>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.

>> A BUSY WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL AS LAWMAKERS DEBATE BILLS RANGING FROM POLICE REFORM TO VOTING RIGHTS.

>> AND THE FDA GREEN LIGHTS COVID-19 VACCINES FOR CHILDREN NINE AND OLDER AND OFFER SHOTS TO FAMILIES WITHIN THAT AGE GROUP.

>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," A UW PEDIATRICIAN SPEAKS TO THE SAFETY OF CHILD VACCINATIONS.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAC DU FLAMBEAU BAND DELIVERS THE TRIBE'S ADDRESS.

LAUREL WHITE SPEAKS TO A BUSY WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

AND MURV SEYMOUR TELLS THE STORY OF A MILWAUKEE FAMILY'S EXPERIENCE WITH COVID-19.

IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR MAY 14.

>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.

>> THE PFIZER VACCINE IS 100% EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING INFECTION IN CHILDREN AGES 12 TO 15.

AND THAT IS VERY, VERY GOOD NEWS, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN CASES AMONG CHILDREN RECENTLY.

VACCINATING CHILDREN IN THIS AGE GROUP WILL PREVENT INDIVIDUAL ILLNESS AND HELP STOP THE SPREAD AMONG OUR CHILDREN AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES SAYS THERE ARE SOME 300,000 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS IN WISCONSIN NOW ELIGIBLE TO GET A VACCINE.

A MONTH AGO ON THIS PROGRAM OUR NEXT GUEST TOLD IT IT WAS VITAL THAT CHILDREN GET COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AS SOON AS THEY ARE CLEARED TO DO SO.

THEY ARE NOW CLEARED AND SHOTS ARE ALREADY GOING IN THEIR ARMS.

PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT UW, DR. JIM CONWAY, IS HERE AND THANKS A LOT FOR BEING HERE.

>> NICE TO BE BACK WITH YOU.

>> SO WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THE ABILITY OF THE 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS NOW BEING ABLE TO GET VACCINATED?

>> I'M NOT SURPRISED BUT REALLY QUIT THRILLED THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE IN THIS DIRECTION.

SINCE WE'VE TALKED LAST, THE PROPORTION OF CASES RELATED TO CHILDREN HAS INCREASED TO THE POINT WHERE ALMOST ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE POSITIVE TESTS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE IN CHILDREN.

WE RECOGNIZE AS WE'VE IMMUNIZED BROADLY IN THE OLDER INDIVIDUALS, WE'VE GOT THIS SUSCEPTIBLE GROUP OF CHILDREN THAT ARE REALLY VULNERABLE.

WHILE THEY GENERALLY DO WELL WITH THE DISEASE, WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT EVERY KID NEEDS AND DESERVES TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST THIS.

>> AS A PEDIATRICIAN, WHAT ARE YOU TELLING FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT WHAT THEY SHOULD EXPECT IN TERMS OF SIDE-EFFECTS?

>> IT'S SIMILAR TO OTHER YOUNG ADULTS.

FIRST DOSE MOST PEOPLE TOLERATE FAIRLY WELL.

IT'S THAT SECOND DOSE WHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS READY AND PRIMED WHERE YOU GET MORE OF AN IMMUNO LOGIC RESPONSE.

THE REACTIONS DO SEEM TO BE MORE SIGNIFICANT IF PEOPLE HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD COVID.

KNOWING IF AND WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAD COVID GIVES YOU A REASON TO PAUSE AND TALK TO YOUR PROVIDER BECAUSE WE'RE RECOMMENDING SOME PEOPLE WAIT A LITTLE BIT LONGER AFTER THEY'VE RECOVERED TO MAKE SURE THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM HAS SETTLED DOWN.

>> OTHER THAN THAT, WHAT ARE YOU TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT'S WORTH THIS AGE GROUP TO GET VACCINATED?

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

EVERYBODY DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PROTECTED.

WHILE KIDS DO WELL, WE'VE HAD 13,000, 14,000 KIDS ADMITTED TO HOSPITALS, ALMOST 300 DEATHS.

THIS IS LIKE THE WORST FLU SEASON YOU'D SEE IN KIDS.

KIDS HAVE NOT COME THROUGH THIS UNSCATHED, SO IT'S REALLY WORTHWHILE TO BE PROTECTED.

