Sen. Larson statement on Sen. Jacque positive COVID-19 test

Milwaukee, WI – Today, it was announced that Senator Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) has received hospital care after testing positive for COVID-19. Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) issued the following statement:

“I hope Sen. Jacque and his family have a full recovery. I also hope others are spared from his irresponsible, selfish behavior and that any people he exposed to COVID or directly infected are taking precautions to stop the spread of this virus.

“On Wednesday, there was a Joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee meeting held to pursue an imaginary threat. At the same time, Republicans exposed themselves and the public to the very real and deadly threat they continue to ignore, downplay, and let run rampant. Sen. Andre Jacque presented his bill. He did not wear a mask while speaking or while waiting to speak.

“Some have been privy to the knowledge of a positive test result since Friday. I, like many others, didn’t get definitive information until a Journal Sentinel article was posted this morning, a full 6 days after the committee. Committee Chairs Sen. Darling and Rep. Thiesfeldt should not sit on this information any longer. They owe it to our neighbors, the staff, and Capitol police who were in the room over those 7 hours to immediately contact every person who was in the committee room on Wednesday so they can schedule a COVID test and follow necessary precautions. Unfortunately, masks were not required or enforced and so the unmasked people packed into the room are at much higher risk.

“I again ask my Wisconsin neighbors to please get vaccinated and wear a mask when indoors. This is not political – it is science and it is common sense. Individual rights don’t mean you can purposefully hurt others or put others at risk. The 8,324 lives this unforgiving virus has taken from our state deserve better than their neighbors refusing to wear a mask or get vaccinated simply for partisan political points.

“Our state leaders should be committed to spreading the truth, not the virus.”

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.