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Home Madison Mon & Tues Round Up – May 4 & 5

Mon & Tues Round Up – May 4 & 5

By
Brenda Konkel
-
round up

A round up of round ups and updates to from the city and county.

Konkel’s Musings

The Cap Times submitted an open records request the morning of Jan. 17, the deadline for residents to submit feedback through an online form, asking for “any and all public feedback on the Madison Metropolitan School District superintendent finalists, submitted online or via forms at the public forums, as of 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17.”

In late February, the district initially denied the request entirely, citing concerns about privacy and limiting people’s willingness to participate in future public input opportunities. The Cap Times said it was going to run a story about the denial and asked for comment, and the decision was reversed. The records took nearly two more months to deliver as staff redacted names and emails from the forms and then the pandemic delayed that work.

ALDER ROUND UP 5/5/20

For Alder Blogs:

COVID-19 Information Update 5/5/20

As of May 5 at 9:30 am, there are 444 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Dane County.

  • Read our recommendations and guidance for ways to stay safe and healthy. Our FAQ page has additional information for common questions about testing, and ways to help.
    • When you leave home, assume that you will come into contact with COVID-19. Stay home so you don’t increase your likelihood of getting sick, and you reduce the risk of getting others sick too. All community members should be monitoring themselves for symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) and isolating themselves from others as soon as they develop these symptoms. Our fact sheet pdf  has more information.
    • You can still go outside if you’re alone or with your household members. Remember to practice social distancing if you see others. So go for a bike ride, walk your dog, and play in the yard–just do so safely!
  • See past news releases on our news page.
  • For the statewide picture, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services outbreaks page .

Information for Alders:

No update at this time.

In the news today, 05/05:

STATE/LOCAL

o   Madison commission approves demolishing landmark building:https://bit.ly/3c6CEmn

o   Madison Landmarks Commission gives first nod to Capitol Square project:https://bit.ly/2yk5EZb

ALDER ROUND UP 5/4/20

For Alder Blogs:

COVID-19 Information Update 5/4/20

The latest weekly data snapshot is now live! In this issue, our data team shares the latest testing data, as well as updates for cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

From Streets:

For the first time in Madison, food scraps recycling will be available at all three of the Streets Division drop-off sites.

This is a special voluntary recycling program available only at the drop-off sites.

This program will begin accept appropriate food scraps today, May 4, 2020. The program is scheduled to last until October 31, 2020.

What food scraps can be recycled at the drop-off sites?
Residents who wish to participate should follow the rules outlined on the food scraps recycling guide PDF available at the Streets Division’s website and available for pickup at the Streets Division’s drop-off sites.

Residents choosing to participate must bring in the correct food scraps without contamination to be recycled.

Staff will monitor the food scraps containers. The ones that contain the wrong material will instead be dumped into a trash truck and hauled to the landfill.

The food scraps program will only be able to succeed if the correct material is delivered to the processor.

What is banned from food scraps recycling?
There are two useful tools to use when determining what can and cannot be recycled in this program.

You can consult the food scraps recycling guide PDF  available for download on the Streets Division’s website and paper copies are available at the drop-off sites.

And you can use the Betterbin web app . Betterbin allows you to search for food scraps to learn if it can be placed into the cart or not.

Below are some of the items not allowed in the food scraps program:

  • Food packaging is banned – including packaging that advertises itself as compostable.
  • Cups, take-out boxes, cutlery, or any similar item, even if they are labeled as compostable, are not allowed.
  • Plastic, metal, glass, or any other non-compostable material are not allowed. This includes produce stickers, rubber bands, plastic wrap, twist ties, and similar items.
  • Pet waste from any pet, including backyard chickens, is not allowed.
  • Diapers are not allowed.
  • Egg shells, bones, corn cobs, corn husks, and similar material that is hard or fibrous cannot be placed into the food scraps cart.

www.cityofmadison.com/FoodScraps

On Monday, May 4, Streets Division collection crews completed the spring yard waste collection rounds.

Residents should not place yard waste to the curb at this time.

Rather than placing yard waste to the curb, residents can take the material to one of the Streets Division drop-off sites. Residents may also want to try composting or mulching grass clippings into their lawn.