ALSO FROM A MENTAL HEALTH STANDPOINT.

FOR THOSE OF US VACCINATED, THE SENSE OF RELIEF THAT YOU CAN START TO FEEL MORE NORMAL IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND KIDS HAVE REALLY BORNE THE BRUNT OF A LOT OF THIS.

THEY AREN'T MEANT TO BE SITTING IN FRONT OF SCREENS.

THEY NEED TO BE TOGETHER, BE ABLE TO PLAY SPORTS, INTRAMURALS, EXTRA CURRICULARS.

THIS IS WHAT GETS THEM BACK.

>> THE IMPORTANT BOTTOM LINE QUESTION IS HOW SAFE IS IT FOR CHILDREN TO GET THIS VACCINATION?

>> YEAH.

I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE IS THE REASON IT TOOK A WHILE IS BECAUSE IT REALLY DID NEED TO BE STUDIED IN A SYSTEMIC WAY.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THESE WORKED IN ADULTS FIRST AND THEN GRADUALLY WORK OUR WAY INTO THESE YOUNGER AGE GROUPS.

IT'S STILL GOING TO BE SOME MONTHS UNTIL WE SEE DATA FROM THE SIX TO 11-YEAR-OLDs.

AS MUCH AS WE WANT TO PROTECT THE POPULATION, WE NEED TO BE PATIENT AND LET SCIENCE WORK ITS MAGIC.

>> HOW DO YOU EXPECT GETTING YOUNGER AGES VACCINATED WILL HELP GOING INTO BUSY, KIND OF SUMMER ACTIVITIES?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO FUNCTION MUCH MORE NORMALLY THAN WE HAD HOPED THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO.

THIS IS PART OF THE SEASON YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT CHANGING HOW MASKING AND SOCIALIZING WORKS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

THIS GIVES THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THOSE THINGS IN A LOT MORE NORMAL MANNER.

LOOKING AT THE FALL AND WHAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE FURTHER REEE AMERICA JEBS OFEMERGENCE OF THE DISEASE, THIS IS TO REMOVE THESE POCKETS OF SUSCEPTIBLES THAT ARE GOING TO DRIVE TRANSMISSION.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CDC GUIDANCE THAT VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN NOW GO WITHOUT A MASK INDOORS EVEN?

>> IT MAKES SENSE FROM A SCIENTIFIC STANDPOINT.

WE KNOW THAT THESE VACCINES ARE PERFORMING BETTER THAN WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD.

THE BREAKTHROUGH RATE OF PEOPLE DEVELOPING INFECTIONS IS LESS THAN 1%.

IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE.

THE WHOLE IDEA OF MASKING WAS TO PROTECT PEOPLE THAT WERE AROUND INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE ILL.

I THINK THAT IT'S GOTTEN LOST IN ALL THE DISCOURSE THAT THE MASK ITSELF DOESN'T PROTECT THE WEARER ALL THAT MUCH.

IT PROTECTS OTHERS FROM INFECTED INDIVIDUALS AND DIMINISHING THE AEROSOL THEY CAN GENERATE.

ONCE IMMUNIZED, A MASK ISN'T THAT NECESSARILY.

THE OPTICS OF IT IS IS HARD BECASE WE'VE DIVIDED VACCINE PASSPORTS ARE NOT SOMETHING WE'RE EMBRACING.

BUT FROM A SCIENTIFIC STANDPOINT, IT ACTUALLY DOES MAKE SENSE TO DROP MASKS FOR THOSE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> WISCONSIN HAS A 39% RATE OF FULL VACCINATION.

HOW ENCOURAGED OR DISCOURAGED ARE YOU BY THAT NUMBER?

>> I THINK WE'RE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.

I THINK WE WOULD LIKE IT TO GO FASTER.

BUT I THINK ALSO WE'VE REALIZED THAT PEOPLE DO WANT TO DO THIS IN A MORE CONVENIENT WAY IN MANY PLACES.

SO YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE DECENTRALIZATION OF THESE VACCINE CENTERS, MOBILE VACCINATION TEAMS AND MOVING IT INTO PRIMARY PROVIDER OFFICES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO TALK WITH THEIR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER AND DO IT IN THOSE SETTINGS.

