COVID-19 Pandemic Update for the Afternoon of March 24th: "Safer at Home" Order Goes Into Effect at 8am Wednesday Morn
Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 -- 2:30 PM
-We have a COVID-19 update for you this afternoon.As I mentioned earlier, Gov. Tony Evers issued an order Tuesday closing businesses deemed to be nonessential, ordered no gatherings of any size and placed restrictions on travel across Wisconsin for a month in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Evers’ order has numerous exceptions, including for hospitals and other health care facilities, grocery stores, bars and restaurants offering delivery and carry out food, airports and other businesses offering essential services. The order takes effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday and is to run through April 24, but could be altered, ended or extended.
As the Governor mentioned, Wisconsin residents will be able to go to the doctor and obtain medicine, leave home to care for family members and obtain necessary food and supplies, including pet food. Other businesses allowed to remain open include pharmacies, gas stations, banks, laundries and dry cleaners, hardware stores, churches, funeral homes and media outlets. And again, you can leave your homes and go for walk, work in the yard, ride a bike, walk the dog, etc, but practice social distancing when you do.
Governor Evers said one of the main reasons why he’s asking people to take this seriously is so we don’t infect our healthcare workers and don’t overwhelm our healthcare system. Health and Human Services Designee Andrea Palm provided updated numbers for the state. We’re seeing 8,237 negative cases, 457 positive cases and 5 deaths. Palm said that even though the numbers seem low, if we continue on the path we’re on, we could have over 22,000 people infected as soon as April 8th with anywhere from 800-1,000 deaths.
As of 2pm this afternoon, I wasn’t able to find any update statistics for Clark County, but, according to the health department, as of 9:30am Monday, Clark County has no positive cases, 11 negative results and 13 are still awaiting their results. However, health officials have stated it’s a matter of “when” and not “if” especially considering it has been detected in most of our neighboring counties including Wood, Marathon, Eau Claire and Chippewa.
Some other information, people seem to be confused by this, but Snietamn Pharmacy in Neillsville has changed its procedures for filling prescriptions. The Lobby of Snietman Pharmacy is closed. But, they are still serving their customers and filling prescriptions and they have several options for you to do so, which include curbside delivery, delivery within city limits and they can mail your prescription. Please call the pharmacy at 715-743-3500 for more info.
Also, just a reminder that Marshfield Clinic Health Systems is restricting visitors to the hospital. There are no visitors allowed into the hospital, with a few exceptions and those exceptions will need to go through a screening before they’re allowed in.
Also, Marshfield Clinic Health System is reaching out to their local communities and asking for help in getting facemasks for their patients and workers. Christie Country Quilts in Neillsville is acting as a drop off location for those masks. If you can sew, Christie Country Quilts also has information on their Facebook page on how you can sew masks for hospitals and clinics. This can be an excellent way to give back to the community if you’re quarantined or self-isolating.
Finally, as the Governor and health officials stated during their press conference. People need to take this seriously. This falls on all of us. If people don’t take this seriously, things are going to get much worse. As they mentioned, we could see over 22,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 by April 8th if we continue on our current path. The sooner you follow the guidance of the CDC and the state, the sooner we can get Wisconsin back open for business and get things back to normal. But you must take this seriously. We must put aside petty partisan politics and work together. This is a trying time, but we will get through it with the right mindset and if we work together and help each other along during these difficult times. But above all, stay calm, buy your groceries one week at a time like always and take care of yourself.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.