MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL SPECIAL FOCUS WEEKENDEDITIONEDITIONWEEKENDVOL. XXXVIV NO. 9 MAY 15, 2020 50 CENTS COPINGCOPING WITHWITH Girl Scouts Donate 1,000 Boxes of Cookies toBoys & Girls Clubs Families Girl Scouts of Wisconsin South- of our local families who may be struggling dur- ing this difficult time,” said Christy Brown, chief east (GSWISE) and Boys & Girls executive officer of GSWISE. Clubs of Greater Milwaukee “This is just one way the Girl Scouts are doing (BGCGM) partnered recently to pro- what we can to help those in our community. Many of our girls have also thanked and donated vide a smile to families in southeast- cookies to our first responders, donated to local ern Wisconsin during this food pantries, supported families in need, sewed COVID-19 challenging economic time. masks, and so much more.” COVID-19 When the families of the BGCGM meal distri- Since March, GSWISE has donated 16,692 bution program received food earlier this week packages of cookies to different community or- (see the Milwaukee Community Journal story on ganizations, food pantries, and first responders page two of the May 13 edition, each family also in southeastern Wisconsin, and has plans to do- received one box of Girl Scout Cookies and a nate more. Girl Scout Genius packet, which includes fun ac- Donations have been made to Froedtert & the NEW COVID-19 tivities such as science experiments, outdoor ac- Medical College of Wisconsin, ProHealth Care, tivities, games, and crafts. Advocate Aurora Healthcare, the Milwaukee Po- SYMPTOMS We’re glad to partner with our friends at the lice Department, the Racine Fire Department, Boys & Girls Clubs to help bring smiles to many (continued on page 2) Despite a 4-3 Wisconsin Supreme COVID-19 affects different people in Court ruling overturning the state’s different ways. Infected people have “Stay-at-Home” order, which it had a wide range of symptoms re- called “unlawful” and “unenforce- ported—from mild symptoms to se- able,” the city of Milwaukee and vere illness. Milwaukee County will continue en- Symptoms that may appear 2-14 forcing the order. days after exposure to the virus: “The city of Milwaukee Health Department issued a public health order on March 23, 2020 to protect public fever, cough, shortness of breath or health and reduce the spread of COVID-19. That order difficulty breating. remains in effect, including all provisions on public gath- erings, restaurants, and bar operations,” said Mayor Chills, repeated shaking with chills, Tom Barrett in a statement following the state court’s ruling. muscle pain, headache, sore throat, Though state high New Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (new symptom): loss of taste or smell. echoed Barrett’s commitment to Gov. Tony Evers Marcy court overturns 24 order effectively shutting down all services except If you develop any of these for those deemed essential. COVID-19, get medical attention im- “STay-aT-Home” Crowley praised public health officers representing the 19 Milwaukee County municipalities for operating mediately; trouble breathing pre- order, city and with urgency to put orders in place to protect their com- munities. sistent pain or pressure in the chest, county officials say “I understand this is a time of confusion and uncer- (new symptom): confusion or inability tainty and it is easy to lose faith. This is why I rely on they’ll continue to our public health officers and the data available to guide to arouse, bluish lips or face. Learn enforce it! the way,” Crowley said in a statement. more on cdc.gov. (continued on page 2) The Weekend Edition•SPECIAL FOCUS/COPING WITH COVID-19•May 15, 2020 Page 2 I don’t care if it’s bars, restaurants or your home— you’re going to be able to spread the virus,” the Reactions to “Stay- governor continued. “And so now, today, thanks to the Republican at-Home” Ruling by legislators who convinced four Supreme Court jus- tices to not look at the law but look at their political state’s high court careers I guess—it’s a bad day for Wisconsin…it’s (continued from cover page) the wild west.” The county executive added he remains commit- In a statement released Wednesday night, Evers ted to working toward a safe re-opening “based on encouraged Wisconsinites to “stay safer at home, the best information available. practice social distancing, and limit travel, because “You can’t have a healthy economy without a folks, deadly viruses don’t wait around for politi- healthy community. The well-being of all residents cians and bureaucrats to settle their differences or will always be my top priority.” promulgate rules.” The state high court’s ruling comes after Repub- Mike Browne, deputy director for A Better Wis- lican legislative leaders filed a lawsuit in April ar- consin Together, said he hopes Republicans in the guing Evers “Stay-at-Home” order would cost state legislature show more urgency now than Wisconsin residents their jobs and hurt many