THAT'S WHERE I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING NOW.

>> DR. JIM CONWAY, THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ENCOURAGES PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS TO SCHEDULE A VACCINATION THROUGH THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, LOCAL AND TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS OR AT PHARMACIES.

YOU CAN GO TO VACCINES..GOV TO LOCATE A SITE OR CALL THE VACCINE HOTLINE AT 1-844-684-1064.

AT THE STATE CAPITOL IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK.

THE REPUBLICAN-HELD LEGISLATURE PASSED A SLATE OF BILLS DEALING WITH ELECTION LAWS AND MEASURES AROUND POLICING.

AND THIS AFTERNOON THE STATE SUPREME COURT WEIGHED IN ON REDISTRICTING.

WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO CAPITOL REPORTER LAUREL WHITE TAKES US THROUGH IT NOW.

VERY NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> SO TODAY'S MUCH-ANTICIPATED ORDER FROM THE HIGH COURT REPRESENTS A DEFEAT FOR REPUBLICANS IN THE DRAWING OF POLITICAL MAPS.

WHY?

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> BASICALLY WHAT REPUBLICANS WERE ASKING FOR HERE -- AND THIS IS A FORMER REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY SPEAKER AND THE WISCONSIN INSTITUTE FOR LAW AND LIBERTY, WHICH IS A CONSERVATIVE GROUP.

THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A RULE CHANGE ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO GET LAWSUITS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH WISCONSIN'S LEGISLATIVE MAPS TO START OUT AUTOMATICALLY, IMMEDIATELY SORT OF BY DEFAULT WITH THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT INSTEAD OF A LOWER COURT OR A FEDERAL COURT.

AND BASICALLY THAT'S JUST KIND OF SPEEDING UP THE PROCESS AND GETTING THE STATE SUPREME COURT TO RULE ON THESE MAPS, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO BE CONTROVERSIAL.

>> AND DEMS HAVE CALLED THIS A GOOD THING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

DEMOCRATS THINK IT'S MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE LOWER COURTS TO BE ABLE TO WEIGH IN, FOR FEDERAL COURTS TO BE A PART OF THIS.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THESE MAPS ARE EXPECTED TO END UP IN COURT BECAUSE OF THE SPLIT BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AND THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.

HE'S UNLIKELY TO SIGN WHAT REPUBLICANS DRAW.

SO WE'RE KIND OF GEARING UP FOR THAT LEGAL BATTLE WE'RE EXPECTING IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO AS TO LEGISLATIVE SESSION BUSINESS THIS WEEK, LET'S TALK ABOUT THOSE ELECTION LAW BILLS, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT GOVERNOR EVERS IS MOST LIKELY TO VETO THEM.

BUT ONE WOULD RESTRICT PRIVATE FUNDS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS.

SO WHAT'S AN EXAMPLE IN WISCONSIN FROM THE 2020 ELECTION THAT PROMPTED THAT BILL?

>> WELL, WISCONSIN ACTUALLY GOT QUITE A FEW PRIVATE GRANTS FOR THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THE FIVE LARGEST CITIES IN THE STATE GOT PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL GRANTS FROM AN ORGANIZATION CALLED THE CENTER FOR TECH AND CIVIC LIFE.

THAT'S A GROUP THAT'S FUNDED BY MARK ZUCKERBERG AND HIS WIFE PRISCILLA CHAN.

WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING FOR HERE IS EITHER A LIMITATION ON THOSE FUNDS OR AN ENTIRE ELIMINATION OF THE GRANT FUNDS BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT IT GETS THESE PRIVATE GROUPS INVOLVED IN A WAY THEY SHOULDN'T BE INVOLVED, GIVES THEM TOO MUCH SAY IN SOME KIND OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION PROCESSES.

SO THIS IS A PRETTY HIGH-PROFILE BILL THAT HAS TO DO WITH ELECTIONS.

>> REPUBLICANS ALSO WANT TO RESTRICT COLLECTION OF AB TEN SEE BALLOTS.

