Ajay Sethi is an epidemiologist and associate professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Back To Basics: How Wisconsinites Can Stop The COVID-19 Spike From Worsening
Wisconsin Public Radio
Author: gbump
New Dane County order bans indoor gatherings, limits outdoor gatherings to 10 people
Wisconsin State Journal
Sporting events at UW-Madison, including Camp Randall Stadium, are exempt because state property is not subject to the county’s orders. Nevertheless, UW-Madison has put in place strict protocols for athletic events and doesn’t anticipate changing those in response to the new order, the university said in a statement.
Quinlan, Richard Charles
Wisconsin State Journal
Richard worked as a plumber for over 45 years, most recently at UW Hospital, where he retired in 2006.
UW study validates MGE climate goals, but activists want plan for carbon reduction
Wisconsin State Journal
Anew analysis by UW-Madison researchers finds Madison Gas and Electric’s goal of eliminating carbon emissions by mid century is in line with what will be needed to avoid the worst impact of climate change, but environmental activists want to see a plan for how the utility will hit its target.
Hershkowitz, Noah
Wisconsin State Journal
He was a Professor of Physics at the University of Iowa (1967-81), and a Visiting Professor at UCLA (1974-75) and the University of Colorado-Boulder (1980-81), before joining the University of Wisconsin faculty in 1981. He began his career in nuclear physics, but soon changed to plasma physics because “it looked like it would be more fun (and it was).” Not only did he make groundbreaking contributions to his chosen field, but he gained the respect and admiration of his colleagues, both as a physicist and a human being.
COVID-19 tied to mental illness diagnoses
WKOW
“For some people, for any number of reasons, the immune system kick that the virus causes then sets in motion long-lasting changes in how the brain works,” Dr. Charles Raison said Saturday. “It diminishes the brain’s ability to work effectively, and so you get all these symptoms.”
Video Games to Relax
The New York Times
Although the neuroscience of video gaming is not conclusive, there may be evidence that the benefits are not (pardon the phrase) just in your head. Recently, a group of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of California, Irvine developed Tenacity, a game with the goal of increasing mindfulness.
The Cities Central to Fraud Conspiracy Theories Didn’t Cost Trump the Election
New York Times
“From a partisan perspective, Trump’s vilification of cities makes no sense,” Barry Burden, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said in an email. “It has little to do with his loss in Wisconsin, which resulted mostly from small shifts in the white vote outside of the city, particularly the suburbs, Dane County, and other parts of Milwaukee County.”
Researchers Produce First Artificial Icequakes
Eos
“If we’d had a little seismometer on there, we probably would have seen the same types of things you see on seismometers placed on a real glacier,” said Luke Zoet, a glaciologist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and lead author of the new research. The results were published in AGU’s journal Geophysical Research Letters.
When will the 2020 election be certified?
Marketplace
“It culminates in having designated state officials provide a formal stamp of approval for the election,” said Robert Yablon, associate professor of law at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and expert on election law. Depending on the state, that official could be the secretary of state, an elections commission or a board of canvassers created for this purpose.
Fact Check: Can Republican State Legislatures Step In To Hand Donald Trump an Electoral College Victory?
Newsweek
“Direct appointment of electors by state legislatures is being discussed in some circles as an extreme measure, but is not actually a plausible scenario,” said Barry Burden, director of the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Growing Number Of UW Campuses Move Classes Online After Thanksgiving
Wisconsin Public Radio
A growing number of University of Wisconsin System campuses are moving classes online after the Thanksgiving break to prevent further spread of COVID-19, as hospitals around the state near capacity for new patients.
How To Have A Meaningful Holiday Season When You Can’t Gather In Person
Wisconsin Public Radio
Skipping those beloved traditions and not celebrating with family members and loved ones adds stress to what has already been a difficult year, said Shilagh Mirgain, a distinguished psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health.
Should college students get a COVID-19 test before heading home for the holidays? Some schools urge or even require it, but ‘it doesn’t give you a free pass’
Chicago Tribune
Dr. Jeffrey Pothof, an emergency medicine physician and chief quality officer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s health system, said exit testing can be helpful as long as students understand the limitations, stressing that a negative result “doesn’t give you a free pass” to act recklessly.
