Asks Republican legislators to withdraw support of lawsuits, instead support mask wearing

By Eileen Persike
Editor

Governor Tony Evers said Wednesday he will declare a new state of emergency and extend the public health emergency until January 2021, and also reissue Emergency Order number 1 which requires face coverings in public places.

“Current public health emergency expires Saturday, Nov. 21, but it’s clear based on where we’re headed we cannot afford to stop or have a gap in some of the only mitigation efforts we still have in place,” Evers said during a press conference aired on YouTube.

Since the current health advisory was issued two months ago Evers said the 7-day average of new positive cases per day has more than tripled, the number of cases has tripled and the number of deaths has more than doubled.

Evers noted that public health emergency and face coverings order are being challenged in the Wisconsin Supreme Court; a challenge that is supported by Republicans in the legislature.

“I am once again calling on Republicans to withdraw their support for this lawsuit and to publicly support our new public health emergency and face coverings order,” Evers said. “It’s time, folks. We do not get any do-overs here. Enough games. We need you to join the cause, and we need you to start today.”

He also called on Congress to pass “meaningful comprehensive support,” and asked that Wisconsinites  call their federal representatives to make a similar request.

“We need robust federal support to get us through, not only to aid our state’s response to the virus but to help families put food on the table, help workers make rent and help employers keep their doors open and lights on,” Evers said.

More than $2 billion of federal CARES funding has been allocated in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm said the strain on hospitals is growing which puts everyone at risk, whether they have COVID-19 or not.

“We must recommit to doing all that we can to prevent transmission and save lives,” Palm said. “As scary as this picture is, it is going to keep getting worse before it gets better. It is only going to get better if we take action to make it better. Please stay home, do not gather for holiday celebrations – it is not worth the risk.”

On Wednesday, another 7,989 new cases were reported, and 52 people died as a result of COVID-19.