THIS IS AROUND HOW MADISON ALLOWED THE COLLECTION OF BALLOTS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

MADISON HAD A FEW EVENTS IN THE FALL, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, WHERE PEOPLE WERE ALLOWED TO RETURN ABSENTEE BALLOTS TO PARK LOCATIONS AROUND THE CITY, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO RETURN BALLOTS WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT THEM IN THE MAIL OR DRIVE THEM TO THEIR CLERK'S OFFICE.

PEOPLE COULD ALSO GET A WITNESS SIGNATURE FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT IF THEY NEEDED A WITNESS FOR THEIR BALLOT.

AND REPUBLICANS THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS INAPPROPRIATE.

THEY DIDN'T THINK THAT IT WAS SECURE ENOUGH TO HAVE THESE KIND OF PARK-BASED EVENTS AWAY FROM CLERKS' OFFICES AND SO THEY WANT TO JUST RESTRICT WHERE EVENTS CAN BE LOCATED AND WHEN THEY CAN BE HELD.

>> NOW, ANOTHER BILL WOULD BAN CLERKS FROM FILLING IN MISSING INFORMATION ON ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

HOW IS THIS A CHANGE FROM CURRENT LAW?

>> WELL, THIS IS A REALLY INTERESTING BILL.

KIND OF THE BIGGEST THING HERE IS THAT THEY ARE PUTTING IT INTO STATE LAW.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE POLICIES REGARDING CLERKS ADDING INFORMATION TO BALLOTS -- AND THIS IS SOMETHING LIKE A MISSING ADDRESS FOR A WITNESS ON AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND THEY GET THAT INFORMATION FROM OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.

AND AS OF RIGHT NOW, THEIR ABILITY TO DO THAT IS GOVERNED BY STATE ELECTIONS COMMISSION GUIDANCE, NOT STATE LAW.

SO REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS THAT ARE BACKING THIS BILL SAY, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WERE KIND OF CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PRACTICE AND WE FEEL LIKE IT SHOULD BE WRITTEN INTO LAW AND NOT JUST BE GUIDANCE COMING FROM AN AGENCY.

>> SO THE PASSAGE OF THESE WAS ALONG PARTY-LINE VOTES.

ARE REPUBLICANS MAINTAINING CHANGES ARE NEEDED BECAUSE OF ELECTION FRAUD?

>> SO THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A VERY BIG CONVERSATION ABOUT FRAUD.

THE KIND OF PRIMARY LINE FROM REPUBLICANS ABOUT THESE PROPOSALS IS MORE ABOUT ELECTION INTEGRITY AND PEOPLE'S FAITH IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

SO THEY SAY THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY SAYING THERE WAS FRAUD OR POINTING TO SPECIFIC FRAUD.

IT'S US SAYING PEOPLE HAVE VOICED CONCERNS, CONTACTED US, AND WE NEED TO DO THINGS TO MAKE THE PROCESS MORE CONCRETE, MORE SET IN STATE LAW THAT'S GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE.

>> AS TO POLICING BILL, COMPOSITION OF POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONS, DATA COLLECTION AND TRANSPARENCY AROUND USE OF FORCE.

HOW DO THESE MEASURES DOVETAIL WITH THE WORK OF THE SPEAKER'S TASK FORCE ON RACIAL DISPARITIES, WHICH IS ALSO DEALING WITH POLICE PRACTICES?

>> PRETTY DIRECTLY.

SO THESE ARE THE FIRST VOTES THAT WE'VE SEEN ON POLICE REFORM IN WISCONSIN.

IT'S TAKEN A LOT LONGER THAN SOME FOLKS WANTED TO GET VOTES ON THESE BILLS.

AND A LOT OF THESE PROPOSALS ARE DIRECT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THIS TASK FORCE.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THINGS LIKE USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS BEING RECORDED, HAVING POLICE PERSONNEL RECORDS BE MORE AVAILABLE IF AN OFFICER IS GOING TO BE HIRED BY ANOTHER AGENCY.

I THINK IT'S REALLY INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THERE WERE VOTES ON A NUMBER OF THESE BILLS IN THE SENATE THIS WEEK, BUT A LOT OF THE HIGH-PROFILE BILLS, BILLS ON THINGS LIKE CHOKEHOLDS OR NO-KNOCK WARRANTS.

THOSE HAVEN'T SEEN VOTES ON THE FLOOR YET.

<!32768> LAUREL WHITE, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR INFORMATION FROM THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU.