The drop-off sites for yard waste are located at 1501 W. Badger Rd, 4602 Sycamore Ave, and 402 South Point Rd.

Due to the pandemic, the drop-off sites are open new hours and there are additional restrictions.

The sites are open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 3:00pm and Saturday 9:00am to 4:00pm. Residents are expected to have their vehicles unloaded and then exit from the facility by the closing time. In order to achieve this, the last vehicle will be let into the site 10 minutes before the posted closing time. Others will be asked to return another day.

Only two vehicles will be allowed into the unloading area at a single time. This is to help residents maintain appropriate social distance from each other and Streets Division staff.

As a result, residents using the sites should anticipate long lines and wait times.

Information for Alders:

From the Governor:

Gov. Tony Evers announced today the state’s plan to make Wisconsin one of the top states in testing per capita, in addition to already being one of the top states in COVID-19 testing capacity. Gov. Evers shared that Wisconsin is prepared to provide 85,000 COVID-19 tests per week, ensuring that everyone in the state who needs a test receives a test. To date, the state has provided over 60,000 tests to hospitals, clinics, local public health, long term care facilities, and other community partners. Fifty-seven of Wisconsin’s 72 counties have requested and are receiving testing supplies from this program.

Council leadership is scheduled to meet with the Mayor on Wednesday. Please let me know by noon tomorrow if there are any items that you would like to see on the agenda.

In the news today, 05/04:

STATE/LOCAL

MADISON LIBRARY CURB SIDE SERVICE

Dear friends and neighbors,
Madison Public Library system will begin offering curbside service on May 11. Additionally, a reference phone line will now allow you to reach a live librarian. The Isthmus summed it all up nicely:
Books go curbside
Dane County libraries improvise in response to loosened safer-at-home provisions

Regards,
Heidi
Assistant Librarian
Hawthorne Public Library

ALDER WEEKLY UPDATE FROM EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

Alders,

Below are the activities from the EOC:

Logistics:

Logistics activity continues to center around the acquisition of Personal Protection Equipment, PPE. Most of it has been very difficult to find and acquire. Some products such as the N95 mask are nearly impossible to find. The products in high demand still include isolation gowns, gloves, N95 masks and hand sanitizer. KN95 masks, the Chinse version of the N95, has become more prevalent and we have been able to acquire modest amounts of them.

Surgical and disposable masks are currently available and have been able to acquire adequate numbers at this time.

Prices continue to be higher than what was typical prior to the outbreak of the virus.

Some shipments continue to be delayed or redirected to places of higher need such as hospitals. It is also common knowledge that the Federal Government has commandeered shipments of PPE when they are in route to their destination.

The City has been the recipient of several donations of masks from local organizations including three from Chinse American groups. The masks include KN95s and various surgical masks.

Joint Information Center:

  • Two Hmong-language videos have been produced and are slated to be posted to the Hmong-language COVID-19 website this week. One video is a broad summary of City service changes. The other video reiterates the recommendations of Public Health under the extended Safer At Home orders.
  • We have been planning for the announcement of the state Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Safer At Home orders and the immediate messaging that will take place after the court’s decision is announced.
  • New webpages were developed (in English and Spanish) to allow people to read past issues of the new COVID-19 newsletter.
  • We are working behind the scenes to create a better, more user-friendly webpage to answer frequently asked questions about City services.

Finance:

Finance Section 5/4/2020

Total costs through 5/1/2020 — $3,729,047

Personnel — $2.650,365 (71%; OT — $172,952 – 7%)

Non-personnel — $1,078,682 (29%)

Graph on expenditures attached.

Planning:

Working on staff reallocation and RESJI and Equity Tools for the COVID-19 Response

Operations:

Continue to house and provide services for about 330 homeless people.  The Warner overnight shelter is working well.  Still seeing about 80 people per night.

Implemented a face covering policy for all city staff.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Steven A. Davis – Fire Chief, City of Madison Fire Department

COVID-19 OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE 5/5

This is a follow-up to the conference call hosted by Dane County Emergency Management Monday, May 4 Briefing.

There are a couple of items to add to the information presented on the call this afternoon.

