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Nationwide mass gatherings following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis are stirring concerns that the spread of COVID-19 will accelerate, but a host of public health experts and groups say that the issue being protested — systemic racism and police brutality against people of color — is also damaging to public health.
Today we highlight a story by Madeline Heim, a former Wisconsin Watch intern who now reports for the Appleton Post Crescent.
“There have been no statewide limits on large gatherings since Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home order ended May 13, though experts still recommend social distancing and nearly 3,000 newly confirmed cases have been announced since Memorial Day,” Heim reports. “But the protests will likely continue. So epidemiologists want to give attendees the tools they need to be safe, and pressure leaders and law enforcement to protect the health of those who show up and speak out.”
We also draw your attention to the latest installment of our Outbreak Wisconsin collaboration with WPR. Adija Greer-Smith, an entrepreneur and baker, offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to run a small business in Milwaukee during the pandemic.
Top Stories
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Protesters during a Black Lives Matter march and rally on Saturday, May 30, 2020, at Houdini Plaza in Appleton, Wis. Protests have been happening across the country this week, after George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed Monday by a white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck while arresting him.Protests defy coronavirus guidelines, but health experts say engagement is ‘essential.’ Here’s how protesters and police can reduce risk. — Appleton Post Crescent
Introducing Milwaukee entrepreneur and baker Adija Greer-Smith: ‘I’ve poured my life into this business’ — WPR/Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin’s new cases of coronavirus tick back up with more testing, continuing recent trend of ebbs and flows — USA Today Network — Wisconsin
Unemployment group demands special session in letter to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos — WTMJ-TV
From growing more spiritual to becoming more focused on erasing health inequities: Catching up with two COVID-19 survivors — Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Aurora St. Luke’s team develops faster heart ultrasound procedure for COVID-19 patients — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Summer school to be mostly online In Wisconsin amid COVID-19 concerns — WPR
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Government updates
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention
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Live coverage from USA Today-Wisconsin reporters
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Quotable
Maimuna Majumder, Faculty at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, via Twitter:
As an epidemiologist, I’m well aware that the #MinneapolisUprising (in no small part due to police use of pepper spray) will increase #COVID19 risk. But #policebrutality has been a #publichealth problem for much longer than the #pandemic has, and this is a necessary action.
— Maia Majumder, PhD ✊???? (@maiamajumder) May 30, 2020
1/2 https://t.co/0YW8jYknKX
“Racism is a longstanding public health crisis that impacts both mental and physical health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this crisis and added to the stress in the black community, which is experiencing higher rates of infection and deaths.”
American Nurses Association (ANA) President Ernest J. Grant in a statement
“Police brutality in the midst of public health crises is not crime-preventive—it creates demoralized conditions in an already strained time. It exacerbates psychological harms and has a clear impact on bystanders.”
Dr. Jesse M. Ehrenfeld and Dr. Patrice A. Harris of the American Medical Association in a statement
Data to note
Wisconsin nursing homes have reported at least 413 COVID-19 cases and 72 related deaths among residents, preliminary federal data shows, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“The data, released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, show an additional 265 cases and 3 deaths among nursing home staff,” the newspaper reported.
Resilient Wisconsin
People helping others and showing resilience during this time of anxiety. Send suggestions by tagging us on social media — @wisconsinwatch — or emailing us: tips@wisconsinwatch.org.
Mother, daughter graduate together — Beloit Daily News
Bar’s blood drive will help more than 100 people, another to be held June 15 — Kenosha News
School nurses deliver meals to students, hope relief bill allows program to continue — WTMJ-TV
Door Posts: They Bring Me Hope — Door County Pulse
From Madison’s Short Stack Eatery
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The nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (wisconsinwatch.org) collaborates with Wisconsin Public Radio, PBS Wisconsin, other news media and the UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by the Center do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates.
