This week in coronavirus: Protests create concern over possible COVID-19 spike, operations adjust for safety measures

For the first week in many weeks, coronavirus wasn't the biggest story. Our USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin journalists spent hours at Black Lives Matter protests talking to people in our communities asking for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other black Americans killed by police.

But coronavirus hasn't gone away. In fact, this week Wisconsin set an all-time record for the number of test results reported in a single day. Positive case numbers continue rising steadily in most counties, particularly in central Wisconsin. And health officials worry about a possible spike in cases resulting from crowds gathering for protests across the state.

Summerfest leadership called off the state's largest music festival for the first time ever this week due to COVID-19 concerns. It joins many other major events, like Country USA and Rock USA festivals, that were canceled. State health officials still strongly urge people to avoid large gatherings of people, so planning massive, costly events proves challenging when it's unclear how long that recommendation will last.

There still are safe activities to do around Wisconsin this summer, mainly outdoor recreation where social distancing is easier. But adequate space for people can be tricky for some beaches. Lake Michigan reached record-high levels last month, causing flooding around the Door County peninsula.

Beaches thinned as a result, leaving less space for people to spread out. The county health department won't put harsh regulations in place but encourages people to space themselves out, and if a beach seems crowded people should consider other options. 

The state's Department of Natural Resources announced campgrounds plan to reopen next week. Safety measures remain in place: park offices are closed to the public, check-in will be touch-free and signs will urge patrons to recreate safely. Rock Island State Park remains closed to all activity, and group camping, shelters and ampitheaters won't open until June 30.

Pandemic affects operations for the long term

Along with summer events, Wisconsin court systems join the list of operations that look different as a result of COVID-19. Hearings took place remotely around the state since the pandemic reached Wisconsin in March.

Moving forward, courts plan to seat jurors 6 feet apart during criminal and civil trials, witnesses testifying will wear face shields, and lawyers and judges might be required to wear masks. 

Schools also went virtual for most of their second semester due to COVID-19; now, parents and teachers are reflecting on the experience while looking ahead to an uncertain fall. 

LIVE UPDATES:The latest on coronavirus in Wisconsin

Some parents told a USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter their kids weren't challenged enough by the "one size fits all" learning approach, while others likened keeping up with their kids' studies to a second full-time job. It was a difficult, new experience for most. Now, everyone feels more prepared in case distance learning happens again in the fall, an answer many schools cannot provide. 

Nursing homes have been hit hard by the pandemic. One in four Wisconsin nursing homes reported at least one COVID-19 case — that's 359 facilities. Twenty-nine of those reported at least one death; one in Milwaukee reported 57 deaths, according to federal data.

Several protests are scheduled around the state this weekend, and the pandemic continues to raise concern. Our health reporter put together guidelines to stay safe while taking to the streets.

Madeline Heim, Benita Mathew, Andy Thompson, Jake Prinsen, Natalie Brophy, Samantha West and Caitlin Shuda of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin; and Molly Beck, Piet Levy, Daphne Chen, Ignacio Calderon and Dana Brandt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

Contact Sammy Gibbons at (920) 431-8396 or sgibbons@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @sammykgibbons or Facebook at www.facebook.com/ReporterSammyGibbons/.