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April 10, 2020
Dear readers, |
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The work of our members and affiliates at the Wisconsin Technology Council in response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be nothing short of impressive. Three examples below illustrate the breadth and scope of such work.
As coronavirus cases continue to spread, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin is collecting convalescent plasma donations for possible use in treating COVID-19 patients. It’s an investigational therapy that could be used with patients most severely affected by the virus. The plasma treatment, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an Emergency Investigational New Drug, would transfer the antibodies that the recovered patient created into critically ill patients. Read more here. Our Versiti board member is Dan McQuary.
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, or CHIME, is the professional organization for chief information officers and other senior healthcare IT leaders around the world. Tech Council board member Jonathan Fritz is CHIME’s chief innovation officer. Courtesy of Fritz, we invite you to take part in a survey being distributed in 20 languages around the world with the help of CHIME and Penn State University. You don’t have to be a part of the healthcare profession to take the survey. Access the 15 min survey here.
The COVID-19 Situational Awareness Update was developed by the Wisconsin Hospital Association Information Center in collaboration with the Department of Health Services. This dynamic dashboard is expected to have additional enhancements over the coming days/weeks. Eric Borgerding, president and CEO of the WHA, is our board member and also co-founder of the Wisconsin Healthcare Business Forum.
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Stay tuned for announcements about virtual Tech Council webinars on COVID-19 issues of interest to our members and others.
Do you have news or best practices to contribute to a future edition of Tech Council Current?
Contact Laura@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com
Sincerely,
Tom Still, president
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Aberdean Consulting is hosting several webinars to enhance the remote working environment safety:
Fast Track to using Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, April 14
Remote Office/Home Office Personal Security Discussion on Thursday, April 16
WARF's Crossroads of Ideas webinar (first of three-part series) will feature health experts to highlight how UW-Madison has been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday, April 14
Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs is hosting a virtual lunch designed for networking and mentoring on Thursday, April 16.
Join UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies for their Earth Day Conference on Monday, April 20
Baker Tilly is offering a series of coronavirus-related business concerns (registration for all):
From survival to recovery: Shielding your supply chain from COVID-19 on Wednesday, April 15
A briefing on coronavirus-related tax relief on Wednesday, April 22
Crisis, continuity and recovery: A real-time enterprise risk workshop on Wednesday, April 29
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- WEDC Small Business 2020 Program: Assistance will be available to Wisconsin-based Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) List of All 23 CDFIs in Wisconsin to provide grants to their existing loan clients to help mitigate business-related cash flow issues in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Approved CDFIs will make program grants (up to $20,000) available to for-profit businesses meeting the following: criteria: Current loan recipient in good standing as of 3/1/20 with the approved CDFI (or its collaborating CDFIs);20 or fewer PT/FT employees; Greater than $0 but less than $2 million in annual revenues; and, preference should be given to service and retail businesses
- (updated) Gov. Evers’ office has launched a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government, including:
COVID-19 Volunteer Program
Religious Gatherings and Services
DVA Assistance to Needy Veterans Program
- The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this helpful Frequently Asked Questions document.
- WEDC has compiled a comprehensive overview of their resources along with state and federal resources to assist Wisconsin citizens aimed at maintaining the viability of the companies upon which our economy depends.
- Report any scams or price gouging to Wisconsin Department of Justice: If you suspect fraud or a scam, Attorney General Kaul suggests filing a complaint online at datcp.wi.gov.
- Small Business Administration (SBA) has guidance for businesses, and is offering low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) for businesses and non-profits impacted by coronavirus
- Centers for Disease Control: Coronavirus latest updates
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Wisconsin
- The FDIC has provided guidance to banking institutions and consumers affected by COVID-19 and encouraged financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers and customers in affected communities.
- The Department of Labor has issued guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements.
- NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers are providing services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers such as connecting businesses that are pivoting their production in response to the coronavirus to new supply chains, connecting firms with state resources, advising companies on new operational issues, and providing workforce support.
- COMPTIA offers eight cybersecurity tips for working remotely
- Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent project to help those displaced from jobs and employers now hiring
- (new) The Department of the Defense has established the Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) for COVID-19 to assess and rapidly respond to challenges presented by this pandemic. They are collecting information from both government and non-government personnel who are interested in getting involved. All resources and solutions are welcome from industry, academia, venture capital firms, individual contributors and more. Request information here.
