Pulling Together While Staying Apart - Part 1

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APRIL 1, 2020 • FREE a limited-edition, historic keepsake issue

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MARCH 31, 2020 • PULLING TOGETHER WHILE STAYING APART

MAG INFO OFFICES

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PUBLISHER / EDITOR / ETC Nick Meyer MANAGING EDITORS Eric Christenson + Tom Giffey RESOURCE & LISTINGS EDITOR James Johonnott ADVERTISING Neil Hodorowski + Chase Kunkel + Brian Maki DESIGN Taylor McCumber + Mackenzie Slattery WEB DEVELOPMENT Don Ross PHOTO EDITOR Andrea Paulseth VIDEO / PHOTO PRODUCTION Joel Pearish EVENTS / MARKETING Michelle Rowekamp BOOKKEEPER / OFFICE MANAGER Andy Norrish LOCAL STORE MANAGER Lindsey Quinnies LOCAL STORE STAFF Haley Asuma + Elise Chapin + Maggie Israel + Tori Johnson + Mackenzie Kapral + Bonni Knight + Lindsey Kvern + Hannah Martinson + Jordan Munson + Matt Novacek + Soren Staff DISTRIBUTION MANAGERS Josh Ranft + Andy Norrish DISTRIBUTION STAFF Tom Jannusch + Matt Novacek + Daniel Wewasson FOUNDERS Dale Karls + Nick Meyer ADVERTISING INFO Volume One is the most cost-effective and dynamic print / web advertising and sponsorship option in the Chippewa Valley. Email advertising@ volumeone.org for information about ad rates & sizes, distribution locations, and more. Or call (715) 552-0457.

You’ll be glad you did.

PARTNER CONTENT Volume One occasionally partners with local organizations to create content that may be of interest to thousands of readers throughout the Chippewa Valley and beyond. Articles created “in partnership” are sponsored by the partnering organization and may be created with their assistance or expertise, for informational and/ or promotional purposes. Any content created in this way – which comprises less than 2% of the pages Volume One publishes each year – will always include “Partner Content” indication. Opportunities exist for partners to help readers discover this content in Volume One magazine, and/or on VolumeOne.org via blog posts or videos, or to find it through our robust email lists and social media followings.

BASIC INFO Volume One is locally owned, locally operated, and locally focused. We distribute 14,000 copies to 450+ locations in Eau Claire, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls, and other area communities every other Thursday.

Though it started small, the magazine has been available in some form since March of 2002.

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We also welcome the submission of ideas or completed works from the community for publication consideration.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Support Volume One with a one year subscription. 26 issues are available for $64. Send a check to the address listed above. Or, you can view the V1 Membership options at www.volumeone.org or by calling (715) 552-0457.

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PRINTED BY Page 1 Printers, on recycled paper. © 2020 Volume One The writing, artwork, and photography in Volume One remain the property of the authors, artists, & photographers. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publication or its advertisers.

EDITOR’S NOTE

H A N G I N T H E R E , C H I P P E W A V A L L E Y. W E KNO W MANY O F YO U ARE STAYI NG HO ME RI GHT NO W. So however you got your hands on this historic print edition of Volume One – whether from a grocery store or rack somewhere, or through our first-ever free home doorstep delivery effort – we want to thank you for finding your way to these pages today. Now more than ever, we appreciate your readership and support as we, along with thousands of other struggling individuals and businesses across the Chippewa Valley, carefully tread forward into these unprecedented times.

As you page through, you’ll notice this issue looks nothing like normal.

No events, no listings, none of the typical articles. That’s because, while typical community life is at a bit of a standstill, for now we’ve turned NICK MEYER everything over to coverage and information related to the pandemic, and how it’s playing out in our very own region. We’ve done the same with our website at VolumeOne.org, with our weekly email lists, and on our social media feeds.

Like so many organizations right now, our staff is doing everything we can to help where it makes sense, with the tools we have available to us. While we want to be doing more, here’s the gist of a few of the steps we’ve taken and adjustments we’ve made to support the community where we can (and if you think there’s something more we could feasibly be doing, please don’t hesitate to email me directly at nick@volumeone.org):

temporary job boards, fundraisers, and much more.

Let us know if we’re missing any.

• To help these stories and resources be discovered, our staff jumped in their own cars to offer free doorstep delievery of this issue to people who are unable to get to one from a rack right now. Thousands signed up on our website.

• We are offering local businesses and non-profits affected by the crisis short-term options for reduced rate advertising and promotion on our digital and print platforms through May. Contact advertising@ volumeone.org to discuss your options, and how we can help.

