Proving, once again, that Wisconsinites will do anything for a free food item that would normally cost them $4, Gov. Tony Evers announced on Monday that 608 people received a COVID-19 vaccine at this year’s Wisconsin State Fair. Also included in that sweet State Fair deal: ONE (1) FREE CREAM PUFF.
“This is great news for our state as we work to get shots in arms and ensure our economy can recover from this pandemic,” Evers said in a press release. “As the Delta variant spreads throughout our state, getting shots in arms is the best way to keep our each other and our communities safe. I encourage all Wisconsinites to get the vaccine as soon as possible by finding a provider near them.”
The vaccination status of the winged demon who was hanging around after the Skillet show remains unknown.
As we mentioned before, the “get vaccinated, get a free cream puff” deal was a hit from the start. At least 50 people took advantage of the deal during the first two days of the 11-day Fair. For comparison, a total of 19 people took the city up on an offer to get vaccinated for a chance to win tickets to Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Similar offers during the Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff run drew “between 17 and 35 people.”
In other “Wisconsin gets really excited for free, cheap food” news, Downtown Employee Appreciation Week begins August 30. As reader Zack reminds us, the line for a free Cousins box lunch is likely already around the block.
Employee Appreciation Week or whatever it’s called downtown is a week full of people spending their whole lunch hour in line for a Cousins mini sub boxed lunch.
— Zack Holder (@Milwaukeezack) August 16, 2021
Here’s today’s full press release:
Gov. Evers, DHS Announce 608 COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered at Wisconsin State Fair
On-site vaccination clinic brings COVID-19 vaccines and free cream puffs to many during Wisconsin State Fair
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced that during the 11 days of the Wisconsin State Fair, the on-site COVID-19 vaccine clinic administered 608 vaccine doses. All those vaccinated at the on-site clinic received a voucher for a free cream puff.
“This is great news for our state as we work to get shots in arms and ensure our economy can recover from this pandemic,” said Gov. Evers. “As the Delta variant spreads throughout our state, getting shots in arms is the best way to keep our each other and our communities safe. I encourage all Wisconsinites to get the vaccine as soon as possible by finding a provider near them.”
The COVID-19 vaccine clinic was operated by AMI Expeditionary Healthcare and located at the State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin. AMI has partnered with DHS to run and operate the six DHS community-based vaccination clinics since March 2021. The clinic offered Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. For more information on other vaccination options, visit the “Where can I get vaccinated?” webpage.
“The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are providing protection against this virus, including the Delta variant,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “As Wisconsinites, we’re all in this together. We still have time to take action so we can protect ourselves, our kids, our loved ones, and our community. It is urgent for all those who are eligible but not yet vaccinated to get protected against the Delta variant.”
Wisconsin continues to experience an increase of COVID-19 cases, as indicated by a rising seven-day average. As of August 1, Wisconsin was reporting a 7-day average of 780 new confirmed cases. That average has climbed to 1,201 as of today, August 16, which marks the first time Wisconsin’s 7-day average of new confirmed cases has topped 1,200 since early February. This increase is driven by the highly infectious Delta variant, which is now widespread in all parts of Wisconsin, as it is across the country. The Delta variant is much more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19. With the original strain of COVID-19, an infected person was likely to infect two other people who are likely to infect two additional people for a total of 6 cases from one infection. With the Delta variant, an infected person is likely to infect five people who are likely to infect 25 people for a total of 30 cases from one infection.
As the spread increases, so does the risk that new, potentially more dangerous variants will develop. That is why state health officials are urging all eligible Wisconsinites to get the COVID-19 vaccine and to follow current best health practices such as wearing a mask in public indoor spaces and staying home when sick. These measures will help stop the surge of the Delta variant across the state.
If you already had COVID-19, you should still get vaccinated. You can find COVID-19 vaccinations at vaccines.gov or call 211 or 877-947-2211. To stay up-to-date on COVID-19 and to learn more about how to stay protected, subscribe to the DHS COVID-19 Weekly Newsletter. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook, Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information on COVID-19.
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