Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address on Continued Support for Students, Families, and Schools as Omicron Spreads

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address on the Evers Administration’s continued support for Wisconsin’s schools, educators, and students as the omicron variant spreads. Earlier this week, the governor joined the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) in a letter to all public, private, and independent charter schools detailing resources available by DHS and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to help in this effort.

Hello, Governor Tony Evers here.

We all want our kids to be safe and in the classroom. So, just as we have from the beginning of the pandemic, we’re continuing to work to provide the necessary support and resources our kids, educators, and districts need to be healthy and safe.

We’ve been working with schools on a school-based testing program. This program received federal funding and provides free, safe, and flexible testing for teachers, staff, students, and their families.

Testing remains a critical component of slowing the spread of COVID-19. Regular testing can help support schools in making important decisions to protect the health and safety of those in their buildings, so we’re encouraging schools to sign up to participate in the program.

We also know the best protection from getting seriously sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19 continues to be the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines.

That’s why we’re also encouraging schools to host school-based vaccination and booster clinics with the help of DHS during drop-off and pick-up times.

All kids ages five and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and the CDC recommends all kids ages 12 and older receive a booster five months after they receive their first vaccine series.

While kids generally experience less serious symptoms from COVID-19, hospitalizations among people under 18 are rising quickly and nearly all youth COVID-19 hospitalizations in Wisconsin and across the country are occurring among the unvaccinated.

Schools are uniquely positioned to help educate families about the benefits of the vaccine, as well as meet kids and parents where they are and in their own neighborhoods.

For the last two years, parents and educators have gone above and beyond to do everything they can to make sure our kids are caught up and in the classroom, and we will continue to support them in their efforts in any way we can—just as we have since day one.

Let’s keep working together to make sure our kids, our educators, and our communities stay healthy and safe.

Thank you.

 

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.