• We’re supporting the Chippewa Valley Artist Relief Fund through a cash donation and significant promotional support and awareness. Find more info on how you can donate at VolumeOne.org.

Finally, to keep our creative and hardworking staff of nearly 20 full-time people supported as much as possible, we’ve found some incredible community organizations and individuals who have stepped up to support these efforts. We’re deeply thankful for their backing, because the vast majority of our usual advertising income from events, ticketing, restaurants, retailers, and other local businesses disappeared as the shutdown materialized. This will help us keep most of our staff on the payroll and their benefits intact, though schedules may be reduced as we do our best to make it out the other side of this crisis. You’ll see these sponsors’ names and logos on the following page, as well as in their ads throughout this issue. It’s with their generous spirit in mind, that we’ll continue to pay it forward with every tool available to us.

If you’re in a position to consider it and would also like to support Volume One and our work in this community over the last 18 years, we’d be deeply appreciative.

You can always order and send care packages, gift cards, and other local goods online at TheLocalStore.org. But like so many community papers similar to ours across the country have been doing, we’re launching a reader membership program for anyone who’d like to chip in right now and buy a package of benefits. We know there are countless worthy causes and businesses to support during a time like this, and many that should come well before us. But if you’re interested, you can pick out some fun items while acknowledging our efforts in the process.

Learn more at VolumeOne.org/membership.

We know that in various ways, this pandemic is keeping all of us apart from the people and the community we love. But even now, we want to help serve as a connecting thread to the heartbeat of our community, because that heartbeat hasn’t stopped. So neither will we.

But even now, we want to help serve as a connecting thread to the heartbeat of our community, because that heartbeat hasn’t stopped.

So neither will we.

• As things got bad in mid-March, in an effort to support the independent restaurant and retail scene, we quickly launched the Save Your Faves webpage to help connect the public with independent restaurants still offering pick up or delivery, and with retailers offering gift cards online or via phone. Find it at VolumeOne.org/SaveYourFaves.

• On March 27, we launched the Chippewa Valley Bulletin Board at VolumeOne.org, offering local non-profits and adversely affected businesses the opportunity to post their own content to our site, our large email list, and social feeds (free of charge) with updates, requests, offers, fundraisers, and more. If your organization could use this service, find more info on our website.

• In general we’re using our website, huge email lists, social media feeds, and print edition to inspire action and tell as many stories as we can of citizens, businesses, and non-profits supporting each other and working to make it through this tough time.

• We continue to gather and share on VolumeOne.org as many resources as we can find for local food pantries, community meal services, financial resources,

—Nick Meyer, Volume One

50% RE CY CLE D PAPE R

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MARCH 31, 2020 • PULLING TOGETHER WHILE STAYING APART

I S S U E N O . 4 0 7 • M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 2 0 • W W W.V O L U M E O N E . O R G

CONNECTING THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY COMMUNITY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC T H I S S P E C I A L I S S U E S U P P O R T E D I N PA R T B Y

EDITORS

LAYOUT/DESIGN

WRITING

ADS/SPONSORS

PHOTOGRAPHY

ERIC CHRISTENSON TOM GIFFEY JAMES JOHONNOTT NICK MEYER M I K E PAU LU S

ERIC CHRISTENSON TAY L O R M C C U M B E R M A C K E N Z I E S L AT T E R Y DON ROSS

BARBARA ARNOLD S T E P H A N I E FA R R A R MAX GARLAND B.J. HOLLARS LAUREN LANGWORTHY YIA LOR ERIC RASMUSSEN PAT T I S E E JAKE WRASSE

NEIL HODOROWSKI CHASE KUNKEL BRIAN MAKI NICK MEYER

LEE BUTTERWORTH LUONG HUYNH BRANDEN NALL A N D R E A PAU L S E T H ADAM SMITH TAY L O R S M I T H KOOBMEEJ XIONG

This is not the way springtime in the Chippewa Valley was supposed to go...

This isn’t the way anything was supposed to go. The ice recedes, washed away by the the rain, and after that, the sun appears. That’s the way it goes.

We get outside and we gather. At the farmers market or the park. At a concert or a coffee shop. We shake hands and we hug. Across the Valley, we connect with our friends and family in the most human of ways. We touch.

We share space. We see the strength of this community – in its people as they pull together and shake off winter’s chill.

But that’s not happening.

