ThedaCare, Appleton, 2020 Community Benefit

Working with Area Organizations, Offering Support During Pandemic

Since March 2020, ThedaCare has been on a thoughtful, focused path to prepare for the impact of COVID-19 and provide our patients with safe, coordinated care. Throughout the pandemic, it has become clear that at times, the care our communities need extends beyond our hospital walls. Leaders, team members and volunteers from ThedaCare have partnered with organizations in our community to support those living in Northeast and Central Wisconsin with resources to help respond to COVID-19. 
In April, local health organizations, officials and community leaders called on residents to maintain their active role in slowing the spread. ThedaCare and Ascension Wisconsin, in conjunction with public health officials and community leaders, launched Be Safe Wisconsin to encourage community members’ ongoing commitment to flattening the curve.
Be Safe Wisconsin asked residents to practice safe behaviors including: 
Wearing a facemask when in public. 
Practicing good hygiene, including hand washing and sanitizing. 
Avoiding touching their face.
Disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces, including mobile devices.
Remaining at least 6 feet apart from others.
The effort has a dedicated website – BeSafeWisconsin.org – where residents can take the pledge, sign up for updates, download social media graphics for sharing and access local resources from Be Safe partners such as online symptom checkers, community hotlines, articles and more. 
Since April, Be Safe Wisconsin has led community conversations, updating the public about the situation of the virus in Wisconsin, and offering suggestions and partnerships that help our local response. 
Be Safe Wisconsin has grown from a dozen original partners to more than ****. Some partners include: Ascension Wisconsin, Bergstrom Automotive, Calumet County Public Health, City of Oshkosh, City of Neenah, Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Outagamie County, ThedaCare, United Way Fox Cities and Winnebago County.
Be Safe Wisconsin serves as a unified resource to area residents to stay updated on the latest precautions to take to be safe and reduce the spread of infections. To learn more, visit BeSafeWisconsin.org.