MTEA Statement on Omicron Covid-19 Surge in City of Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – Yesterday, the City of Milwaukee Health Department announced the Covid-19 disease burden in Milwaukee has surged to new 2021 highs, with a disease burden of 409 cases per 100k residents and a 12.7% positivity rate. The Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association issued the following statement:

“For the last four months, we have urged the former mayor and Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson to issue an indoor mask requirement in the City of Milwaukee. Research has proven, and the Milwaukee Health Department has advertised, that along with vaccination, masking is the best way to prevent community spread of Covid-19.

“While the disease burden remained in “Extreme Transmission” for almost the entirety of the last four months, the Health Commissioner ignored our requests, instead bowing to the pressure of the far-right business lobby who have prioritized profit over the wellbeing of workers and the community since long before the pandemic.

“While she thanked Milwaukee Public Schools for doing the right thing and requiring masking indoors, Commissioner Johnson refused to use her authority to mitigate spread in Milwaukee. As a result of the Health Commissioner’s inaction, rates remained high without reprieve, people have needlessly suffered, and the out-of-control spread that defines Commissioner Johnson’s legacy is reaching levels so absurd that it is has nearly tripled the highest tier on the city’s color-coded measurement system.

“Without any action from the city government, Milwaukee Public Schools students and staff begin a winter break uncertain of how their schools will look when classes resume in January. After another semester of doing their part to prevent spread and keep their classmates, educators and community safe, MPS students would be right to wonder why their city leaders haven’t done theirs.

“Today, a new mayor is sworn in as this uncontrolled spread reaches new heights. While the interim mayor faces a crisis that is not of his making, we hope that this transition is an opportunity for city government to step up and do their part to keep our community healthy and safe and finally bring responsible public health policy back to Milwaukee.”

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.