As other large events are canceled the DNC in Milwaukee remains a question
MADISON - State health officials are recommending canceling large events scheduled over the next month and will decide whether that guidance should apply to the Democratic National Convention later this spring.
Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm said this week health officials are recommending events scheduled during the next 30 days of more than 250 people be canceled to help contain the spread of coronavirus, which has infected 19 people in the state so far.
As for one of the state’s largest events scheduled this year, Gov. Tony Evers said he and Palm will decide whether that rule should apply to the convention in Milwaukee close to the July event.
“That’s four months out — we’re going to be following carefully, obviously. There’s multiple options, but we are in constant communication with them,” Evers said at a press conference he held to declare a state public health emergency over the spread of the virus. “I would not say we are planning on doing that but as time moves on we’ll be in a better position to make that judgment.”
Evers’ comments come after Democratic Party chairman Tom Perez and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett insisted the convention would take place, despite widespread advice to cancel large events. In an interview with Axios, Perez also said the DNC wasn’t considering an online convention.
“We are working with our state and local partners, and I’m confident that we work a plan that will enable us to have our convention,” Perez told Axios this week.
Barrett said Thursday his confidence comes from the hope the disease will be contained within four months.
“Just listening to the rhythm of this, looking at the rhythm in China, it’s my hope that we’re going to be past it in four months,” Barrett said.
The first confirmed case of coronavirus in China, where the virus originated, is traced back to November, or four months ago, according to the South China Morning Post newspaper.
In mid-February, the daily infections in China dropped below 2,000 for the first time but the death toll has continued to rise, according to a timeline of infections published by Al Jazeera.
By the end of February, the number of cases began to plateau. As of Thursday, China reported just 15 new cases.
The Democrats’ national convention is expected to draw more than 50,000 politicians, activists, volunteers and journalists from across the globe.
The Department of Health Services issued a memo Thursday saying limitations on mass gatherings should slow the spread of the epidemic “to a level such that the healthcare system is able to maintain quality care for patients.”
“Mass gatherings during an outbreak of a particularly infectious disease such as COVID-19 have the potential to result in large numbers of ill people that can quickly overwhelm local hospitals and clinics,” the memo said.