Governor Evers Public Health Emergency’s Next Step is Closing Schools

West Bend, WI – Governor Tony Evers has issued another public health emergency related to COVID-19. County Executive Josh Schoemann released the following statement:

Today’s new public health emergency puts Wisconsin on a dangerous road. Make no mistake, this order is way broader than a mandatory mask policy.

The media is already ensuring today’s mask mandate is a Trojan horse. Evers grabbed the broad powers of another public health emergency then issued a mask mandate.

With many businesses and organizations across Washington County already requiring masks, this unnecessary power grab adds to the fear which is plaguing our county, state and nation.  Another public health emergency gives the governor all the tools he needs to close schools, mandate virtual learning, issue another safer-at-home order or worse. 

Governor Evers says in his public health emergency that high risk levels of COVID-19 outbreaks will prevent the full reopening of school. Either the governor needs to commit to ensuring schools have the resources to fully reopen in September or the legislature needs to immediately act.

As a former school board president, I know firsthand there are too many negative lifelong impacts for our children if we have a closure or even virtual operation of schools. As an executive for a county, I want my citizens to be safe. Opening the door to more closures and economic ruin will do irreparable harm, especially to our most vulnerable citizens.

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.