Enough is enough: The time has come for all-virtual schooling

Milwaukee, WI – “In the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic that has spiraled out of control since early September, and after yet another record-breaking day for new cases, the time has come to temporarily close Wisconsin’s schools and transition to 100% virtual instruction until conditions drastically improve.

“While legislative Republicans have done less than nothing – spending at least $400,000 in taxpayer money fighting Governor Evers’ pandemic response in court – our neighbors are demanding action. Wisconsin’s right-wing activist Supreme Court has made it nearly impossible for the Governor to do his job. As a legislature, it’s time we did ours.

“In the meantime, we have to do everything we can to protect our students, educators, their families, and our communities by moving immediately to all-virtual instruction. CDC director Robert Redfield recently warned that small gatherings may be driving our ever-increasing rate of infection. What is a school but a series of multiple small and medium-sized gatherings?

“This is not a decision to be made lightly, but on behalf of the more than 33,000 Wisconsin neighbors with active cases, the 1,000-plus who are hospitalized, and the 1,553 who have already lost their lives, it’s a decision that needs to be made. Our economy cannot get back to normal until case levels fall dramatically. We cannot allow our schools and families to be the canary in the coal mine while Republicans continue to do less than nothing to help.

“I stand ready to provide Governor Evers whatever support he needs to fight the pandemic, and in the coming days I will be introducing legislation to reinforce his powers as Governor to address this public health emergency. Until the federal government comes through with a stimulus package and a plan which meets the scope of the problem, it’s going to be all hands on deck here in Wisconsin to get this virus under control.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.