APPLETON, Wis. – Local health organizations, officials and community leaders are calling on Northeast and Central Wisconsin residents to maintain their active role in slowing the spread of COVID-19. ThedaCare and Ascension Wisconsin, in conjunction with public health officials and community leaders, have launched Be Safe Wisconsin to encourage community members’ ongoing commitment to flattening the COVID-19 curve.
“We are working with data scientists to track and forecast the impact of COVID-19 locally and the data is showing us that we can significantly flatten our curve when everyone commits to social distancing and other safe behaviors,” said Dr. Imran Andrabi, ThedaCare President and CEO. “Today, and we believe for some time into the future, some form of social distancing must be a focus. If we keep up this commitment to staying home whenever possible, keeping our distance and practicing good hygiene, we can together drive our COVID-19 reality and save lives.”
Be Safe Wisconsin asks residents to continue flattening the COVID-19 curve by:
- Continuing to adhere to Governor Evers’ Safer at Home Order as long as it is in place.
- Practicing good hygiene, including hand washing and sanitizing.
- Avoiding touching their face.
- Disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces, including mobile devices.
- Continuing to use face masks when in public places.
- Remaining at least 6 feet apart from others and wearing a mask or face covering if they must absolutely go out.
The effort has a dedicated website – www.BeSafeWisconsin.org – where residents can take the Be Safe pledge, sign up for updates, download social media graphics for sharing and access local resources from Be Safe partners such as online symptom checkers, community hotlines and more.
In the coming weeks and months, the actions necessary to be safe will evolve to reflect the pandemic’s effects on our region. As testing becomes more available and processes for contact-tracing and subsequent isolation of those infected are built out, we expect to see a series of shifts in the behaviors we will need to undertake. Be Safe Wisconsin serves as a unified resource to area residents to stay updated on the latest precautions to take to be safe and reduce the spread of infections.
“As individual health care systems, we have already taken several steps to prepare for an expected surge, including deferring non-urgent procedures, implementing visitor restrictions, creating respiratory clinics and adding capacity for additional patients,” explained Bernie Sherry, Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Wisconsin. “We know that as this situation evolves and we navigate this journey, we must amplify the importance of a sustained commitment to safe behaviors, and this requires every Wisconsin resident to do their part.”
“Wisconsin has a population that embodies community and steps up when people need it most,” echoed Tim Bergstrom, President and Chief Operating Officer of Bergstrom Automotive. “Be Safe Wisconsin serves as a driver to communicate clearly how we can all help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support our health care workers and first responders as they care for patients. Be Safe Wisconsin will quickly become a proven model and an example for others around the nation.”
To learn more about Be Safe Wisconsin and how you can take part in flattening the curve, visit www.BeSafeWisconsin.org.
Partner agencies involved:
Ascension Wisconsin, Bergstrom Automotive, Calumet County Public Health, City of Oshkosh, City of Neenah, Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Outagamie County, ThedaCare, United Way Fox Cities, Winnebago County
