Communities Grapple With How To Proceed After The Holidays

GREENFIELD, WI— One of the issues discussed at the Board of Health meeting Thursday was the impacts of the upcoming holidays and the explosive growth of the coronavirus.

Experts expect to see additional spikes in the illness following family and community gatherings at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Hanukkah, and the like.

Thursday the City of Racine ordered schools closed starting November 27 until mid-January.

The board members in Greenfield said they expected any order to close schools would be challenged. An order of that kind was not discussed at length.

City of Racine, Wind Point, and Elmwood Park are impacted by the order issued in Racine County.

“COVID-19 is being spread throughout the community in the number of daily cases and rates of positivity that have not been seen before. Outbreaks are linked to family gatherings on private property with people from outside of their household including sports parties, baby showers, and backyard gatherings. In addition, through retail establishments and employment situations,” said Dottie-Kay Bowersox, City of Racine Public Health Administrator.

During the last nine months, after every major holiday, significant spikes in positive cases occur, Bowersox explained.