Barbara felt ecstatic in January when a Wisconsin Department of Health Services letter confirmed that she and her parents were eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. The 28-year-old education student lives with her parents in Milwaukee. All three share caretaking duties for Barbara’s young child, who is on the autism spectrum. That unpaid work qualifies them as frontline health care personnel in Wisconsin’s vaccine rollout.
Last week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the statewide COVID-19 emergency order, meaning masks are no longer required in public spaces, at the state level. Local health officials in Sauk, Iowa and Richland counties were quick to respond with the importance of wearing masks, even without a mandate.
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), today announced everyone age 16 and over will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 5, 2021. Wisconsin currently leads the nation in being one of the most efficient vaccinators for getting available shots in arms. With increased vaccine supply and an accelerated vaccination pace in recent weeks, the state is able to push the eligibility date four weeks earlier than expected. “We knew all along our COVID-19 vaccination program would be a massive undertaking, and we’re proud Wisconsin is currently leading the country in these efforts and that we’re now able to give all Wisconsinites 16 and older the opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Gov. Evers.
This week marks one year since COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic. This edition of Valley Sentinel is dedicated to reflecting on the events of the past year. The edition includes stories on the effects of the virus, a look at the milestones we as a nation, state and tri-county area have marked and up-to-date information on COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations. Below are submitted experiences from members of the community and Valley Sentinel readers.
For Valley Sentinel’s “Year in COVID-19” edition, we reached out to health directors of Sauk, Iowa and Richland counties for reflection on the departments experiences and handling of COVID-19.
For just over a school year and a half, the River Valley School District has been faced with finding ways to provide education through virtual or socially distanced measures. The elementary music program has been no exception to that.
March 11 marks one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
COVID has led to some interesting proposals. Valley Sentinel recently talked with bar and restaurant owners about a proposed bill would allow establishments with “Class B” liquor licenses to sell mixed drinks and wine by the glass in tamper safe to-go containers to be consumed off the premises.
In keeping with Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) guidance, Sauk Prairie Healthcare is continuing to prioritize those age 65 or older for the COVID19 vaccine, while also serving as a vaccinator for educators and child care through the coordination of local health departments.
On Tuesday, President Joseph R. Biden announced that the US expects to have enough coronavirus vaccines for all adults by the end of May, two months earlier than anticipated.
On February 4, the Governor issued two orders: one declared an emergency; the other cited that emergency to mandate the wearing of face coverings to combat the spread of COVID-19. The order applies to people in enclosed spaces other than private homes, when persons outside their household are present, subject to about 16 other exceptions. The order may be enforced with a 200 dollar fine. This mask order expires on its own on March 20, or could be withdrawn or superseded before that. The state of emergency expires after 60 days but could be revoked by legislative action or by the governor, or could be extended by the legislature.