- (new) Wisconsin Hospital Association released a COVID-19 dynamic Situational Awareness Update
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Move to online schools offers students chance to enter ‘Wisconsin YES!’ business plan contest
The
closing of schools across Wisconsin due to the COVID-19 epidemic means
teachers and students will pursue instruction opportunities online in
the coming weeks. One useful tool readily available for middle- and
high-school students is the Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science, or
Wisconsin YES!, contest. Public, private and home-schooled students
across Wisconsin are eligible to turn their science- and tech-related
ideas into business plans and compete for cash and prizes. This
free, statewide youth business plan contest is modeled after the
successful Governor’s Business Plan Contest. It is open for online
entries from Wisconsin middle- and high-school students through 5 p.m.
April 13, 2020.
The contest begins with a 250-word summary submitted through WisconsinYES.com.
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Stay on top of the real-time news coming out of the Tech Council.
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Milwaukee Business Journal: Data available next week on when to relax social distancing in Wisconsin: Medical College CEO
WisBusiness: In-person voting expected to contribute to spread of COVID-19
BizWomen: Where women business owners can turn for COVID-19 financial help
Wisconsin State Journal: Madison startup Digsite finds new clients as COVID-19 pandemic forces research online
WisPolitics: The state Assembly plans to meet Tuesday to take up legislation addressing the COVID-19 pandemic
CapTimes: Madison School District offers guidelines for staff on how to keep Zoom secure for direct instruction
Urban Milwaukee: See Wisconsin’s hospital usage with new dashboard
BizWomen: Pandemic job cuts taking greater toll on women
Milwaukee Business Journal: Meet 8 Milwaukee small businesses grappling with nearly impossible decisions during pandemic
DWD Releases total number of new applications, weekly claims, and monetary amount distributed for unemployment benefits
CapTimes: Four weeks after emergency declaration, Wisconsin leaders still working on COVID-19 relief bill
New York Times: Outcry over racial data grows as virus slams black Americans
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View Tom Still's InsideWis full archives by clicking here. |
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View The Show full archives by clicking here.
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(new) WI Health Connect: Think you may have COVID-19? Free, confidential over-the-phone screening now available.
Live dashboard with QUICK NUMBERS and FACTS on the IMPACT of COVID-19
View UW-Madison’s COVID-19 top updates, plans and response.
IdeaAdvance: Get your idea off the ground: Learn more about this $75,000 seed fund.
Newance is offering free “Office Hours” for business leaders: Reach out to Amanda Daering.
Fiveable offers free AP assistance, the exams through CollegeBoard are scheduled for at-home and online in May.
Access Microsoft’s efforts to help teams work remotely and navigate online.
Michael Best has formed a COVID-19 Task Force to address business and legal implications.
Reinhart’s Coronavirus Resource Center includes the impact of HR 6201 on employees.
BDO monitors the latest COVID-19 business impacts and regulatory updates.
Wisconsin Veteran’s Chamber of Commerce: Member guide, understanding COVID-19 and how to plan.
Learn more about Epic tools that can help you and your organization treat and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
WIPLFi: Information to help businesses and individuals weather the coronavirus.
Quarles & Brady has created a resource of COVID-19 articles that impact clients and businesses.
Click here to sign up for the WisPolitics/WisBusiness daily healthcare report.
gener8tor is working in conjunction with AmFam Institute to host emergency one-week virtual programs for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Husch Blackwell explores issues at the intersection of law and public health emergencies.
TASC is making its expertise and emergency benefits accounts available for free to Dane County employees in 2020.
Neider & Boucher provides their clients with the necessary focus to help define and reach their goals during COVID-19.
UW-Madison’s CROWE researchers track and analyze the economic impact of COVID-19 in Wisconsin and beyond.
WMC launched a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Resource Center and Employer Toolkit.
Godfrey & Kahn’s COVID-19 Resource Center provides timely insights on the unique legal challenges and business implications created by the pandemic.
Baker Tilly’s Coronavirus Resource Center: how an unplanned event such as the COVID-19 outbreak can affect your organization, employees, customers and suppliers.
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Please contact Angela Schlobohm, development & member relations director:
angela@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com or 608-442-7557.
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