The COVID-19 pandemic has reached U.S. shores and is touching all aspects of daily life in Wisconsin, including businesses in the tech community. To provide information to thousands of Tech Council Current readers, we will offer periodic updates and roundups on what’s happening in Wisconsin and beyond. We especially want to hear about your own “best practices” and how you are dealing with COVID-19 in your businesses and workplaces. Feel free to send news releases, company statements and other ideas for consideration to laura@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.

Here’s an update on the Wisconsin Tech Summit, which was reformatted from its live, March 16 setting at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field to a series of video and teleconferences between participating major companies and emerging companies. Many of those virtual #WisTechSummit meetings took place Monday, with early participants reporting smooth encounters.

As we collectively hunker down to minimize the COVID-19 threat, let’s stay physically and emotionally healthy. We’ll come out stronger on the other end. 

Sincerely,

Tom Still, president

CORONAVIRUS AND OUR TECH COMMUNITY:

InsideWis: For business dealing with coronavirus effects, it’s mostly new territory
NBC15: State Emergency Operations Center elevates to Level 1 response
CDC issues interim guidelines for businesses: Read the latest here.
WMTV: Public Service Commission tells utility companies to suspend disconnections
Wisconsin State Journal: Tony Evers bans gatherings of 50 or more people statewide in effort to slow spread of COVID-19
TMJ4: ‘This is just the beginning’: How a top WI doctor wants us to work together to stop the spread
WBAY: Millions holed up at home as U.S. routines shift profoundly; volunteer gets 1st vaccine test shot
Stevens Point Journal: Spectrum offering free access to broadband and Wi-Fi for students without access for 60 days
Wisconsin State Journal: 'A devastating impact': Local Madison businesses navigate the COVID-19 pandemic
InsideWis: Can Wisconsin help combat coronavirus? Perhaps, in time
Scale Up Milwaukee: What you can do to help local businesses continue to thrive from the comfort of your own home
USA Today: Is Zoom ready for most of America to work online?

Not that it was high on your ‘Coronacation’ list, but….
Starting March 16, the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District will be closed to visitors to prevent the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19. The district has suspended all tours at the plant.

WISCONSIN and FEDERAL RESOURCES:

• Centers for Disease Control: Coronavirus latest updates

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Wisconsin

• Live dashboard with QUICK NUMBERS and FACTS on the IMPACT of COVID-19

• WMTV15: Wisconsin schedule changes for events, cities, school and universities.

• UHaul offers 30 days free self-storage for college students amid coronavirus outbreak

• Newance is offering free HR “Office Hours” for any business owners or leaders who may not have HR and/or need to talk through remote management, morale or any other People Ops concerns. Click here to reach out to Amanda Daering via Calendly.

• Fiveable offers free AP assistance while in-person “Advanced Placement” high school classes aren’t in session. AP exams through CollegeBoard are still scheduled for May. Click here to see how you can learn more.

• Report any scams or price gouging to Wisconsin Department of Justice: If you suspect fraud or a scam, Kaul suggests filing a complaint with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at datcphotline@wisconsin.gov, by calling 800-422-7128, or online at datcp.wi.gov.