The NNS coronavirus update for week of Feb. 1: Committee approves nomination of health commissioner nomination; how to protect yourself from COVID-19 scams | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
February 1, 2021
Interim Health Commissioner Marlaina Jackson said she expects anywhere from 700 to 1,000 people to receive the vaccine Monday, drawing from people who registered on HealthyMKE.com. (Photo by Adam Carr)
Here’s the latest update on COVID-19 in Milwaukee and the resources you need to combat it.
The Wisconsin Center, the city’s main COVID-19 vaccination site, will be reserving Mondays for vaccinating people over the age of 65 starting this week.
Interim Health Commissioner Marlaina Jackson said she expects anywhere from 700 to 1,000 people to receive the vaccine Monday, drawing from people who registered on HealthyMKE.com.
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Jackson also said the city plans to create a COVID-19 phone hotline by next week.
The Wisconsin Center is located at 400 W Wisconsin Ave.
The Milwaukee Common Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee voted to confirm the nomination of Kirsten Johnson to be the city’s health commissioner on Jan. 28.  The Common Council will now vote on her confirmation  Feb. 9.
Johnson, the director and health officer of the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department, was nominated by Mayor Tom Barrett to replace Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik, who left the department in September
Johnson fielded questions from committee members on health disparities and COVID-19 response preceding the vote.
“My immediate goal for the department is to get through the pandemic, get shots in arms and mitigate risk,” Johnson said.
Have you heard an offer for the COVID-19 vaccine that seems too good to be true?
It probably is.
The Better Business Bureau is warning people about scams relating to the vaccine, as its Scam Tracker has seen reports of people being offered vaccines with a catch.
The scam can come as a phone call, email or message on social media, telling you that you’re eligible for a coronavirus vaccine. But the person asks for your personal information and payment up front.
The BBB recommends you familiarize yourself with the Wisconsin vaccine rollout, double check information provided by anyone offering vaccines and contact your doctor before agreeing to anything.
The BBB also urges people to protect their government-issued numbers, such as their Medicare ID, Social Security number and banking information.
Christopher Miller, a Milwaukee-based representative for the Internal Revenue Service, said the agency has also heard about pandemic-related scams.
These include fake donation requests, bogus investment opportunities for companies developing COVID-19 vaccines and unofficial vendors trying to sell medical supplies.
These scams should be reported to the  National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or the center’s complaint form.
To learn more about protecting yourself from stimulus check scams, check out our reporting here.
Check out our Instagram primer
8 things you should know
How residents 65 and older can register for a coronavirus vaccine
Read our story here.
Read our story here
To obtain a free mask, residents can visit these sites:
NNS reporters also gathered a list of where to buy locally made masks if you’re looking to show some local business love when masking up.
Check the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s website for the most updated facts and answers to questions about the mask ordinance.
Look here for up-to-date statistics on COVID-19 in the county. More precautions on how to stay safe and information on COVID-19 can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Contact your health provider, call IMPACT 2-1-1 or take a look at the county’s testing site map to find a testing center near you. The free community testing sites at the Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd., and Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23rd St., are now open and operating. American Family Field (formerly Miller Park), 1 Brewers Way, is also open as an effective testing site.
For more information on testing, including how to identify symptoms and when you should get tested, visit TestUpMKE.com. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Burmese and Arabic.
For more information on vaccine distribution and where to find it, visit HealthyMKE.com. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Burmese and Arabic.
Check out our continuing coronavirus coverage.
Looking for more personalized direction to resources and information during the coronavirus crisis? Get connected with News414, a texting-based news resource from Milwaukee NNS, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. You can text MILWAUKEE to 73224 and begin to receive free, personalized data via text messages.