>> NOW TO THE U.S. CAPITOL, WHERE HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTED TO REMOVE WYOMING REPUBLICAN CONGRESSWOMAN LIZ CHENEY FROM HER CONFERENCE LEADERSHIP POSITION.

SHE HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE OUTSPOKEN AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CLAIMS OF FRAUD IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

REPRESENTATIVE MARK POCAN SAYS THE MOVE WAS A SIGN OF A PARTY IN DISARRAY.

>> THEY GOT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY ARE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S WHY LIZ CHENEY WHICH I DON'T HAVE IN COMMON WITH AND THEY WOULD THROW HER OUT FOR SOMEONE WITH A MORE LIBERAL VOTING RECORD BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T CONTINUE TO KISS THE RING OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THAT'S A CULT.

THAT'S NOT A POLITICAL PARTY.

>> ALL FIVE WISCONSIN HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTED TO REMOVE CHENEY FROM HER LEADERSHIP POST.

CONGRESSMAN MIKE GALLAGHER SAID IN A STATEMENT, QUOTE, "HOUSE DEMOCRATS UNDER SPEAKER PELOSI HAVE BEEN RUTHLESS IN ADVANCING THEIR AGENDA AND CHENEY CAN NO LONGER UNIFY THEM.

WE NEED TO TAKE BACK THE HOUSE IN 2022 AND PERMANENTLY RETIRE PELOSI."

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAC DU FLAMBEAU GAVE THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE TRIBES ADDRESS THIS WEEK.

JOHN J. JOHNSON, SR.

TOUCHED ON A WIDE ARRAY OF ISSUES FACING THE NATION: THE LOSS OF LIFE FROM COVID-19, OPIOID ADDICTION, BIGOTRY AROUND TREATY RIGHTS.

HERE'S SOME OF HIS ADDRESS.

>> WE ASK ALL LEVELS OF STATE GOVERNMENT TO BALANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS.

ACCORDING TO OUR TEACHINGS, THE LACKLAC DU FLAMBEAU AND MANY OTHER TRIBES MAKE DECISIONS WITH SEVEN GENERATIONS IN MIND.

WE ASK OUR HOW OUR DECISIONS IMPACT THOSE WHO WILL COME HUNDREDS OF YEARS FROM NOW.

WE RESPECTFULLY ASK EVERY LEVEL OF STATE GOVERNMENT TO DO THE SAME.

[APPLAUSE] >> EARLIER I MENTIONED DIFFERENT LENSES THROUGH WHICH OUR PEOPLE ARE VIEWED.

ONE LENS VIEWS OUR PEOPLE SOLELY ON RACE AND SKIN COLOR.

MUCH IS MADE OF CANCEL CULTURE AND MODERN AMERICA THESE DAYS.

WE PROUDLY STAND HERE BEFORE YOU AS SURVIVORS OF THE ULTIMATE CANCEL CULTURE EFFORT.

THERE'S NO MORE -- [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU.

THERE IS NO MORE ENDURING ASSAULT ON A SINGLE CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES THAN THE ONGOING ASSAULT ON THE CULTURE OF NATIVE PEOPLE.

FEDERAL POLICIES, ALIMB ELIMINATION OF OUR CULTURE, CHILDREN FORCED FROM THEIR PARENTS' ARMS, CHILDREN FORCED TO CUT THEIR HAIR, CHILDREN BEATEN INTO SUBMISSION FOR SPEAKING THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE AND OBSERVING THEIR NATIVE CULTURE.

AS WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA ON HUMAN BEINGS, WE CAN SEE THE LASTING EFFECTS OF THOSE FEDERAL POLICIES AND HOW THOSE REVERBERATE THROUGHOUT OUR DAILY LIVES.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED IN THE NORTHWOODS.

MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES ARE THE UNDERBELLY OF MANY PROBLEMS: HOMELESSNESS, UNEMPLOYMENT, CRIME.

THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

THERE'S A STATE BUDGET PROPOSED FOR A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY LOCATED AMONG MANY TRIBAL NATIONS WITHIN WISCONSIN.

INVESTMENT BY THE STATE TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE NORTHWOODS WILL PAY FOR ITSELF IN COUNTLESS WAYS.

