will hold all summer 2020 Warhawks SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) programs virtually.

SOAR events are opportunities for incoming students to learn more about the university, connect with other new Warhawks, and engage in the academic advising process for course registration.

“While we will miss seeing our new Warhawks and their families in person, the health and safety of our students, staff and guests remains our top priority,” said Beth John, director of first year experience. “Our teams at both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses have worked to create a rich and engaging virtual experience as we welcome the next class of UW-Whitewater students.” 

Those who have already registered for SOAR will receive information via email regarding the virtual program and any next steps approximately 10 days prior to the date for which they registered.

“We’re committed to helping students and their families successfully navigate the transition to college,” said Marie Hornickel, assistant director of first year experience. “Incoming Warhawks will still have the opportunity to learn about and engage with various campus departments, from financial aid to housing – as well as have conversations with the Hawk Squad, our energetic team of student orientation leaders.”

The Warhawks SOAR events represent just one component of UW-Whitewater’s comprehensive orientation program, which continues in the fall with Warhawk Welcome and the New Student Seminar course.

For more information, contact the Office of First Year Experience at fye@uww.edu or 262-472-3205. 

Per Lake Geneva Regional News on April 17, the Walworth County Health Department indicated that a COVID-19 outbreak at Geneva Lake Manor in Lake Geneva has resulted in a public health order being issued. (Access to the Lake Geneva Regional News article is complimentary; simply click on the X in the box at the top of the page.)

Also, per the table below, the number of deaths from the virus in the county has climbed to five.

Per Walworth County Public Health (4/16): “Our number of lab confirmed cases has risen significantly since yesterday.  The large increase in cases is associated with an outbreak at a facility. All  impacted individuals have been contacted by public health and are currently being isolated.”

Banner Comment: Per the above comment, it appears that a single facility may have as many as 23 laboratory confirmed cases; however, per the department’s policy, no further information will be released. However, the map below from the WI DHS website has a large dot that indicates an unusually large number of cases in a census tract in Walworth County. Please note this disclaimer from the website: “The data within this map represents aggregated counts by Wisconsin counties and census tracts. The location of the symbols are placed at the geometric center of the geographic boundary to represent aggregated counts within that boundary. Map symbol locations do NOT represent physical locations of individual COVID-19 cases and should not be used for that purpose.” Clicking on the dot provides the following information: Census tract 16.02, Walworth County – Positive – 34, Negative – 51, Deaths – 2; last updated 4/16/20; population – 6,308. This link has a map that shows census tract 16.02 in the Lake Geneva area.

Update: 4/17/2020 – 1:15pm

Walworth County currently has 82 laboratory confirmed cases of the disease as of 4/16/2020.

Walworth County statistics of 4/15/2020.

Walworth County statistics of 4/14/2020

UPDATE: Audio file of Gov. Evers’ radio address regarding the extension.

UPDATE: Per a news conference at1:30 p.m. on 4/16:

• Twenty-nine labs in the state are now able to process COVID-19 tests, with a total capacity of over 7,000 daily.
• So far there have been 40,974 negative and 3,875 positive tests.
• There have been 1121 hospitalizations, representing a 28% hospitalization rate of those confirmed.
• 197 deaths – It is estimated that without the containment measures, there would have been 300-1400 more deaths.
• In order to move farther towards reopening the state, there needs to be 1) more testing, 2) contact tracing for all those with confirmed infections, 3) more PPE and more health care workers, and 4) continued daily scientific analysis.
• Wisconsin is working with the following states on regional plans, although each state will have the ability to customize to their situation: MN, IL, MI, OH, KY, IN.
• Lenders have approved 32,000 small business SBA loan applications totalling $7.2 billion. It was reported that the funds for the program have been exhausted, with Congress considering authorization of additional monies.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today directed Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to extend the Safer at Home order from April 24, 2020 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020, or until a superseding order is issued. The order implements some new measures to ensure safety and support the progress we’ve made in containing COVID-19, but also allows certain activities to start up again. The order is available here. “A few weeks ago, we had a pretty grim outlook for what COVID-19 could mean for our state, but because of the efforts of all of you, Safer at Home is working. That said, we aren’t out of the woods just yet,” said Gov. Evers. “As I’ve said all along, we are going to rely on the science and public health experts to guide us through this challenge. So, as we extend Safer at Home, I need all of you to continue doing the good work you’ve been doing so we can keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and get through this storm together.”“Before we lift Safer at Home, the steps of testing and more robust public health measures must be in place,” explained Secretary-designee Palm. “These steps will help us reduce the risk of a second wave of the virus. If we open up too soon, we risk overwhelming our hospitals and requiring more drastic physical distancing measures again.”The extension of the Safer at Home order includes a few changes. Some changes allow more businesses and activities to open back up, while other changes help make businesses safer for employees and customers. The changes in this order include: Businesses and activities ramping up service and operations:

• Public libraries: Public libraries may now provide curb-side pick-up of books and other library materials. 
• Golf Courses: Golf courses may open again, with restrictions including scheduling and paying for tee times online or by phone only. Clubhouses and pro shops must remain closed.
• Non-essential Businesses: Non-essential businesses will now be able to do more things as Minimum Basic Operations, including deliveries, mailings, and curb-side pick-up. Non-essential businesses must notify workers of whether they are necessary for the Minimum Basic Operations.
• Arts and Crafts Stores: Arts and craft stores may offer expanded curb-side pick-up of materials necessary to make face masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Aesthetic or Optional Exterior Work: Aesthetic or optional exterior lawn care or construction is now allowed under the extended order, so long as it can be done by one person.

Safe Business Practices:

• Safe Business Practices for Essential Businesses and Operations: Essential Businesses and Operations must increase cleaning and disinfection practices, ensure that only necessary workers are present, and adopt policies to prevent workers exposed to COVID-19 or symptomatic workers from coming to work.
• Safe Business Practices for Retailers that Essential Businesses and Operations: Retail stores that remain open to the public as Essential Businesses and Operations must limit the number of people in the store at one time, must provide proper spacing for people waiting to enter, and large stores must offer at least two hours per week of dedicated shopping time for vulnerable populations.
• Supply Chain: Essential Businesses and Operations that are essential because they supply, manufacture, or distribute goods and services to other Essential Businesses and Operations can only continue operations that are necessary to those businesses they supply. All other operations must continue as Minimum Basic Operations.

 Other changes include:

• Schools: Public and private K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
• Local parks and open space: Local health officials may close public parks and open spaces if it becomes too difficult to ensure social distancing or the areas are being mistreated.
• Travel: People are strongly encourage to stay close to home, not travel to second homes or cabins, and not to travel out-of-state if it is not necessary. 
• Tribal Nations: Tribal Nations are sovereign over their territory and can impose their own restrictions. Non-tribal members should be respectful of and avoid non-essential travel to Tribal territory. Local government must coordinate, collaborate, and share information with Tribal Nations.
• Duration: The changes in this order go into effect on April 24, 2020. The order will remain in effect until 8 a.m. on May 26, 2020.

If you have questions, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is available here for your review.The public should continue to follow simple steps to avoid exposure to the virus and prevent illness including: 

• Avoiding social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house);
• Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water; 
• Covering coughs and sneezes;
• Avoiding touching one’s face; and 
• Staying home. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we encourage you and the public to frequently monitor the DHS website. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook, Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information can be found on the CDC website. Read Emergency Order #28 – Safer at Home here.
Emergency Order #28 FAQs here.