Instead we must shelter in place. We furtively emerge for only the truly essential. Food. Supplies. A walk around the neighborhood. We emerge to find the solace sent tumbling through the air by smiles and waves. Teddy bears on doorsteps. Phone calls to our loved ones. Memes on the Internet.

A thousand little things. A thousand little scraps of hope scattered across our days and weeks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already robbed us of so much. Yet weekend get togethers, nights around the fire pit, and quick conversations in the grocery store aisle are becoming the least of our worries. The loss of work. The loss of normalcy. And of course, the loss of life looms large on a tidal wave of anxiety.

As Midwesterners, we know how to keep our heads down and push through difficult times. It’s how previous generations got through World Wars and the Great Depression. But in the face of this virus, we can’t just keep our heads down and isolate ourselves while dreaming of better days. We must pull together in unprecedented ways.

Yes, we could shrivel up in worry and doubt. We could let our culture and our community wither – cut off from the lifeblood of our attention, our hard work, and our creativity. We could sit there and watch it fade away.

But that’s not going to happen.

Because we can see the strength of this community – in its people as they pull together while staying apart. We can shake off the cold winter chill COVID-19 has cast upon us. We are isolated. But we are not alone. And we can offer each other a thousand scraps of hope, scattered across our days and weeks, building to a tidal wave of courage.

For the past 18 years, Volume One has celebrated the people of the Chippewa Valley. Your art. Your ingenuity. And perhaps most importantly, your determination.

Well, we too are determined. Now, as ever, Volume One is committed to reflecting, amplifying, and inspiring the work you do. Because the things we do today will resonate beyond the limits of these troubling times.

Yes, we must keep our distance. But we must stand together in supporting our community, our culture, and each other. It’s the only way through to the other side. And its the only way we can emerge stronger than ever.

IN THIS ISSUE 6 DON’T FORGET THIS IS WHO WE ARE

10 VOLUMEONE.ORG DASHBOARD

12 PULLING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER

24 PULLING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR BUSINESSES

32 PULLING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT O U R C U LT U R E

40 PULLING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

53 S O C I A L D I S TA N C I N G : A POEM

54 THE REAR END

D O N’ T F O R G E T, T H WHILE WE CAN’T BE TOGE T HER NOW, SOON WE WILL GAT HER AGAIN. CRE AT ING,

IS IS WHO WE ARE CELEBRATING, AND LOVING THIS PLACE WE CALL HOME.

-

PHOTOS BY ANDRE A PAULSE T H + LUONG HUYNH + BR ANDEN NAL L + TAYLOR SMI T H + KOOBMEE J XIONG

• E N C O U R A G E M E N T N E I G H B O R L Y • E N C O U R A G E M E N T N E I G H B O R L Y

N E I G H B O R LY

ENCOURAGEMENT

“

I ’m n e w to t h i s to o, a n d d o n’t w a n t to p rete n d I ’v e g o t i t a l l d i a l e d in. But based on my early e x p e r i e n c e, I ’d s a y re a c h o u t to fo l k s b y p h o n e o r s t re a m i f y o u c a n . La s t n i g h t w e m et u p online with our cousins and a u n ts a n d e v e n t h o u g h w e h a v e c re e p y - c ra w l y i n te r n et o u t h e re, a n d e v e n t h o u g h h a l f t h e v i s i t w a s fro z e n a n d c h o p p y, i t re m i n d e d u s o f g o o d t i m e s a n d fa m i l y j o k e s a n d t h e i n ta n g i b l e n a t u re o f l o v e a n d s h a re d m e m o r i e s . A fte r t h a t c a l l s o m e o n e w h o’s a l o n e. ­— M I C H A E L P E R R Y

•

N E I G H B O R LY

ENCOURAGEMENT

“

IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY, IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WHAT IS AND ISN’T WITHIN OUR CONTROL. WE CAN’T COMMAND THE SUN TO SHINE, BUT WE CAN WEAR OUR LIFE JACKET, STAY ANCHORED, AND HELP OTHERS WHO ARE CAUGHT IN THE STORMY SEA. KEEP IN MIND words TOO THAT of wisdom WE’RE ALL borly h g i e n & IN THE t SAME BOAT, encouragemen AND NO from locals of STORM LASTS a l l ki n d s FOREVER. —Y I A LO R

