Because of the continuing spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers issued a state-wide stay-at-home order that took effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 25, and will last until April 24, unless otherwise stated. Four-hundred-fifty-seven tests have returned to patients positive and as it stands now, five Wisconsinites have died (WPR Staff, Live: What To Know March 25 About COVID-19 In Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Radio). Although there is a feeling of disappointment and frustration that covers the nation, as we knew that COVID-19 was coming and did not take the proper precautions when considering the potential impact it could have on our country, each of us can still do our part to help the virus pass by dramatically reducing our amount of travel. Although there has been a reduction in the number of civilians using public transportation, there are still approximately, 4,288,171 licensed drivers in Wisconsin (Wagner, Total number of licensed drivers in the U.S. in 2018, by State, Statista). It is in everyone’s best interest that for those who do not need to travel and can work remotely from home, stay home. By staying at home, we contain the spreading of the virus from one person to another. We best help those who are continuously exposed to the virus like doctors, grocers, policemen and women, and fire fighters, by decreasing their workload and probability of contracting COVID-19 themselves. Let’s do our part. The State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation states that in 2018, there were 144,212 auto accidents in Wisconsin (Final year-end crash statistics, State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation). Let’s use COVID-19 as an opportunity to make this number practically disappear.

Final year-end crash statistics, State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/statistics/final.aspx

Wagner, I., Total number of licensed drivers in the U.S. in 2018, by State, Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/198029/total-number-of-us-licensed-drivers-by-state/

WPR Staff, Live: What To Know March 25 About COVID-19 In Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Radio, https://www.wpr.org/live-what-know-march-25-about-covid-19-wisconsin