THIS IS NOT A PLEA FOR SYMPATHY.

RATHER, A CALL FOR UNDERSTANDING, ACCEPTANCE AND ACTIONS TOWARDS A MORE SEAMLESSLY TO COEXIST.

THERE ARE DEEP DIFFERENCES AND DISRESPECT THAT HAVE FESTERED FOR GENERATIONS.

THESE LEAD TO DISDAIN SPREADING ACROSS THE CULTURES.

THESE GET ALL THE HEADLINES.

PERPETRATING AND POISONING RELATIONSHIPS.

HISTORY IS A BEAR TO OVERCOME.

OUR TESTIMONY ARE A TESTAMENT TO THAT FACT, A TESTAMENT TO THE TENACITY AND DETERMINATION.

THEY DEMONSTRATE EVERY DAY THEIR WILL TO SUCCEED IN THE MODERN WORLD AND OUR TRADITIONAL WORLD.

RELENTLESS EDUCATION OF ALL CHILDREN IS OUR STRONGEST APPROACH TO BREAKING SYSTEMATIC RACISM, BIGOTRY REPEATED GENERATION AFTER GENERATION.

PROSECUTION OF HATE CRIMES ALSO HELPS.

CONFLICT OVER RACE, ETHNICITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND OTHER DIFFERENCES ONLY HOLD US BACK.

THE RECENT PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 69 DESERVES APPLAUSE AND SUPPORT.

TO YOUR CREDIT, THIS LEGISLATOR IS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

[APPLAUSE] >> THIS NOW REQUIRES ALL SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST AND OTHER GENOCIDES.

IT'S A SYSTEMATIC, STATE-SPONSORED KILLING OF SIX MILLION JEWISH MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS BY NAZI GERMANY AND COLLABORATORS BETWEEN 1933 AND 1945.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO REALIZE AND RECOGNIZE SYSTEMIC STATE-SPONSORED KILLINGS IN A CLOSE RELATIVE SYSTEMATIC RACISM.

>> PRESIDENT JOHN D. JOHNSON SR. DELIVERING THE ADDRESS.

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING COVID-19 HAS PUT A STRAIN ON FAMILIES CONNECTING IN AN UP-CLOSE AND PERSONAL WAY THESE DAYS.

A MILWAUKEE PHARMACIST HAS BEEN ABLE TO BRING FOUR GENERATIONS OF HER FAMILY CLOSER BY DOING HER JOB.

"HERE AND NOW" SPECIAL PROJECTS JOURNALISM MURV SEYMOUR HAS THE STORY.

>> SHE WAS BORN IN ASHLAND, YOU KNOW.

>> LYNN AND LAUREN CHARS ARE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.

>> MY MOM IS SOMEONE WHO I'M VERY CLOSE WITH.

>> WITH A PICTURE PERFECT RELATIONSHIP.

>> SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET US CONFUSED BECAUSE OUR NAMES BOTH START WITH L. WE KIND OF LOOK ALIKE.

>> MY DAUGHTER IS A PHARMACIST FOR CVS.

SHE'S BEEN DOING THAT FOR ONE YEAR.

>> BECAUSE OF COVID-19... >> HER GRADUATION WAS PLACED ON HOLD.

>> IT TOOK A VILLAGE TO GET ME THROUGH THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM.

I'M AN ONLY CHILD, BUT I DO HAVE A LARGE EXTENDED FAMILY, INCLUDING MY GRANDMOTHER.

>> FROM A PICNIC TABLE AT A DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE PARK.

>> THIS IS FOR PACKER PARTY.

>> MOM AND DAUGHTER CYST THROUGH -- SIFT THROUGH PHOTOS.

>> WE ADORE HER.

SHE'S A STRONG LEADER AND BUILT A FOUNDATION FOR A WONDERFUL FAMILY.

I WOULDN'T BE WHERE I AM TODAY WITHOUT HER.

>> FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS, SHE'S BEEN LIVING IN A NURSING HOME, THE SAME ONE WHERE LAUREN'S MOM WORKS AS A SPEECH THERAPIST?

>> WE USED TO VISIT HER EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> BEFORE COVID-19, GRANDMA CLARE HAD PRENTY OF VISITS.