“

NOW IS NOT A TIME TO FORGET ABOUT O R D E VA L U E T H E P O W E R O F C O M M U N I T Y, A N D O U R I N F I N I T E C A PA C I T Y F O R J O Y. I E N C O U R A G E E V E R Y O N E C R E AT E S PA C E F O R A L L O F I T — Y E S , T H E U N C E R TA I N T Y, T H E A N X I E T Y, T H E I N E V I TA B L E F E A R , B U T A L S O T O R E M E M B E R O U R ABILIT Y TO BE IN JOY TOGE TH ER. — K AT Y H A C K W O R T H Y

•

N E I G H B O R LY E N CO U R AG E M E N T • N E I G H B O R LY E N CO U R AG E M E N T •

N E I G H B O R LY

ENCOURAGEMENT

•

N E I G H B O R LY

ENCOURAGEMENT

“

“

As the mayo r of a s m a l l c i t y, I think it is important

to inform the public t ha t t h i s i s a ver y a n d we m u st a l l ta ke

“

—T E R RY W E L D

kee p i ng eve r yo n e sa f e i n o u r c o m m u n i t y.

I f we a ssu me t ha t ever y perso n we co me in contact with has t h e v i r u s a n d ta ke a ppropria te safet y flatten the infection cu r ve a nd get t h roug h this. Please be thoughtful of others a n d we wi l l a l l be sa fer beca use of i t.

— R AN DY K NA AC K

— S HA N N O N PAU LU S

E N C O U R A G E M E N T

p reca u t i o ns we ca n

“

Please, please, PLEASE be gentle w ith each other. Be patient. Be flexible. Hold your tongue if w hat you have to say is unnecessary or unkind. Trust each other. Because I know two things for certain: 1. This is hard. For everyone. 2. Everyone is doing their best, and their best is different than yours. We are all looking for answers that just aren’t there.

We are all grasping for control in the face of the unknow n. We are all doing our best. And I, for one, am going to do everything I can to remember that.

N E I G H B O R L Y

a role i n hel pi ng to

•

serious situation

AS WE LEARN TO COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19 IN OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL WAY, MY THOUGHTS TURN TO SPRING AND THE EXCITEMENT OF KNOWING THAT EACH NEW DAY WILL BECOME LONGER AND WARMER. THIS SEASON OF NEW GROWTH AND NEW BEGINNINGS ALSO REMINDS ME OF THE JOYS, SMELLS, AND SOUNDS OF SUMMER THAT WILL SOON FOLLOW. I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO KEEP PLANNING AND PREPARING FOR YOUR ‘TOMORROWS.’ THEY GIVE US THE HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT WE NEED AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

E N C O U R A G E M E N T

—JULIANNE LEPP

• N E I G H B O R L Y

This is a time to plant our roots deep into our spiritual practices and self care. Each day has new fears and challenges, and connecting to what is sacred for each of us helps us connect to something larger than ourselves. It helps us to feel connected and less alone.

•

N E I G H B O R LY E N CO U R AG E M E N T • N E I G H B O R LY E N CO U R AG E M E N T

•

PUL L ING TOGE T HE R E VERY DAY AT

VOLU M EO N E .ORG IN

response to the community crisis around COVID-19, we’ve re-launched VolumeOne.org around the idea of Pulling Together While Staying Apart. We’ve included updates on developments and closures, local resources to help those in need (and those wondering what to do next), and a whole stack of new content geared toward keeping this community connected and growing. Check it out daily for updates!

SERVICES & RESOURCES

VIDEOS & MULTIMEDIA

UPDATES & LOCAL FEEDS

Stay up-to-date with Chippewa Valley news, services, and resources addressing the pandemic.

Keep the community vibes flowing with videos and more from people right here in the Chippewa Valley.

Check out trusted regional sources all in one centralized dashboard of info.

Find Local Restaurants with Delivery, Takeout, Pick Up, & Gift Cards Chippewa Valley restaurants, bars, and retailers are in serious trouble. But you can help save them – and we’ve launched a new service to make that easy at VolumeOne.org/saveyourfaves

Free Non-Profit and Business Support To give local non profits and adversely affected businesses a direct line of communication with the broader public, Volume One has created a digtial bulletin board so these organizations or others looking to help may directly submit timely information for publication online.

CLOSED FOR COVID

ongoing list of Chippewa Valley stutdowns

Stay Updated on Chippewa Valley Closures Updated daily, check out a list of major Chippewa Valley public facilities closed for pubic safety, complete with timelines and additional info. You’ll find info on schools and colleges, government buildings, libraries, local attractions and more.

Area Food Pantries, Meal Services, Online Services, & More Find lists of Chippewa Valley organizations ready to help those in need alongside info on things like online library services, area hiking trails, nonprofit initiatives, and local business advice.

