Senate Republicans set to pass resolution making Wisconsinites less safe, less secure, and less prosperous

MADISON- Today, Senate Republicans intend to overturn the mask mandate put in place by Governor Tony Evers. Republicans put forward SJR 3 despite overwhelming public support for the governor’s public health emergency which mandates mask wearing in public spaces. Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released this statement:

“This resolution does nothing to keep Wisconsinites safe and puts our most vulnerable friends and neighbors at higher risk. Time and time again, Republicans have fought even the most basic public health measures through lawsuits and refusing to come to the table to discuss COVID-19 relief for months.

“We are nearing 6,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the state of Wisconsin. These are our neighbors, our friends, our loved ones. It is frustrating that Republicans’ response to this pandemic is not to help people who are suffering, but to repeal our mask mandate – one of our most effective tools to stopping community spread and keeping all of us safe and healthy.

“While I am very grateful my community will still fall under the Dane County mask mandate, this virus does not stop at county borders. County lines and differing public health orders are irrelevant to this virus. Wisconsinites travel for work, they travel for necessities, they travel to go spend time outdoors. This is why the statewide mask mandate is so crucial; it creates a unified response.

“Regardless of this resolution, everyone in Wisconsin needs to continue wearing their mask, social distancing, staying home as much as possible, and washing our hands. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 vaccine, but we must continue to do all that we can to stop the spread and keep one another healthy.

“Leadership matters. Rather than making mask-wearing a political statement, let’s protect our communities and do the right thing.”

Currently 20 groups and organizations are opposed to this resolution (There are no groups registered in support). The groups opposed are:

Wisconsin Assisted Living Association

Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards

Wisconsin Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians

Wisconsin Council of Churches

Wisconsin Health Care Association

Wisconsin Hospital Association

Wisconsin Medical Society

Disability Service Provider Network

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Business Education Fund

Kids Forward

Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative

Leading Age Wisconsin

Medical College of Wisconsin

Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin

SEIU Wisconsin State Council

Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians

Wisconsin Public Health Association

Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association