Students should take other preventive actions to avoid spreading the virus over the holidays. That means limiting social activity with groups, wearing face coverings and social distancing as much as possible, Pothof and others said.
Thousands Await Jobless Aid As Wisconsin Leaders Blame Each Other For Failure
Wisconsin Public Radio
“There are people who are talking about suicide. Because they’re just waiting and waiting — because the backlog is so bad,” said Victor Forberger, supervising attorney for the University of Wisconsin’s Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic, who has represented dozens of jobless clients during the pandemic.
UW Health shares quarantine and isolation recommendations
WISC-TV 3
UW Health is sharing more recommendations for safely quarantining today.
UW Health explains how to effectively quarantine, isolate
NBC-15
UW Health says quarantining is usually recommended in cases where someone may have been exposed to COVID-19. Isolating is recommended when someone already has a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and must stay away from people.
Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe start time announced
Wisconsin State Journal
The University of Wisconsin football team will host Minnesota for this year’s edition of the oldest and most-played rivalry in college football, with kickoff time set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. The game at Camp Randall Stadium will be televised on Big Ten Network.
Convalescent plasma donors needed as demand reaches new heights
NBC-15
UW-Health said at the moment, they have enough convalescent plasma to cover their current needs. “We’re managing as well as anyone can expect,” William Hartman, UW-Health principal investigator of covid-19 clinical trials said.
Column: Once released, COVID vaccine must become mandatory for all UW students
Badger Herald
As two vaccine trials make news this week, Wisconsin, UW need to create comprehensive plan to distribute vaccines effectively.
Madison to decriminalize cannabis, move does not affect UW students
Badger Herald
This ordinance has no effect on the UW campus, according to Verveer, and UW students found in possession of cannabis or related paraphernalia can be cited by the UW Police Department and face academic misconduct.
UW-Madison’s patent-licensing arm must pay at least $32 million to ex-research partner
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison’s patent-licensing arm “actively concealed” information from a former research partner and must pay back at least $32 million in patent royalties, a panel of federal appeals court judges ruled late last month.
Student employment, a constant amid campus changes in operations
Daily Cardinal
A lot has changed on campus this year due to the ongoing pandemic. The vast majority of classes are held virtually, residence halls have serious restrictions and there are little-to-no activities going on across campus. Student employment, though, is something that has remained a relative constant despite changes in specifics due to the nature of the pandemic.
COVID surge testing free of cost on UW campuses
Daily Cardinal
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has worked with 13 UW System campuses to implement “surge testing” sites following a donation of 250,000 BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests from health care company Abbott.
‘We’re going to be in trouble’: Wisconsin critically short on plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Early results from a clinical trial at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in July showed the plasma helped 94% of patients who were considered severely ill avoid having to go to intensive care or being placed on mechanical ventilation.
COVID-19 on campus: Midwest colleges, universities look to contain outbreaks
Wisconsin State Journal
Some universities in particularly hard-hit communities may be asking students who go home this month not to return until January. One of those is Wisconsin’s flagship university, the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
‘Unprecedented’ pace of COVID-19 drug development pushing Madison companies to expand
Wisconsin State Journal
FluGen, which has been working with research from UW-Madison for years on developing a universal flu vaccine — one that wouldn’t have to be updated each year, as the flu shot is now — is incorporating a coronavirus vaccine into its plans, though president and CEO Paul Radspinner said there is no timeline for getting the vaccine to human studies as of yet.
Wisconsin football’s return from COVID-19 outbreak hiatus a balancing act
Wisconsin State Journal
The University of Wisconsin football season to this point has felt like rush-hour traffic on the Beltline. Start and stop. Slowly get moving, then stop again. Get a head of steam, screeching halt.
Deaths at 2,573 as Wisconsin tops 300,000 COVID-19 cases, breaking daily record again
Wisconsin State Journal
UnityPoint Health-Meriter, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Madison and UW Health said Friday all three systems will continue postponing non-urgent procedures and surgeries to increase space in intensive care units.