Eau Claire City-County Health Department

M 3,662 likes

Eau Claire City-County Health Department

Wisconsin’s *Other* Historic Pandemic

You can always find the latest news and daily video updates from the Eau Claire City-County Health Department’s Facebook feed right on VolumeOne.org.

In this quick Volume One video, Chippewa Valley author BJ Hollars shares the story of Wisconsin’s incredible and historic response to the 1918 “Spanish Flu” pandemic, which is oddly reminiscent of what we’re experiencing today, with thousands of lives saved.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Track COVID-19 cases throughout Wisconsin using the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ online map with updates by county.

COVIDActNow.org

Social Distancing: A Poem Local writer Max Garland responds to COVID-19 in verse. Max is professor emeritus at UW-Eau Claire, a former Writer in Residence for the city of Eau Claire, and the former Poet Laureate of Wisconsin.

See helpful, regularly updated data on the State of Wisconsin’s ability to “flatten the curve,” ensuring hospitalizations don’t spike too sharply.

Chippewa Valley Virtual Variety Hour: Episode 1 In an effort to spread some positivity during this crazy time of social isolation, Volume One presents the Chippewa Valley Virtual Variety Hour – a video compilation series featuring home-recorded videos by you while you’re stuck at home social distancing. Go ahead and tag us @volumeone in your videos on Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Let’s make something cool as a community!

PHOTO BY LUONG HUYNH

50 SOCIALLY DISTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO WITHOUT GOING CRAZY

A

lot of us are self-quarantining right now to keep ourselves safe in a time where public gatherings, restaurants, movie theaters, and more are shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chances are you’re at home with a whole lot of time on your hands, so to help you get through it, here’s a huge list of stuff to do while social distancing. Get creative, come together, do good things, and have some fun!

1. Cook a recipe you’ve never

13. Buy a gift online from a

local artist or business

the memes fly

42. Offer to run errands for

tried before

local retailer and send it to someone you love

25. Try on clothes and down-

32. If you don’t yet, do the

14. Build a freakin’ fort (it’s

size what doesn’t fit or, you know, spark joy

Snapchat (another avenue to stay connected)

elderly and/or immunocompromised folks

harder than it looks)

26. Surf around local bands’

33. Order delivery from your

15. Go on a solo hike

Bandcamps and buy some music

favorite restaurant if you can

ing or nursing home, and offer to chat with residents

16. Buy a piece of art from

2. Take virtual guitar lessons 3. Check out a local band (online) you haven’t listened to

43. Call your local assisted liv-

27. Watch funny YouTube vid-

34. Make a wacky Rube

44. Play board games because

author, start a virtual book club

a local artist

eos – there’s a lot of ‘em

Goldberg machine

they’re awesome

5. Do a puzzle - by yourself or

17. Take a scenic drive

28. Take a virtual yoga class

35. Write a tight five to try at a

18. Meditate with an app or do

from a local studio

future comedy open mic

45. Let yourself be silly –

with roommates/family (you probably have a dusty ol’ puzzle in the house)

29. Walk around the Valley

36. Send a care package to

6. Skype with friends in other cities, share a meal together (just don’t chew too close to the mic)

make some masks for the dedicated healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic

7. Organize/clean that room

20. Make some art or do

4. Read a book by a local

you’ve been putting off

breathing exercises

19. If sewing is your thing,

family with cool local stuff in it

dance around the kitchen with your family, send goofy selfies to pals, play hide and seek

37. Do some financial plan-

46. Put together a virtual

origami and get folding

ning, budgeting, and find more ways to save

trivia game for friends

31. Start a group chat and let

38. Record yourself painting

to share personal stories (200 words or less) – pick a new theme every few days

and take some pictures for a photo book or web gallery

30. Watch a YouTube video on

a collage

and do a time lapse

8. Read a magazine (check)

21. Buy online an gift card

39. Watch a YouTube video

9. Start some seeds for a veg-

from a local restaurant

etable garden

22. Start a screen-

on fixing that thing you haven’t fixed

10. Get outside for a walk/bike/

play or collection of poems

jog around the neighborhood and wave at people

11. Start a journal 12. Get Duolingo and start learning another language like Hmong or Spanishh

23. Be penpals, even if it’s just with your neighbors

WAT C H T H E

40. Give your pet all the snuggles

V I D E O AT

41. Grab local beer/food

VOLUMEONE.ORG

from small businesses offering to-go and have a six-feet-apart happy hour with 10 or fewer of your neighbors in the front yard

