WITH STATE STAY AT HOME ORDER STRUCK DOWN, MAYOR BARRETT ANNOUNCES PROGRAM TO RESTART LOCAL BUSINESSES AND GET THEM UP AND RUNNING
Compiled by
MCJ Editorial Staff
Relief funds from the federal government will be used to assist established Milwaukee businesses as part of a recently unveiled city program to help them recover from COVID-19 -related setbacks.
“From the outset, we’ve been fully aware that we are in the midst of more than a public health crisis; we face an enormous economic crisis, affecting workers and business owners,” said Mayor Tom Barrett announcing the launch of the Milwaukee Business Restart Program.
“Our Business Restart program aims to help small Milwaukee employers get back on their feet as promptly as possible.”
The program is targeted at small businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The city will also support the restart of neighborhood businesses in all parts of Milwaukee.
The new city program comes on the heels of a new order created and issued by city of Milwaukee Health Department that prioritizes the health and safety of residents.
The order was created based on recommendations from public health officials. Health officials will work with local business owners to establish guidelines and safety measures to build the trust of patrons and minimize the spread of COVID-19.
“Everybody’s goal is to reopen the economy. But, we have seen what happened in other parts of this country and we have seen what has happened in other parts of the world, where you have had a rush to reopen things,” Barrett said.
“What you ended up with was more death and more suffering. And, that is exactly what we want to avoid.”
COVID-19 is present in every municipality across Milwaukee County, and public health experts warn that additional surges in cases, hospitalizations and deaths are a reality moving forward.
Social distancing has been a necessary step in allowing health care systems to build capacity increase testing and tracing and develop a plan for moving forward.
In the order, city health officials have also fashioned a plan that will be the foundation of Restart Milwaukee, called “Moving Milwaukee Forward.”
In developing “Moving Milwaukee Forward,” health officials considered the following criteria:
- The rate of spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin
- The health care capacity to meet the needs of the state
- The testing, contact tracing, and isolation capacity in the state
- The availability of personal protective equipment for health care workers, first responders, and other public servants that are required to perform face-to-face services; and the economic needs of Wisconsin and Wisconsinites.
The new city restart program and health plan comes almost a week after a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling overturning the state’s “Stay-at-Home” order, which the court called “unlawful” and “unenforceable.”
The “Stay-at-Home” order was issued state-wide on March 24 by Gov. Tony Evers. The order shut down all economic, educational and social activity in the state accept for those businesses and government services deemed essential, such as doctors, nurses, police, firefighters, and food store employees working at stores still open during the shut-down.
But Republican state legislators filed a lawsuit against Evers’ administration, claiming it overstepped its authority when the state Department of Health Services (DHS) extended the Stay-at-Home order to May 26.
At the time of the court decision, Evers said the ruling put Wisconsin in a state of chaos.
“Now we have no plan and no protections for the people of Wisconsin,” he said.
Barrett’s response to the court order was to reinforce to residents the city’s commitment to continue the city’s “stay-at-home” order that it issued the day before the state’s, which also prohibited public gatherings, restaurants, and bar operations.
Since the court ruling, city government officials have been working collaboratively with the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and will provide city grants to businesses so they can restock perishable inventory, purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), and accommodate social distancing guidance.
The city anticipates disbursing grants in the coming weeks, and, rather than a first-come-first-served application process, proposals from eligible businesses will be considered over an extended period of time.
Details of the program are being finalized, including the application process, the size of the grants, and the total amount of founds available. Specifics of the restart program will be unveiled soon.
All residents are encouraged to remain diligent in following guidelines to decrease the spread of COVID-19: staying home with family, wash hands and surfaces often, keep six feet or more away from others in public spaces, not meet in groups of any size and cover your nose and mouth with a mask or cloth.
Updated information on prevention, outreach and key statistics related to COVID-19 can be found at Milwaukee.gov/Coronavirus.
Sources: CNN, press released from the offices of Milwaukee city mayor, city of Milwaukee Health Department
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