Only one elected Republican in Wisconsin has acknowledged Joe Biden is president-elect
Wisconsin State Journal
Barry Burden, a UW-Madison political science professor and the director of the Elections Research Center, said politicians have a role to play in how the public perceives elections. “When they raise questions about elections that are not based on fact or don’t have that kind of substantial foundation below them that actually undermines confidence,” Burden said. “A person saying publicly that they lack confidence or they have a suspicion about something going wrong, that actually fuels suspicion or lack of confidence so it becomes kind of a vicious circle.”
UW Health doctor breaks down state of COVID-19 in Wisconsin
WISC-TV 3
The coronavirus pandemic is still here, and it’s not going anywhere for a while. Experts say it’s worse than ever before. UW Health’s Director of Infection Control Dr. Nasia Safdar joins Live at Four to talk about the state of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.
No ‘exit strategy’: UW-Madison police catch dorm sign bandits
WKOW-TV 27
UW-Madison police closed the door on a spate of thefts from Madison residence halls over the weekend.
UW engineers create device to make masks more effective
WKOW-TV 27
A team of UW-Madison engineers is back with another innovation to keep people safe during the pandemic. This fall, they designed the Badger Seal to be worn over a mask.
’Especially with the recent spike, that’s terrifying’: Business owners navigate Badger football, COVID-19
NBC-15
After two cancelled games, Regent Street business owners are glad the Badgers are back, but they say they want to make safety a priority.
‘It’s hard to stomach:’ University of Wisconsin Arboretum staff react to rare tree theft, as police nail down a timeline
NBC-15
The caretaker of the the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens where the 25-foot Algonquin Pillar Swiss Mountain pine was sawed down, David Stevens, said the trees at the arboretum carry as much meaning as they do beauty, and are used for research. “It’s hard to stomach,” Stevens said.
UWPD catches dorm sign thieves, poses with 18 stolen signs
NBC-15
After reviewing security camera footage, police were able to identify the suspects — two UW students who are roommates. Police said they were able to catch the students in the act.“We broke up a theft ring this weekend that clearly had a faulty exit strategy,” UWPD tweeted Sunday.
Families rethink traditional Thanksgiving dinner amid COVID
NBC-15
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news. We used to say 10 people, that was an OK number to gather with. Right now with covid so prevalent in our communities, we really cant be gathering,” Dr. Jeff Pothoff, UW Health chief quality officer said.
UW asks students traveling for Thanksgiving to stay home until next semester
Daily Cardinal
Over the course of two weeks, the university’s seven-day average positivity rate has more than doubled, including 100 students currently in quarantine or isolation, according to UHS Executive Director Jake Baggott. While UW increased its testing efforts, particularly in residence halls, Baggot called on students to help the university control the spread of the virus by adhering to social distancing protocols and restricting their activities.
UW-Madison officials share concerns about students traveling for Thanksgiving
WISC-TV 3
Thanksgiving break has traditionally been a time to spend with family and friends, to prepare for finals and the end of the fall semester. This year will be different due to Covid-19.
Police seek tree thief, rare pine stolen from UW Arboretum
WISC-TV 3
Someone cut down a 25-foot Algonquin Pillar Swiss Mountain Pine tree sometime between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, according to a release by UW-Madison police.
UW-Madison asks students not to return to campus if they travel for Thanksgiving
WKOW-TV 27
In a message sent to all UW-Madison students Wednesday, the Executive Director of University Health Services, Jake Baggott, says the campus community’s positivity rate has stayed below the county and state level for weeks, after experiencing a spike when students started the fall semester.
CDC team testing UW-Madison students for COVID-19 antibodies
WKOW-TV 27
A team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is at UW-Madison this week as it looks into how common it is for someone to have COVID-19 and not know it.
Economic Stability Council raises over $11 million for workforce housing
NBC-15
The ESC has worked to design this collective impact since 2017 after reviewing data and local strategy with United Way of Dane County. After meeting with UW Madison and learning about approaches to housing, the ESC determined a social investment fund was the focus they would take.
“Performs like an N95”: Madison engineers design mask fitter
NBC-15
The “Badger Seal” prevents gaps on the sides, top & bottom of a face mask.