24. Donate to a crowdfunding campaign for a

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13

47. Start a Facebook group

48. Realize that your pride is a small price to pay for mental peace, then call/text/message/ email someone and apologize for that thing you did

49. Walk by the river and take five deep breaths and just, like, be

50. Take a shower?

MARCH 31, 2020 • PULLING TOGETHER WHILE STAYING APART

Pablo Group proudly supports Pulling Together While Staying Apart - to support our vital local arts and economy by bringing our community and resources together during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEWS + VIDEO + COMMUNITY VIBES • WWW.VOLUMEONE.ORG

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MARCH 31, 2020 • PULLING TOGETHER WHILE STAYING APART

WISCONSIN’S BEEN HERE BEFORE let’s learn from our past pandemic response, then repeat it WORDS BY B.J. HOLLARS

O

n October 11, 1918, Eau Claire citizens reached for their local newspaper to learn that their world had dramatically changed. Displayed prominently was an order from the local office of the Board of Health, which stated that for the foreseeable future, the city prohibited “all public meeting and gatherings of all descriptions.”

This included schools, universities, churches, lodges, dances, theaters, picture shows, and the public library.

Though these WAT C H T H E measures may V I D E O AT have seemed extreme for the VOLUMEONE.ORG city of 20,000, in fact, they were on par with similar directives to be implemented throughout the country.

Over the previous two weeks, the swiftly spreading Spanish influenza had wreaked havoc across the nation. By month’s end, it would claim the lives of more than 195,000 Americans – a death toll over 40% higher than all U.S. casualties throughout World War I, which was raging at the same time. After years of trench warfare half the world away, Americans were shocked to learn that a far deadlier battle was being waged in their own backyard.

No longer would victory and defeat be determined by the country’s armed forces.

Now, it was up to every American to fight.

“Prevention of the spread of this disease in this community depends absolutely upon the loyal and intelligent effort of every citizen,” Eau Claire’s Board of Health explained, adding also that the board “anxiously awaits your cordial support.”

And then a miracle occurred: The people of Eau Claire listened.

And even more astonishing: So did most folks statewide.

The state’s swift and decisive action soon served as a model for the country.

“Wisconsin was the only state in the nation to meet the crisis with uniform statewide measures that were unusual both for their aggressiveness and the public’s willingness to comply with them,” writes historian Steven Burg. As a result, Wisconsin’s citizens endured the pandemic with a death rate far lower than the national average.

SO WHAT DID WISCONSIN DO RIGHT? First, state leaders enacted policies to ensure that their citizens’ health

In retrospect, it seems a simple formula for success: Elect leaders you trust and then trust them to lead. But these days, trust is in short supply.

remained at the forefront. Though mindful of the economic, cultural, and political toll of shuttering schools and businesses, state leaders remained confident that doing so was the best course of action. “Inconvenience or monetary loss must result to a good many as a result of the order,” confirmed one Eau Claire doctor. He was right. But that knowledge didn’t deter the decision.

Second, citizens trusted their local, state, and federal government to lead them. Admittedly, it’s hard to imagine such trust given today’s polarizing political climate. But a century ago, Americans were nearing their third decade of the Progressive Era. They had long witnessed government’s ability to successfully solve problems as wide-ranging as industrialization and political corruption. And so,

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when leaders told citizens to stay indoors, the citizens listened.

In retrospect, it seems a simple formula for success: Elect leaders you trust and then trust them to lead. But these days, trust is in short supply. Recent Gallup polling reveals an erosion of confidence in our institutions, with over half of Americans expressing “very little” or “no” trust in Congress, and only slightly higher numbers for the presidency. We can debate the reasons for this erosion, but the result is beyond dispute: When we don’t trust, we don’t listen. And in this instance, not listening could have a dramatic and deadly effect.

In 1918, we trusted more, we listened better, and likely thousands of Wisconsinites were spared. In total, 8,500 of our state’s residents died –

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just over 1.2% of the estimated 675,000 Spanish flu-related American deaths.

In Eau Claire County, 52 people died.

While the loss of every citizen was surely felt, those who survived recognized how quickly that number might have skyrocketed had leaders and citizens responded differently.

Not only did Wisconsinites come together in common cause, but they excelled at it. For many, this meant isolating themselves in their homes for three months, a sacrifice they were willing to make to ensure the safety of their wider communities.

