Here & Now

Racine Co. Rule is On-Off-On, Dane Co. Tightens Restrictions

Frederica Freyberg:

As we head into the 4th of July weekend, Dane County and the Capitol city of Madison tighten restrictions again as the number of new coronavirus cases soar. Much of the spread has come from public gatherings, restaurants and bars.

Joe Parisi:

This is going to be with us for a long time. We are all tired of dealing with this virus. But just because we’re tired of it doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous or contagious than it was in March.

Satya Rhodes-Conway:

And the average age of those with the coronavirus in Dane County has dropped to 23 years old. We cannot keep moving in this direction. It’s clear that alcohol and coronavirus do not mix.

Frederica Freyberg:

In the city of Madison, testing shows more than half of the new cases are among young adults age 18 to 25. 54% of those new cases were discovered because of testing at the Alliant Energy Center. Madison’s new COVID-19 restrictions include indoor dining at restaurants reduced to 25%. Bars can provide takeout dining only. Bars and restaurants can have outdoor seating with social distancing. Madison’s mayor says the new rules will be enforced.

On the same day Dane County enacted stricter guidelines, a Racine County circuit court ordered an end to similar rules in Racine. Judge Jon Frederickson sided with businesses that took the city to court, calling the “Forward Racine” ordinance, “vague and unenforceable.” The co-owners of Harbor Park Cross Fit filed the civil suit, alleging the local order would lead to business closings and significant loss of revenue.