Wisconsin woman becomes 1st in state to undergo double lung transplant due to COVID-19
NBC-15
UW Health explained Thursday that Carmen Lerma was transferred to University Hospital in October after already having COVID-19. Health officials said the virus had damaged Lerma’s lungs so much that the double lung transplant was her only chance of survival.
UW Madison asks students who travel for Thanksgiving not to come back until spring
NBC-15
The university strongly urged students to consider whether they actually need to be in Madison after Thanksgiving Break.
Someone stole a very rare and valuable pine tree from the UW Arboretum
NBC-15
The tree is estimated to be worth $13,000.
Health officials: If you have COVID-19 symptoms or need peace of mind, get tested
NBC-15
Alan Fish, UW Madison Vice Chancellor of Facilities, says if patients test positive, they can do a follow-up test. If patients test negative but have COVID-19 symptoms, they will also receive the follow-up test.
Dr. Pothof weighs in on how to navigate the holidays during the pandemic
NBC-15
“We’re not spared, we’re in the middle of it. We’re doing worse than most any other state.”
UW mandates COVID-19 testing as Wisconsin case count rises
Badger Herald
’Where there isn’t aggressive testing at the University, then things could get out of control,’ Alagoz says
UW math lecturer files grievance against UW, alleging ‘abuse’ of hiring policy
Badger Herald
Lecturer employed only through fixed-term terminal appointments, renewed on semester or yearly basis.
DREAMers of UW funding eligibility vote postponed until late November
Badger Herald
Badger Catholic requested an increased budget for several of their core programs amid other cuts.
Tree theft: $13,000 tree stolen from UW Arboretum
Daily Cardinal
The UW-Madison Police Department (UWPD) is stumped after a rare 25-foot tall Algonquin Pillar Swiss Mountain Pine Tree was cut down and taken from the UW Arboretum sometime between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, 2020. Police are referring to it as the “Pine Crime”.
CDC probing UW football team, students to understand spread of COVID-19
Daily Cardinal
CDC researchers are analyzing test samples from the football players and staff members to pinpoint the exact cause of an outbreak the team experienced, while UW students are volunteering blood to see if they contracted the coronavirus in the past.
Police Stumped By Theft Of Rare Tree In Wisconsin Capital
HuffPost
Police are stumped by the theft of a rare pine tree from the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.The 25-foot Algonquin Pillar Swiss Mountain pine was sawed down sometime between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, University of Wisconsin-Madison police said Thursday.
US Coronavirus: Half a million new coronavirus cases since Monday
CNN
The research team, led by two experts in the genetics of viruses — Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Dr. Ralph Baric of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — studied the so-called D614G version of the coronavirus.
Rewiring the metabolism of pancreatic cells may keep diabetes in check
New Atlas
Through a newfound understanding of the way insulin secretion is triggered in pancreatic cells, scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have uncovered an exciting new pathway for the development of treatments for type 2 diabetes. Not only does the discovery shine a light on how the cells work to keep blood sugar in check, the team was able to demonstrate how the mechanism could be targeted with a certain enzyme to hold it at healthy levels.
Badgers Prepare For Return After Coronavirus Outbreak
Wisconsin Public Radio
During the layoff, more than two dozen players and staff members tested positive for the coronavirus. University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank and Athletic Director Barry Alvarez made the decision to pause football activities on Oct. 28. That meant canceling games against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Purdue Boilermakers.
Watch now: Police stumped by theft of large, rare pine tree from UW Arboretum
Wisconsin State Journal
Unlike the more populated parts of Madison, the UW Arboretum is not blanketed with surveillance cameras, and presumably it doesn’t have its own Lorax to speak for the trees.
Strategies for Embracing the Fabulously Mundane
Hyperallergic
Amid the bleak landscape that has been 2020, finding moments of brightness and pleasure has been an understandable challenge. For Sami Schalk, a Black and disabled writer and professor, navigating the physical and emotional strain of the pandemic has proved particularly challenging. Enter her multi-part project, #QuarantineLooks: Embracing the Fabulously Mundane, soon to be presented as part of the ongoing exhibition Indisposable: Structures of Support After the ADA, now online via the Ford Foundation Gallery.