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On Tuesday, citing the “near-exponential” growth in COVID-19 cases across the state, Gov. Tony Evers extended his statewide mask order to Nov. 21. In the latest order, Evers notes that infections among young adults have skyrocketed as schools, colleges and universities have reopened. The order cites several sobering statistics:
— 70 outbreak investigations in K-12 schools are underway;
— 71 out of 72 counties have high disease activity, defined as a combination of disease burden and growth, compared with 61 counties on July 29;
— Eight of the 20 cities with the fastest increase of COVID-19 cases in the United States are in Wisconsin: La Crosse, Whitewater, Green Bay, Beaver Dam, Oshkosh, Platteville, Appleton and Madison.
Also Tuesday, the United States tallied another grim milestone: More than 200,000 pandemic deaths.
Top Stories
Tony Evers extends expiring statewide mask order another 60 days, pushing mandate to Nov. 21 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In Manitowoc, Biden rips Trump over COVID-19 response as cases surge in Wisconsin — WPR
UW-Madison fires back at Dane County for proposing online classes, sending students home — Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: House-to-house trick-or-treating ‘is not recommended’ — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
La Crosse city clerk, Gov. Tony Evers sued by fired poll worker over mask mandate — La Crosse Tribune
County COVID-19 caseload pushes Fort Atkinson School District to online learning — Wisconsin State Journal
Rock County to issue mask order if state order expires — Wisconsin State Journal
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Quotable
“Wisconsin is in the midst of a pandemic that is growing at a near-exponential rate, causing illness and death that is devastating Wisconsin families, straining our health care system, and crippling our economy.”
— Emergency order issued Tuesday by Gov. Tony Evers Tuesday extending the statewide mask requirement to Nov. 21.
Food access trouble?
We know that when classes are virtual, many Wisconsin students and families lose access to food schools provide. And as the school year starts, some meal sites are closing. Share your experience with News414, Wisconsin Watch’s service journalism collaboration with Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Outlier Media. Click here for details.
You can also view a list of Milwaukee-area food distribution sites for students here.
Data to note
The office of Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday released these charts in support of extending his statewide mask order. The first graphic shows the rapid growth in COVID-19 infections among 18- to 24-year olds. The second shows that the level of transmission is high in all but one Wisconsin county.
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.
‘I don’t want our block to become a transmission point’: The pandemic will change neighborhood trick-or-treat — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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