>> SHE WAS ABLE TO COME INTO THE BUILDING AT THAT TIME PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> DURING THE PANDEMIC, THEY'VE HAD TO LOVE CLARE FROM A DISTANCE.

>> I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HER GETTING THE VIRUS AND MAYBE NOT MAKING IT BECAUSE OF HER AGE.

SHE'S 87.

THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54 WEEKS THAT WENT BY WHERE WE WEREN'T ABLE TO VISIT HER.

>> TO EASE THE PAIN OF NOT SEEING HER, THEY SET UP WINDOW VISITS.

>> SOMETIMES WE HAD SOME LARGE, BRIGHT POSTERS, HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA, HAPPY THANKSGIVING, GRANDMA.

SHE WAS ABLE TO BE REMINDED OF THE LOVE AROUND HER.

<!32768> IT WAS >> IT WAS AN OPPORTUNIT TO SEE SOMEBODY YOU HADN'T SEEN FOR A YEAR.

>> LAUREN'S UNIQUE ROLE WOULD GIVE HER AND HER FAMILY AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT AND SEE GRANDMA CLARE IN PERSON.

>> I TRAVEL AROUND TO CVS LOCATIONS IN THE GREATER MILWAUKEE AREA.

MY FIRST RESPONSIBILITY IS TO FILL PRESCRIPTIONS.

I ALSO NOW PARTICIPATE IN ENHANCED SERVICES TO HELP WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

I WENT TO SEVERAL NURSING HOMES.

>> CVS SET UP ON-SITE VACCINATION CLINICS AT MORE THAN 1800 LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES IN WISCONSIN.

CLARE'S NURSING HOME WAS ONE OF THEM.

>> I DEFINITELY LOVE GIVING IMMUNIZATIONS.

>> A LOT OF THOSE VACCINATIONS WERE PROVIDED AT THE HANDS OF THIS ROOKIE PHARMACIST SOME NICKNAMED THE VACCINATOR.

AND, YES, LAUREN PROUDLY GOT TO DELIVER A SHOT IN THE ARM TO MOM, GRANDMA AND THE OTHERS AT CLARE'S NURSING HOME.

>> I WAS ABLE TO SWITCH AROUND MY SCHEDULE WITH THE HELP OF SOME OF MY SUPERVISOR AND COLLEAGUES TO BE THERE AT THE SPECIFIC NURSING HOME WHERE MY MOTHER WORKS AND MY GRANDMOTHER LIVES.

I KNOW THAT SO MANY FOLKS IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ARE REALLY STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THEIR LOVED ONES.

>>>> SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, LAUREN'S MOM SAYS... >> I THINK OF WORDS THAT BEGIN WITH C. COMMUNICATION WAS NUMBER ONE.

THE OTHER ONE WAS COMPASSION.

THE OTHER C WORD IS CARE GIVING.

I WAS A THERAPIST, BUT I BECAME A CAREGIVER.

THE VACCINE PROVIDED US WITH A CURE, BUT IT PROVIDED US WITH CONFIDENCE IN BEING ABLE TO LIVE NORMALLY AGAIN.

>> BEING ABLE TO FINALLY GET TO HAVE A VISIT IN PERSON WITH MY FAMILY MEMBER IS ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS.

>> THE OTHER GIFT?

A VISIT TO GRANDMA FROM THE DOCTORAL GRADUATE GRANDDAUGHTER JUST BEFORE HER OFFICIAL GRADUATION CEREMONY.

>> GRANDMA CLARE WAS ABLE TO SEE LAUREN IN HER GRADUATION GOWN AND CAP.

SHE SAID CONGRATULATIONS, DR. CHARS.

WHEN'S THE PARTY?

>> PRETTY SURE.

>> LAUREN CHARS.

>> IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

REPORTING FOR "HERE AND NOW," I'M MURV SEYMOUR.

>> DR. CHARS IS A GRADUATE OF BUTLER UNIVERSITY IN INDIANA.

CVS TELLS US MORE THAN 77,000 OF THE MOST VULNERABLE WISCONSINITES RECEIVED VACCINATIONS AT THEIR LOCATIONS.

FOR CONTINUING COVERAGE ON COVID-19, GO TO pbswisconsin.org AND THEN CLICK ON THE NEWS PAGE.

THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.

I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.