  • Dane County has increased funding for small businesses impacted by the pandemic to $10.8 Million. A copy of the County Executive’s press release is attached.
  • Sun Prairie EMS can be contacted directly to coordinate UV decontamination of PPE. Contact Sun Prairie EMS Chief Brian Goff by phone at (608) 825-1135 or email bgoff@cityofsunprairie.com
  • The next steps to sign up for Wisconsin’s Battelle N95 decontamination system have been published in a Wisconsin Department of Health Services bulletin – https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIDHS/bulletins/289bcb5

Public Health Madison and Dane County (PH).

  • 444 confirmed cases-Dane County (7,965-State),  22 deaths-Dane County (339-State), 12,445 tested-Dane County
  • CDC released a statement updating guidance/criteria for releasing individuals who were tested positive. 3 days without a fever, 10 days of isolation after release.
  • Public information release from UW on providing testing. Having one symptom would be sufficient for approval for testing. This may prompt more folks to seek a test from their provider.
  • Testing is a critical aspect of moving forward and gaining some normalcy to our lives.

o   Public Health is working with DCEM, National Guard, and State Public Health on public testing clinic at Alliant Center. Conversations continue on community testing. This goes beyond a one-time testing event, regardless of the venue. Includes more testing in general. Ensuring everyone who wants or needs a test can access that through various venues. Includes folks who are uninsured or do not have a regular medical provider. Must provide access to all residents of Dane County. This is the goal of community testing. National Guard has been requested to support multiple community testing sites throughout the state. (Requests go through county EOC to State EOC.) Have to consider HIPPA and safety at the site. Can’t plan for a “one-time” testing site. In a small community testing 100-200, it may have an impact, but in Dane County the demand is much larger. Testing for COVID 19 is not a one and done. There may need to be multiple tests for confidence. An individual may test negative one day and then be exposed the next day. An on-going, sustained testing program is needed for community testing to be successful.

Comment:

Reviewing the public health dashboard and noted the large numbers of tests that have been conducted.

PH Response: Over 300 tests per day (on average). This is very good, but compared to the total population, we are only scratching the surface. We need to ensure everyone has access.

Question:

Cleaning out schools at end of school year. Any update on allowing staff in to clean out schools?

PH Response: PH will have to get back on a response to that as there have been numerous changes.

Curbside pickup/drop off. Is there an allowance for any outdoor seating to make that allowable?

Public Health, does not believe it is allowed at this time, but will check. May be something that will be added. Outdoor seating is not permitted at this time. Wants to reduce the draw for larger groups of people to come to a designation. Example of one person picking up food v. bringing the whole family.

What is included with the numbers of people being tested daily? Does this include tests given by others (e.g., Exact Science, etc.)?

PH Response: Every time a medical provider conducts a test they are required to submit the test response to the State. A system is set up to track all of the tests being performed. All molecular tests are being reported.  Recently saw some information on recording serological tests. That is where PH get the numbers and they are reported according to where the person lives. Example, the UW may be testing many folks, and not all of those folks are recorded as Dane County, they are recorded according to where they live. Anyone who is performing testing must report results. It is an essential component of the testing process.

Are the results of the jail testing available publicly?

PH Response: There were over 1000 individuals tested between inmates and staff and there were only a handful of individuals who tested positive. The jail has a process of keeping inmates who are ill separated from those who are not infected. Ensuring they are keeping infections down.

How about another test method that is less invasive and faster?

PH Response: It is being looked at. Started with nasal/pharangeal swab. Looking at saliva, but unsure if those tests are available yet. Have to ensure the test methods are successful at capturing the virus if the person is infected.

Personal Protective Equipment Strategy (Sources, Conservation, Decontamination)

  • Great deal of the strategies around reopening involve testing, contact tracing, and PPE. Need to ensure that essential and outreach workers have the PPE to do their job. PPE is just as important to reopening as testing and contact tracing. An overall strategy is beginning to take place to reduce the use of PPE by modifying operations to reduce demand on PPE (e.g., do not use N95 if another type of mask works). Reduce/eliminate contact when possible.
  • A variety of strategies and guidelines being developed on reducing and reusing PPE. Unless PPE is damaged or soiled, it can be decontaminated and reused. Agencies and organizations should use their own procurement practices first and if that process is not working and PPE and attempts have been exhausted, then federal supplies can be requested through the county. Have disseminated information on requesting PPE. Requesting PPE through county is last resort -not the first resort for obtaining PPE. A sound strategy and has been effective.

