Morning Update: Thursday, Dec. 23

Good morning, Madison!

Happy Thursday!

I want to flag something that we recently added to our Covid-19 resources section. A lot of people don't know this, but you can request an at-home testing kit from the state.

These are not rapid tests, so you'll need to ship your sample back to a lab.

With shipping and everything else, it might take a while to get results, but it's an option.

— Sam

🗑️ Trash day is still on for tomorrow!

• The city will still make scheduled trash pickups on Christmas Eve, but you'll want to put your bins out early because they're trying to wrap routes up by 11 a.m.
• The city-run waste drop-off sites will be closing by 11 a.m., too.
• And as a reminder, you can find your waste pickup schedule here.

💵 State employees will be getting a 2% raise.

• One position — the Milwaukee County District Attorney — was singled out by legislators and will not receive a pay raise.
• Lawmakers say they excluded the position from the across-the-board raises because the current District Attorney's office recommended a $1,000 bail for Darrell Brooks in a domestic violence case. Brooks later drove into a crowd at the Waukesha Christmas Parade, killing six people.

🎄 Did you have trouble finding a Christmas tree this year? You’re not the only one.

• It’s been a good couple of years for sales at cut-your-own farms and retail lots, the Cap Times reports. One local spot sold out by Dec. 11th this year.
• “It’s nuts,” one lot owner told the Cap Times. “Nothing’s left — so that’s very surprising. Usually you’ll see some all the way up to Christmas.”

🦁 Fun fact: 80% of the animals at Henry Vilas Zoo have now been vaccinated against Covid-19.

• Many zoo animals are susceptible to catching the virus. In just one example, nine big cats at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. were recently diagnosed with Covid-19.
• “It goes to show our animals are not that different from humans," Henry Vilas Zoo's marketing manager said. "We all still need to take COVID seriously.”

📗 Madison libraries will be closed this weekend and next weekend.

• More from the announcement: "Madison Public Libraries will be closed this weekend December 24-26 AND next weekend December 31, 2021-January 2, 2022. While our physical spaces are closed, you can continue to access LINKcat to place holds, check your record, or renew items you've checked out and book returns will remain open for 24/7 returns."
• Get all the details here.

🦠 Covid-19 Resources

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 57.8%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 75.7%

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

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

Do you still need your flu shot? Start here.

NEW: Request an at-home testing kit.

📅 Events: Thursday, Dec. 23

• Holiday Blood Drive at Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Lynda & The Zeros at High Noon Saloon. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. $10 advance, $12 at door.
• A Very Merry Christmas: Stand-Up Comedy at The Rigby. Lineup of comedians from across Wisconsin and Austin, Texas. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $10 advance, $15 at door.
• Holly Jolly Amateur Burlesque at Crucible. Burlesque performances, prizes, snacks. 7 p.m. $10.
• Insidious: The Feast of St. Krampus at Crucible. "Come sit on St. Krampus's lap and tell him how you've been bad last year." 9 p.m. $5.