MADISON, Wis. – With Gov. Tony Evers set to issue a “safer at home” executive order, the Wisconsin Technology Council requests that his office and participating state agencies take a broad view of what constitutes “essential businesses” in the state.
Governors in states that include most of Wisconsin’s neighbors have issued similar orders in hopes of better protecting citizens from the dangerous effects of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, and Evers signaled Monday he will soon follow suit.
Commonly named essential businesses in other states include: Health care and public health; food and agriculture; energy; transportation and logistics; communications and information technology, including news media; critical manufacturing; hazardous materials; financial services; chemical supply chains and safety.
“As the Evers administration considers what businesses may qualify under such major headings, we would encourage an approach that takes into account research and development entities whose contributions can bolster the COVID-19 fight, suppliers to core industries such as health care, suppliers to manufacturers deemed critical and others – particularly young companies – that can bring special talents to the mix,” Tech Council President Tom Still said.
The Tech Council and the Wisconsin Healthcare Business Forum have been assisting in connecting potential suppliers of “personal protective equipment” and other critical needs to state and other appropriate clearinghouses.
“We congratulate the governor for doing his best to balance the pandemic crisis with other concerns that contribute to the health and welfare of Wisconsin,” Still said. “It’s an unprecedented time.”
The Wisconsin Technology Council is the independent, non-profit science and technology adviser to the governor and Legislature, with events, publications and outreach that contribute to Wisconsin’s tech-based economy. To join, go to www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com or call 608-442-7557.
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