The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected all our lives. Without a quick, coordinated and competent federal or state response, we’ve had to rely on local coordination and care. COVID-19 also made clearer disparities in resources, health care and quality of life that we must address. 

Northside neighbors and businesses responded with thoughtful creativity to keep people safe and employed. Community gardens, reconfigured farmers markets, businesses offering new services, and essential workers all played a part in helping our community survive the first 10 months of the pandemic. Neighbors helping neighbors made an incredible difference and will continue to be crucial until widespread distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines.

As your alder, I urged Public Health to issue a mask mandate and increase testing and contact tracing. In response to community concerns and emerging science, Public Health updated COVID-related orders
several times. 

The pandemic posed a risk to voters’ sense of confidence, but our city clerk’s office led an effort to make absentee voting and early in-person voting safe and accessible. The city has prevailed in lawsuits that threatened these innovative solutions, so voters can continue to vote absentee in this year’s elections.

Even a pandemic couldn’t prevent the national racial justice movement from responding to documented police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. I advocated for the establishment of a new mental health Crisis Response Team in the 2021 budget. I worked with my fellow alders, Madison police, the city attorney’s office, and many residents to implement independent civilian oversight over the police. I will continue to work toward safety, justice and peace in 2021.

Please continue to care for yourselves and our neighbors by practicing COVID-19 prevention: wear masks, keep physically distant from others, and wash hands frequently. Use community resources and offer support to neighbors. We’ve much to do to protect our Northside communities.