Current State of Affairs (last updated 4/16/2020)
Madison 365 has a landing page for all Coronavirus updates. Check here for the latest news.
The Capital Times has a landing page for all Coronavirus updates. Check here for the latest news.
A “Safer at Home” order will be effective at 8am on March 25th and continue through May 26th. (News article from 4/16/20)
Evictions and foreclosures are suspended in Wisconsin for 60 days; mortgage and rent payments/debts will still accrue. Utilities temporarily can’t be disconnected: Press release here. Borrowers with mortgages backed by the FHFA or HUD can request loan forbearance for up to 180 days with no fees for hardship associated with COVID-19.
UW-Health has expressed by email that they cannot utilize volunteers to make new masks to help with the medical mask shortage.
Individuals and organizations with high amounts of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), including gloves, masks, and thermometers, can sell or donate these at https://covid19supplies.wi.gov/Donations.
Closures of Public Services
All public schools in Wisconsin are closed indefinitely.
- Madison School District closed on Monday, March 16th. (MMSD updates available on their website).
- UW-Madison has suspended in-person classes for all of Spring semester.
- Madison College classes are suspended through March 29th.
- Edgewood College has suspended face-to-face classes effective March 23rd (info)
- MMSD is planning to transition to distance learning for K-12 starting on April 6th. This will include providing devices to families who need them. Update(s) here.
As of 3/24/2020: Madison Metro has new rules for bus riders. All riders must enter and exit through the rear door and there is no more fare collection (buses are free to ride). There is a maximum number of passengers per bus. Read more here.
As of 3/17/2020: All Madison Public Library locations are closing. Check www.madisonpubliclibrary.org for service updates.
Dane County Human Services offices are closed. Essential services are available online or by phone. Check here for details.
As of 3/16, all Joining Forces for Families (JFF) offices are closed but all workers are available by cell phone and email. Refer to this document for JFF worker contact information. JFF staff are working with community partners to help coordinate resources, identify needs, consult with other agency staff, and of course, respond to calls from families.
As of 3/16, the Southern Regional Center of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs is open, but staff are working remotely. You may call 608-265-8610 or 800-532-3321 and leave a message. If you could spell out your email address in your message, that will help us to follow up with you more quickly. When we call back, we may call from a number that shows as blocked. If you cannot wait and have a more immediate need for health information and referral, you could call the Well Badger Resource Center at 800-642-7837.
As of 3/30, Briar Youth Patch has OPENED with social distancing protocols and can house homeless children from 12-17. Their 24 hour phone number is open for referrals and to provide help. 608-251-1126.
Some neighborhood centers have chosen to close. Warner Park Community Recreation Center on the north side of Madison closed on 3/16, with the exception of the NewBridge senior lunch program, which will close at 5pm on 3/18. Olbrich Gardens closed 3/16 at 4pm. News story here.
In-person jail visitation is currently suspended; inmates in the Dane County Jail will be offered two free 15 minute phone calls per week. Facebook update from Dane Co. Sheriff’s Office here.
Evictions and foreclosures are suspended in Wisconsin for 60 days; mortgage and rent payments/debts will still accrue. People in need can seek help from the Tenant Resource Center at 608-257-0006 x7.
- People able to give can give directly to the eviction prevention fund here.
Amazon has suspended shipping to its distribution warehouses anything not related to medical supplies or household staples through April 5th. Amazon is now prioritizing shipment in the following six categories: 1) baby products; 2) health and household (including personal-care appliances); 3) beauty and personal care; 4) grocery; 5) industrial and scientific; and 6) pet supplies. Retail deliveries are not currently impacted. Read more here.
National News That Affects You
National Tax Day has been moved to July 15, 2020.
Federal student loan payments are suspended through September 30th. This does not include private student loans or FFEL Loans. Here’s what you need to know.
You may be receiving a check/direct deposit from the federal government! A COVID-19 stimulus bill has been passed and signed at the national level. All Americans with annual incomes below $75,000 based on their most recent tax return (2018 or 2019) will get a check by mail or direct deposit for $1,200, and another $500 per child. You can use this calculator to get an estimate of your payment; article also contains FAQ. There may also be a $600/week stimulus package. Bills are constantly being amended and passed back and forth between House and Senate.
Click here for a large document by a local PhD with information about COVID-19 itself, and resources for finding reliable news about the virus.
Understanding the Virus and Protective Measures
What Does Social Distancing Mean?: Great resource with clear guidelines about what activities are recommended when practicing social distancing.
The Power of Social Distancing: Infographic that shows why social distancing is important for slowing the spread of disease.
Alternative greetings that don’t involve touch: Animated gif with ideas for how to acknowledge or greet others while still maintaining social distance.
Keeping the Home Safe: List of tips for keeping everyone healthy at home and what to do if a family member becomes ill so that other family members do not also get sick.
What to do if you are sick or have been exposed: From Public Health Dane County Madison.
Plain Language about COVID-19 By and For Individuals with Disabilities: Resource created by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Waisman Center that explains coronavirus information in a very easy to understand way. Useful for typically abled and disabled individuals. Also available en español.
Article about why play dates are not safe during disease outbreaks: From a pediatrician who explains how to minimize disease exposure and why it’s so important to significantly cut back or stop play dates during school closures.
Bats, Cats, and Coronaviruses: What You Need to Know About COVID-19: Informational webinar from the Simons Foundation that will deepen your understanding of our current pandemic.
COVID-19 Food Safety: Video that details how to keep food safe during COVID-19.
Understanding “Flatten the Curve”: Helpful information and infographics from MoveOn.org.