Writing in 2000, Steven Burg remarked, “In an age of apathy, cynicism, and individualism, it is worth reflecting long and hard that volunteerism, public cooperation, and an activist government prevented the worst public health calamity in modern Wisconsin history from being much, much worse.”

Are we still capable of looking beyond ourselves to limit long-term damage?

Or to put it more bluntly: Are we capable of living our lives as if all of our lives depend upon it?

Because now, all of our lives most certainly do.

That our personal health is directly linked to our collective action is, indeed, terrifying.

But here’s the good news: We Wisconsinites made the right choice before, and I believe we can do it again.

Please, be like our predecessors: Hole up, hunker down.

Let’s wave to each other from our windows.

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M A N AG I N G ST R ESS D U RI N G COV ID how adults & children can tackle ongoing stress WORDS BY YIA LOR

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e all experience stress at one point or another, and it’s a normal part of life. It can motivate us to succeed in a job interview, and it can even save our life when we encounter a bear in the woods. But what happens when we encounter that bear every day? Dealing with long-term stress – such as the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – can cause harm to our health as our body never receives the signal to calm down. Some physical symptoms may include an upset stomach and trouble sleeping. Stress can also impact our mental health if it causes us to feel worried or angry.

Below are some tips to help manage stressful times:

• Be sure to get plenty of sleep.

• Take a break from social media and news media.

• If you feel overwhelmed and have difficulty coping, reach out to your doctor or a health professional.

Everyone handles stress differently, and the key is finding what works for you.

• Get in some movement every day.

• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.

• Do something relaxing, such as meditation or yoga.

• Make time for activities you enjoy.

• Keep in touch with family, friends, and others in your community.

Children also deal with stress that can impact their daily lives. Parents and caregivers should watch for changes in behavior (such as excessive crying, unhealthy sleeping habits, avoidance of activities they enjoyed, and unexplained body aches).

Here are some ways to support children during these stressful times: •

Encourage them to talk about their concerns.

• Create a sense of structure by sticking with

• Be a role model, and take care of yourself because kids look to adults for how to respond.

Division of Extension offers a workshop called “Taking Care of You” (fyi.extension.wisc.edu/ takingcareofyou/) which teaches adults how to reduce stress in their body, mind, and spirit.

a routine.

• Correct misinformation, and limit exposure to social media and news media.

• Spend time together doing fun and relaxing activities.

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Everyone handles stress differently, and the key is finding what works for you. Whether or not you are experiencing stress at the moment, take some time today to focus on your own mental health and well-being. Create a self-care plan and practice it even when you are not stressed so that you are prepared for when the bear wanders into your life.

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MARCH 31, 2020 • PULLING TOGETHER WHILE STAYING APART

SAFER & HEALTHIER AT HOME an Eau Claire doctor offers tips on maintaining your family’s physical, mental, and emotional health W O R D S B Y D R . M O L L I E M E A G H E R / M AY O C L I N I C H E A LT H S Y S T E M • P H O T O B Y A N D R E A PA U L S E T H

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ince COVID-19 has dominated the headlines, our individual and collective health has been at the forefront of our minds. And while we know avoiding social contact can slow down the spread of this dangerous virus, staying inside all day for weeks on end may take a toll on our physical and mental health, too. Volume One talked to Dr. Mollie Meagher, a Family Medicine Resident Physician with Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, about how we can keep ourselves and our families healthy during this unusual, stressful time.

Volume One: Besides special safety concerns and suggestions to combat the spread of COVID-19, how can people stay healthy during quarantine or self-isolation?

Dr. Mollie Meagher: To stay healthy, continue to keep your normal routine as much as possible and stay connected to family and friends via virtual methods such as FaceTime, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or a simple phone call.

Continue to stay healthy and to be alert for symptoms by: • Keep your hands clean.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Cover your cough and sneezes to keep germs from spreading to others.

• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces routinely.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Always call your provider first before arriving at any health care facility for testing.

Will this be easier or harder when stuck at home?

This depends on how we approach this situation. If staying at home is looked

at as a time where we can’t do things it may be more difficult. However, I encourage everyone to look at it as a time to see what we can do. Read that good book you’ve been putting off, clean the clutter around your house, learn to cook a new meal, call an old friend or anyone who may need an uplifting phone call, spend quality time with children, rearrange your furniture, paint a room a new color, learn a new skill, get outside (while keeping a six-foot distance, of course). There are so many things in our busy lives that take a backseat. Use this as a time to check those off your list.

Is there anything specific we should watch out for, in terms of our physical or emotional health, while staying at home for weeks or months at a time? Any red flags to look for and address?