com- when they previously failed to act in a timely man- panies, asserting that if it was left in place the state ner to address the COVID-19 crisis, which unnec- would be in shambles. A volunteer with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Mil- essarily cost state families $25 million in federal In its ruling, the court justices claimed Evers’ ad- waukee loads cartons of milk with Girl Scout cookies pro- unemployment insurance funding. ministration overstepped its authority when the vided by the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast to go with “This time it’s more than just money, it’s people’s state Department of Health Services (DHS) ex- food being provided by the BGCGM as part of its meal dis- health, safety and lives at stake.” tended the order to May 26. Inspite of the court ruling, Browne said Wiscon- tribution programl.—Photo by GSWISE The GOP legislative suit was more specifically sin is still under threat and urgent action is required aimed at the DHS’ Secretary-designee Andrea so the progress state residents have sacrificed to Palm and other health officials. They made the de- Girl Scouts Donate 1,000 attain in fighting COVID-19 is not lost. cision in mid-April to extend the state’s “Safer-at- “The Republican=controlled legislature brought Home order. Boxes of Cookies toBoys this lawsuit, the result of which puts them at the At the same time as the extension, the state center of the state response to a global health pan- & Girls Clubs Families loosened some restrictions on certain businesses demic,” said Browne. (continued from cover page) including golf courses, public libraries, and the arts “Their job going forward is not to criticize or sec- and crafts stores. and the Tosa Cares Food Pantry, to name a just a few. GSWISE ond guess actions taken by others, it is to act On March 24, Evers issued the order shutting will continue to safely drop off cookies to local heroes. quickly to protect the health and safety of our com- down all economic, educational and social activity We are incredibly grateful for our partners at Girl Scouts of Wis- munities.” in the state accept for aforementioned essential consin Southeast. Our Clubs’ families will be so surprised to re- Browne noted a recent state-wide survey in workers such as doctors, nurses, police, firefight- ceive this special treat,” said Kathy Thornton-Bias, chief executive which Wisconsinites reportedly favor a scientific, ers and food store employees who work at still officer of BGCGM. “In this challenging situation a sweet gesture measured approach of Evers by a nearly two to open stores. like a box of everyone’s favorite cookies will mean so much.” one ratio over the “political games” of state Repub- Evers expressed disappointment at the court’s The BGCGM’s meal continuation plan ensures children and lican legislators. ruling puts Wisconsin in a state of chaos. “Now we Article compiled by MCJ Editorial staff from teens 18 years of age or younger receive three meals per day, have no plan and no protections for the people of these sources: CNN, press releases from the of- Sunday–Saturday. Each Monday at three BGCGM locations, 21 Wisconsin,” Evers said Wednesday night on CNN. fices of Milwaukee city mayor, county executive, A meals are distributed for each child, as well as educational mate- “When you have more people in a small space— rials and non-perishable food items. Better Wisconsin Together. The Weekend Edition•SPECIAL FOCUS/COPING WITH COVID-19•May 15, 2020 Page 3 council members and assembly the community was established members), as well as in America in 1920. members of law enforcement. Each guest speaker then Faith leaders from various reli- spoke passionately about how gious traditions also joined the prayer, empathy and together- virtual gatherings. ness are essential now more The events began by celebrat- than ever. ing the historic centennial of the U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) Ahmadiyya Muslim Community joined the Iftar in Richmond, VA, with a 5-minute video highlight- and congratulated the Ah- ing the 100-year journey since (continued on page 7) MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • Muslims Commemorate EDITIONWEEKEND414-265-6647 (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: Edito- [email protected]/[email protected] Patricia O’Flynn -Pattillo Colleen Newsom, First Muslim Centennial Founder, Publisher Classified Advertising Sales Robert J. Thomas, Co-Founder Leader Assoc. Publisher Jimmy V. Johnson, Advertising The nation’s oldest Muslim or- celebrations amid the pandemic with Nationwide Virtual Iftars Todd Thomas, Vice President Sales Events draw U.S. ganization recently hosted Vir- stay-at-home orders. Mikel Holt, Founding Editor, Mike Mullis, Advertising tual Interfaith Iftar events across More than 120 public officials Senators, members Associate Publisher Coordination the country in commemoration of attended the Iftars across more Thomas E.