Morning Update: Thursday, Nov. 18

Today's Weather: ☁️ Cold and cloudy. High: 33° Low: 19°

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Gooooood morning, Madison!

It's Thursday and we've got a lot of news to cover so let's just dive right in.

— Hayley

p.s. We're still experiencing technical difficulties when it comes to email sending. If you happen to get this email in the afternoon rather than the morning, don't be alarmed! We're working on the issue.

😷 Keep your masks on, kids.

• The University of Wisconsin has extended its mask mandate to Jan. 15, 2022, The Badger Herald reports. The university will review the policy again in mid-January to determine if another extension is necessary.

🦠 COVID-19 cases have reached a record high, surging mostly among the unvaccinated.

• Hospitalizations are on the rise across the state, with northwestern Wisconsin seeing the biggest increase. State data shows nearly 91% of hospital beds are currently in use.
• Pandemic related: COVID-19 memorial to be donated to Wisconsin Historical Society (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Another angle: Alone together: Seniors experienced heightened isolation during COVID-19 pandemic (Cap Times)

🥫 Students at East High School started a food pantry for fellow students in need.

• The project is a product of the school’s Food Equity Club. The idea for the new pantry came about during the pandemic when students weren't able to use an existing pantry set up inside the school, WORT reports.
• The pantry will be stocked with canned food available for any member of the Madison community 24/7.

🚲 Want to see your art on a BCycle?

• Madison BCycle is collecting submissions for their 2022 Art Bike Collection. BCycle art bikes are a collection of e-bikes that raise "money and awareness for worthy causes in Madison." Submit your work and learn more here.

🗳️ If you want to be a Madison poll worker, you'll have to be vaccinated.

• The city announced the policy earlier this week. All City of Madison poll workers will be required to give proof of COVID-19 vaccination by Jan. 7, 2022. Vaccine cards can be sent via email to the city clerk's office. The city has also set up times at several public libraries where poll workers without computers can complete the requirement. For full details, check out this Cap Times piece.

🚌 Mark your calendars, several metro transit service changes will go into effect Dec. 5.

• "To improve on-time performance, most route schedules have been changed by a minute or two," Metro Transit says. The affected routes include bus lines 6, 7, 8, 31, 33, and 38.

🛑 A pedestrian was injured crossing East Washington Ave. Wednesday night.

• A woman was crossing the street near the intersection of Annamark Drive past East Towne Mall when she was struck by a car. She was left with minor injuries.
• The bigger picture: At least six pedestrians have died this year after being hit by cars on East Washington Ave. The city is working with police to enforce lower speed limits in an attempt to reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths but 2021 has proved to be the deadliest year in the past decade for the major thoroughfare.

⚾ The Brewers have an award-winning pitcher.

• Corbin Burnes was given the Cy Young Award, which honors the top pitcher in each league. He was named a finalist earlier this month and beat out Max Scherzer from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Zack Wheeler from the Philadelphia Phillies in the process, WPR reports.

🏀 Your lunchtime read: Dominant wheelchair basketball teams back in action at UW-Whitewater: 'They turn out Paralympic athletes like crazy'

• From WPR: "There were five former UW-Whitewater players on the Team USA squad [Whitewater women’s wheelchair basketball coach Christina] Schwab coached in Tokyo. Between men and women, the school has won 16 intercollegiate titles in the sport since 1982. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign may be the only other program that boasts a longer history of dominance in the sport."

🦠 Covid-19 Resources

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 55.1%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 71.7%

Here's where to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you.

Need a COVID-19 test? PHMDC has you covered.

Are you eligible for a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna? Find out here.

Do you still need your flu shot? Start here.

📅 Events: Thursday, Nov. 18

• Sustain Dane Summit. A "day filled with education, inspiration, reflection, and connection." $75 general admission.
• Madison Night Market. Local art, live music. The market runs along State Street and Gilman Street. 4-9 p.m. See full list of vendors here.
• Holiday Cocktail Class at Garver Lounge. 2-3 hour class. Take home recipes, bitters and sweet vermouth so you are ready to recreate cocktails at home. 6 p.m. $160 for 2 people.
• Cooking with the Cap Times: Chef Tami Lax. Food editor Lindsay Christians will talk and prepare duck confit stuffing with Tami Lax, the chef and owner of Harvest and The Old Fashioned. Virtual attendees are welcome to cook along and encouraged to ask questions. 6 p.m. Virtual. Free.
• Holiday Bake-Along with The Baked Lab. Learn all the tips and tricks of the pie-trade. Virtual. 6 p.m. Free.
• Surfaces at The Sylvee.  Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:15 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
• Panchromatic Steel at High Noon Saloon. Tickets start at $12. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
• Phony Ppl at Wisconsin Union Theater. Tickets start at $35, with discounts for UW staff and students. 7:30 p.m.
• Late Night is back at Mint Mark for one night only. Late night eats and cocktails. 10 p.m.-close.