Physically, look out for overeating and being more sedentary. Emotionally, look for signs of loneliness, isolation or depression, or anxiety not only in ourselves but also in family and friends.

Feeling little interest in doing things, having trouble getting out of bed, having little energy to do things you normally enjoy, poor appetite or overeating, and trouble concentrating are all signs that you should call your doctor. In times of uncertainty, such as these, people can begin to feel very anxious. Look for things such as not being able to control worrying, becoming easily annoyed or irritable, or having difficulty relaxing. Again, reach out to your doctor for further discussion.

still allowed to get outside for walks, runs, hikes, or bike rides as long as we keep our six-foot distance from others. We live in a beautiful area with lots of biking and hiking trails to take advantage of.

Additionally there are several different services that are offering free online classes, challenges, and apps. Search on Google or YouTube for free classes as there are many for everyone.

As always, continue to support local businesses by reaching out to your local gym or yoga studio to ask if they offer any online options.

Can you speak to the importance of health and physical activity to one’s mental well-being?

Health and physical activity are known to help mental health and well-being.

When we exercise, our body releases endorphins which trigger a positive feeling. Exercising outside in nature is even better. So get back on that bike, treadmill,

Do you have any tips or resources to stay active and get some exercise while staying at home?

There are lots of ways to stay active during this time! Though in Wisconsin we are under shelter-in-place orders, we are

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or local trail and start being active.

What do you want the community to know in regards to health, safety, and wellbeing? What do you wish they knew and were doing?

Remember to continue to take care of yourself both physically and mentally, as this is a challenging time for everyone.

Follow all of the “Safer at Home” and quarantine guidelines, as these will help to keep all community members safe. Most of all, reach out to family and friends to continue to be social while keeping distance and always call your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your physical or mental health.

Yes. We are prepared to treat patients with COVID-19 and are preparing to do so at a pandemic level should that occur.

Dr. Mollie Meagher, D.O., is a Family Medicine Resident Physician with Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.

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MARCH 31, 2020 • PULLING TOGETHER WHILE STAYING APART

LOOKING FOR A GLIMMER OF HOPE WITHIN A DEVASTATING CRISIS a worldwide pandemic requires a shift in perspective WORDS BY JAKE WRASSE / PHOTO BY TAYLOR SMITH

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othing clarifies our priorities faster than a crisis. It commands our attention. Even with the worries, fears, and anxieties that we’ve felt rippling through our culture these past few years, the past month and COVID-19 have topped everything. We worry about what the future holds.

Our community faces a real threat, and we’re far from through the woods, yet I cannot help but be optimistic about our future. Despite political and cultural divisions, the novel coronavirus — and debates over how we respond to it — is bringing us together. Don’t believe me?

Believe me, I’m as surprised as anyone that I’m an optimist.

But consider this: When is the last time all of us had to think about the same thing, all the time? When have the consequences ever been this personal,

or this dire? When have we had to collectively — separately but simultaneously — re-imagine the world as we know it and make changes to support the most vulnerable among us?

These days, we’re rethinking our decisions with an eye toward whether or not we’re putting others at risk. We’re more aware than ever of whether or not we’re in someone else’s space. I’m not one to gamble, but I’d wager many of us have washed our hands better and more frequently this month than we did all of last summer.

The creative and rapid recalculations everyone is going through now cannot help but change us. Humans have always sought certainty and repeatability from their experiences, but the world makes no such guarantee. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us that ideas are not “common sense” by their own nature, but

When have we had to collectively — separately but simultaneously — reimagine the world as we know it and make changes to support the most vulnerable among us?

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because we wished them to be enduring truths. If only wishing made it so. How many unimaginable headlines — things you were sure we’d not see in our lifetimes — have you read this month?

We’re going to have to find new ways to make sense of our daily experience, and be open to solutions we’ve never considered before. Some of them will work, and some of them won’t. But we’ll take that journey together.

This journey will send ripples across the collective pools of common sense into which we gaze searching for certainty and predictability in our lives. It

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will change our notions of what’s possible, and what isn’t; what’s important to us, and what isn’t; and the power of the shared humanity that unites us, versus the ideas that divide us. We’ll support each other as we grieve the loss of the year we thought we’d have, and emerge knowing what we can achieve when we put each other first.

Humans aren’t perfect, and we often make things worse than they have to be. But there are always — ALWAYS — humans working to make things better for other people. I don’t think the coronavirus can change that.

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MARCH 31, 2020 • PULLING TOGETHER WHILE STAYING APART