Equipment decontamination

  • UV Light Systems in place at several locations.  Can be used for other systems beside N95. Sun Prairie EMS has a UV Light system for Decontamination.

o    Brian Goff, Sun Prairie EMS Director shared that SPEMS has been using the UV light system for about 2 weeks. Similar to what is being used at U of Nebraska. Have replicated the U of N process. Have a dedicated room where they can hang items and during Decon the UV light is applied to front and back. Whole process takes about 10 minutes. Have had success.

o   Some limitations – unable to isolate the facility so it is used only for this purpose. Do not have as stringent chain of custody that are used in Decon lines. Not decontaminating PPE that we know has been exposed to the virus. Have capacity to Decon other items (e.g., gear, duty belts, etc.). Hard to explain what the capacity is. May be able to do 500 masks a day. Willing to share the process.

Question:

SPEMS is listed on the state site as a resource. How does someone reach you?

Can you describe how this works?

  • UV Light has to contact the virus to kill it. If there is an area where there is a shadow cast, the item has to be repositioned. Have to get to all sides of the items. Some items they are avoiding (e.g., cardiac monitors).
  • SPEMS is asking folks who drop off items to be decontaminated to provide items in a receptacle such as a brown paper bag. Items are returned in a clean paper bag and the original is destroyed.
  • Specifically NOT TAKING items they know have been exposed to COVID 19. Will not take those.
  • SPEMS will work out drop off/pick up details case by case.

Battelle – https://www.battelle.org/inb/battelle-critical-care-decontamination-system-for-covid19  System coming to WI. Can decontaminate N95 masks up to 20 times. Details will be forthcoming.

  • N95 masks seem to be in short supply. Having the ability to decontaminate N95 masks helps. There will be a system for sending masks to Battelle for decon. Shipping and Decon are offered at no cost to the users (paid through Federal Govt.).
  • Awaiting further information and details from Wisconsin Emergency Management.

Theola Carter – Manager of Policy and Program Improvement, The Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion (OEI) Department

5/4 OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION COVID-19 UPDATES

Public Health

  • Quiet this past weekend. 444 cases and 22 deaths. 12K test done in Dane County
  • CDC released new guidelines for persons to be released from isolation.

o   3 days no fever

o   Improved symptoms

o   10 days past beginning of illness or if asymptomatic 10 days passed the test date; previously it was 7 days past.  Extended by 3 days.

  • UW Health – efforts to complete more testing.  Even if a person experience one symptom – go get the test. approval from health provider.  Hoping to increase the number persons tested.
  • PH is working with national guard and other counties have asked for assistance from the Guard, state and county emergency management for the mass testing clinic at Alliant.  Still working to get up and running.  Want everyone who needs or wants one can access via various avenues.

o   Got comply with HIPPA

o   Have to be a place where people feel safe

o   Can’t simply plan for a 1 day event given the size of Dane County

o   Testing is not a one and done.   A person can be negative and then get exposed the next day

o   Hopefully the site will open soon.

PPE – Strategies/Guidelines

  • PPE refer to things like gowns, masks ( surgical and N95 ..etc)
  • Reusing equipment – toss if damaged or soiled.  Otherwise decontaminated or soiled.

o   Batell(sp) – sign up with them.  Decontaminate N95 masks up to 20 times.  Send equipment to them.  Batell will open, send equipment via process and send back.  Free of charge courtesy  of the federal government.  As soon as fact sheet and other information is available will send out.  Expecting the information within the next few days.

o   UV lighting  – Sun Prairie EMS is a regional center.  Been using the system for 2 weeks now.  Based off the University of Nebraska system.  Have had success.  They have an isolation room.  Mask placed in room UV light applied to it and hit all surface of it equipment.  UV light  kill contaminate.  Takes approximately 10 minute.  More information to come in the follow up

NO ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sources for Additional Information:

Theola Carter – Manager of Policy and Program Improvement

The Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion (OEI) Department

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