Wisconsinites can now order 5 free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests through a new website

By Corrinne Hess - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin launched an online program Friday to get free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests as the federal government winds down its free testing program. 

Wisconsin residents can go to the Say Yes! COVID Test website (sayyescovidhometest.org) and place an order for a package of five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests at no cost. Supplies should arrive in one to two weeks. 

The state's new testing program comes as students across Wisconsin returned to school this week. 

“It is critical for Wisconsinites to have access to a COVID-19 test when they need one, and this program delivers tests right to their door,” Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake said in a statement. “We encourage all Wisconsin households to have COVID-19 self-tests on hand to protect themselves and those around them.”

Taking a COVID-19 self-test provides results within minutes.

While Silicon Valley is among the world’s most affluent locales, hunger and income disparities strain food distribution programs in the area. For the past two years, the Rotary Club of Saratoga, California, has been a continuing presence at Martha’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen in San Jose, where members prepare food once a month.

The club coordinated the $95,000 purchase of a refrigerated box truck so the facility could collect perishables and goods donated by organizations such as the Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, a food bank that covered half the truck’s cost. “The soup kitchen itself does not have extensive storage facilities. The truck helps so food doesn’t spoil,” says Sangita Seshadri, immediate past president of the club.

With $3,000 contributed by the Rotary Club of Bangalore West, India, the project shows the power of international friendships. “Typically, people look at the developed countries giving to the developing countries,” Seshadri says. “There is need all over, and when we talk about partnerships, it is both ways.”

By Phil and Joyce Ogden, Rotary Club of South Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

My wife Joyce and I enjoy tandem cycling. Two years ago, when I met somebody who had cycled the Nullarbor Plain in Australia, a seed was planted in the back of my mind that maybe this was a challenge for us to do in the future.

We are closer than ever to ending polio. We have reduced cases by 99.9% since 1988. With our partners, Rotary has immunized more than 2.5 billion children worldwide to end polio for good. But we’re not there yet and we can’t afford to be complacent.

As a doctor, I am aware that polio is a disease which has the potential to be totally eradicated. But with a lot of distractions lately, floods, fires and droughts in Australia, war in Europe and the COVID-19 pandemic a threat in all countries, we were concerned that if Rotary took its eye off the ball, polio cases could flare up again.