UW System President Thompson, Wisconsin comedian Berens urge continued use of free testing sites
MADISON, Wis.—University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson and Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens of The Manitowoc Minute are urging state residents to obtain a free COVID-19 test at one of the state’s rapid-results “surge testing” sites.
Thompson challenged Berens to a smash-off in his latest “Smash COVID” video aimed at reminding UW System students and others to get tested and to continue behaviors that prevent the spread of the disease, including wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing hands.
“We all want to smash COVID, and I’m happy to join President Thompson in bringing attention to these free tests,” Berens said. “Keep ‘er Movin’ Wisconsin – through the COVID testing line.”
Since surge testing began in early November, more than 170,000 free tests using the Abbot BinaxNOW rapid-results antigen test have been administered at Wisconsin’s 22 surge testing sites on or near UW System campuses, identifying nearly 14,000 potential positive carriers of the virus who have been advised to isolate. The testing sites will be operable for several weeks, likely through Jan. 23, with UW-Madison closing its sites on Jan. 7.
Thompson said Wisconsin residents should consider getting tested at a surge testing site now that the holidays are over – especially if they spent more time than usual outside of their home or socializing with people who are not in their household.
Thompson and Berens filmed the latest “Smash COVID” video in downtown Waukesha and on the campus of UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha. Thompson has also served as a spokesman for the “Stop the COVID Spread! Coalition.” Berens is the founder of The Manitowoc Minute, the popular weekly video featuring a uniquely Wisconsin perspective.
View the video here:https://youtu.be/DvamjfLfGc4
View President Thompson’s other “Smash COVID” videos here:https://www.facebook.com/watch/uwsystem/2093215074148544/
Engage on Twitter @UWSystem.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- MHD Release: Milwaukee Health Department Launches COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Dashboard - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Jan 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee County Announces New Policies Related to COVID-19 Pandemic - County Executive David Crowley - May 9th, 2023
- DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 26th, 2023
- Milwaukee Health Department Announces Upcoming Changes to COVID-19 Services - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Mar 17th, 2023
- Fitzgerald Applauds Passage of COVID-19 Origin Act - U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald - Mar 10th, 2023
- DHS Expands Free COVID-19 Testing Program - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Feb 10th, 2023
- MKE County: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising - Graham Kilmer - Jan 16th, 2023
- Not Enough Getting Bivalent Booster Shots, State Health Officials Warn - Gaby Vinick - Dec 26th, 2022
- Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Dec 15th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Bi-Weekly COVID-19 Update - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Dec 9th, 2022
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here