Statewide COVID Concern Level: High

WI COVID deaths in last week: 9

January 26, 2023


Dear Friends:


"Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds" says the Letter to the Hebrews "not neglecting to meet together...but encouraging one another."


Those are appropriate words to consider as the COVID pandemic grinds on. And make no mistake: it does grind on. It may not seem that way at first. Positive test rates, cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all trending down at the moment. None of those statistics is anywhere near their peak this time last year.


But infections remain stubbornly persistent. Hospitalizations for those over 70 remain high, and are slowly trending up. Worst of all, COVID kills five to ten Wisconsinites each week.


Almost two-thirds of residents have received the primary series of COVID vaccines. But that rate remains little changed from a year ago. Meanwhile, only 19% have gotten a bivalent booster, the best protection against infection and serious complications. Worse, serious disparities in vaccination rates remain along racial, ethnic and geographical lines.


So no, while it may appear that COVID has faded away, it is still very much with us. That means the work of provoking, taking care, and encouraging is far from done.


Here's how you can help:

  • Help your community understand that bivalent boosters are not the same as previous boosters. COVID changes in the same way that the flu does. It requires regular updates in protection against it.


  • Also help your people understand that bivalent boosters are important. They protect members of the community and their loved ones. (Be specific about who those loved ones are. Despite scripture, people often don't respond to generic calls to love and good deeds.)


  • Encourage masking when you're together, or at least tolerance for those who do. Wearing a mask doesn't mean you're sick. Nor does it mean that you're afraid. Everyone has their own comfort level, and reasons to take precautions.


  • Encourage them to stay home if they're sick, even if it doesn't seem like COVID. That goes for pastors too! Don't rely on a single test to rule out infection, and take it easy if you're not feeling well. That's good advice for any kind of illness.


  • The WCC is not currently recommending that faith communities go fully online. But it's a good idea to provide alternatives for those who can't come in person, or who aren't comfortable with it.


It's also important to meet together in another sense. Keep talking about COVID and your response to it. COVID may always be with us. The work of loving and coming to agreement together is definitely permanent.


Stay safe and stay together,


Rev. Daniel Schultz

Community Health

Program Director



P.S.: Our friend Will Housley from Wisconsin Health Literacy recently sent us this message. It's a cool opportunity, especially if you're in the greater Madison area:


I’m reaching out to see if you might be willing to participate in a video project that is being produced by Health Literacy Wisconsin, in partnership with Green Clock Media.


The project will address Covid-19 vaccination in Wisconsin. We want to understand how everyday Wisconsinites made their decision about Covid-19 vaccination.


We will feature 20-25 people in the video from across the state, each with different stories and opinions.


We’re particularly interested in finding some individuals who have not been vaccinated, who may be willing to tell their story.


The filming will take place on February 9, from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at The Lagaret, 515 E. Main Street, in Stoughton, WI.


If you agree to participate, you’d be asked to participate in a 30-minute interview and share your honest opinion. Your time slot will be determined once we confirm your participation.You’ll be asked questions about your personal experience with Covid-19, and if you’ve gotten vaccinated or not, and why.


Our goal is to share the different perspectives that exist. Your story is valuable!

The interview will be edited, and we’ll try to capture your best moments in the final video.


If you are not able to participate yourself, we’d love to hear your ideas for others who may be interested in participating.


Get in touch with Will if you have questions, or would like to participate.

Don't want to get family sick, Don't want to get others sick, Don't want to be sick. Let's get vaccinated. Get your bivalent booster shots and stop COVID-19
No quiero enfermar a la familia No quiero enfermar a otros No quiero enfermarme  VAMOS A VACUNARNOS Obtenga sus vacunas de refuerzo bivalentes Detengamos el Covid-19

Upcoming Clinics:


Schedule a clinic in your community today!


Clinics since 9/21: 263 Vaccinations since 9/21: 3497

The WCC Community Health Program Staff
Rev. Daniel Schultz
Community Health Program Director danschultz@wichurches.org
Angela Hicks
Small Metro Field Coordinator ahicks@wichurches.org
Eyon Biddle, Sr.
Milwaukee Field Coordinator eyon@wichurches.org
Rev. Teresa Thomas-Boyd similing in a church.
Rev. Teresa Thomas-Boyd
Community COVID Solutions Field Coordinator
Angelica Espinoza
Outstate Field Coordinator
This is a dummy image inserted for the purpose of adjusting our newsletter layout. If you discover this message, send a COVID-related image to danschultz@wichurches.org and win a prize!

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