News Room

First came Wisconsin's in-person election. Then it was protests over Gov. Tony Evers' stay-at-home order. In mid-May, a sudden court order opened the state. And, in the weeks since, there have been widespread marches against police brutality. Coming amid the COVID-19 pandemic, each twist prompted concern among public health officials that a spike in cases would soon surface. But to date, none appear to have led to a surge in the numbers tracking the disease's spread. Rather, key indicators of COVID-19 — the percentage of people testing positive and the number of people being hospitalized with coronavirus — have continued to tick down in Wisconsin in recent weeks.

The coronavirus pandemic has continued but with Georgia and other states around the country easing restrictions, some may wonder if it’s safe to invite friends over for a barbecue this summer. Experts say there’s no evidence that COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, can be transmitted through food or food packaging.

Data scientists never really know where their work is going to take them. David Shmoys, the Laibe/Acheson Professor of Business Management and Leadership Studies in the College of Engineering, has applied his mathematical tools to topics ranging from woodpecker populations to bike-sharing programs. When the COVID-19 global pandemic broke out, he shifted his attention to the biggest crisis of our time.

The coronavirus pandemic has us all asking a lot of questions: How long will I have to practice "social distancing"? Will there be a cure for COVID-19? Can I ever touch my face again? WABE health reporter Sam Whitehead and guests will try to answer those questions. He'll talk with experts, public officials, journalists, and everyday people about how the coronavirus is affecting their lives.