The state Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution to end Governor Tony Evers’ statewide mask mandate.

It was authored by state Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater). “We citizens are capable determining what steps are appropriate to take in our daily lives to guard against COVID, without the heavy hand of government coming down on us,” Nass said.

Republicans maintain Evers has illegally issued multiple emergency orders and mask requirements. “Governor Evers is not above the law, even when he may feel that must act unilaterally to achieve his goals relating to COVID-19,” Nass said.

Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) (statement) said Evers has been forced to reissue emergency health orders amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “When something comes up, when there is a spike in this state, the governor doesn’t have the time to go to the Republican leadership on bended knee and say ‘oh please, oh please oh please,'” Erpenbach said.

“I’m sorry, emergencies don’t give a darn about your feelings. Emergencies end when they’re done,” said Senator Chris Larson, (D-Milwaukee) (statement).

Senator Van Wangaard (R-Racine) (statement) said Evers must get legislative permission to issue new orders. “This is about a continuation of the same emergency order time and time again like Groundhog Day, where you can just keep doing over and over again. And that is not what’s allowed.”

The resolution passed 18-13, with Republicans Rob Cowles of Green Bay (statement) and Dale Kooyenga of Brookfield voting with minority Democrats. It will be taken up in the Assembly Thursday. If passed there, the joint resolution will go into effect immediately, although local health declarations and mask orders won’t be affected.

Milwaukee kids IMAGE: MaskUpMKE.org

Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature want to cancel the governor’s mask order. The state Medical Society wants it continued.

Dr. Bud Chumbley is CEO of the Wisconsin Medical Society. “The science is definitive that they reduce the spread of COVID-19, and thus by reducing the spread, reduces the morbidity and mortality.”

The state Senate will consider a Republican authored joint resolution today. If passed there and in the Assembly, it would make one of the few public health tools available to slow the pandemic, less effective.

“It’s obvious that we would oppose it,” Chumbley said. Other organizations that have registered against the resolution include Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards,  Wisconsin Public Health Association, and the Wisconsin Council of Churches. None have registered in support.

Six orgs registered against the res and none in favor: Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Association of Local Health Depts and Boards, Wisconsin Medical Society, Wisconsin Public Health Association, and the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

— Molly Beck (@MollyBeck) January 25, 2021

Republicans contend Democratic Governor Tony Evers exceeded his authority in declaring multiple public health emergencies and mask orders. The resolution, if passed, would not require Evers’ signature.

“You know, regardless of your political leanings, the best way to control spread is with a mask, until we can get enough people vaccinated that we can control the pandemic,” Chumbley said.

Governor Tony Evers on Thursday defended Wisconsin’s widely criticized coronavirus vaccination effort.

“Could things have gone better? I suppose by a day or two, had everything gone perfectly. But at the end of the day we’re driven by how many shots we have to put into peoples’ arms,” Evers said during a media conference call.

Republicans who control the Wisconsin legislature have taken the lead on the criticism, and have proposed legislation to address it.

Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Diijk said Thursday the state is receiving about 70,000 doses of the vaccine a week and will continue to receive it at that level for the next 3-4 weeks — not enough to meet the need.

“I know people are real interested on when exactly . . they can get this vaccine, and unfortunately we can’t guarantee it,” Evers said.

Wisconsin residents over the age of 65 will be able to receive the vaccination beginning Monday – but Evers and Willems Van Diijk called for patience.

“I know people are real interested on when exactly . . they can get this vaccine, and unfortunately we can’t guarantee it,” Evers said, adding that he intends to get the vaccine when contacted by his physician.

DHS is reviewing a recommendation, from the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee, that teachers, grocery store and food industry workers, transit drivers and others be added to the vaccination priority list.

Milwaukee kids IMAGE: MaskUpMKE.org

Governor Tony Evers on Tuesday issued a new statewide public health emergency and face mask requirement.

The order continues through March 20 and, with some exceptions, requires everyone age 5 and older to wear a mask indoors when they’re around people who they don’t live with.

The order comes amid heightened concerns over a new, more easily transmissible strain of COVID-19.

There were some indications Tuesday that the state is turning the corner on the pandemic. The Department of Health Services reported the 7-day average of new, confirmed cases is below 2,000.

DHS did report 42 more deaths related to the virus, bringing the total to 5,512.

Prevea Health and UW-Green Bay are teaming up to provide a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Kress Events Center.

As the clinic opens, law enforcement and fire personnel are becoming eligible for their shots. Governor Tony Evers says groups in Phase 1B and beyond just have to be patient.

“You will get vaccinated, as sure as I’m standing here, but we have to make sure that people are patient. We cannot do 90,000 [vaccinations of] 65 and older people in one day. It takes time.”

Prevea CEO Dr. Ashok Rai says while the goal is to provide over 10,000 doses each week – they have to start off slow for the first few weeks.

“Our goal is always to aim small, miss small. So today we’re doing 100 inoculations. And we’re allowed to do law enforcement and fire, so we’ll start with them today and will continue to expand every day to get to that 50 percent to 60 percent capacity, and then get our [second shots] going.”

Rai says while the clinic took just five days to set up, everything is aimed to maintain quality, safety, and HIPAA protections.

WTAQ

President elect Joe Biden has named Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to his administration.

Governor Tony Evers’ office confirmed Monday that Palm will be nominated to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, rejoining the federal agency in which she served during the Obama administration.

“Andrea Palm is a public servant through and through—she’s been a critical part of our administration and a consummate professional who has done an extraordinary job helping lead our state during an unprecedented public health crisis. I know she will continue to serve our country just as she has our state—with empathy, kindness, and tenacity. I wish her our very best as she leaves us to take this new opportunity.”

Palm’s last day will be Inauguration Day, Wednesday.

Evers nominated Palm to lead DHS in January 2019, but her conformation was blocked by then Senate Majority Leader, Scott Fitzgerald. Republicans who opposed her job cited her decision to name a former Planned Parenthood lobbyist as deputy secretary.

They’ve also been highly critical of Palm’s leading role in the response to the coronavirus pandemic, and have called for her to be fired.

Evers also announced that Karen Timberlake, DHS secretary under former Governor Jim Doyle during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus response, will serve as DHS interim secretary, beginning January 25.

Rep. Jim Steineke

Republicans who control the Wisconsin Assembly will be amending a COVID-19 relief bill passed by the state Senate, and which Governor Tony Evers has said he’d sign.

Majority Leader Jim Steineke said Assembly Republicans were cut out of what began as three way negotiations with the Senate and Evers.

“After the New Year the senate went directly to the governor to negotiate their package with the governor. Which they have the right to do, but we also have the right to try to work on our own ideas.”

On WKOW‘s Capitol City Sunday, Steineke said his caucus wants a final bill to include provisions like preventing employers from requiring workers to get vaccinated, and restricting local health departments’ ability to close or limit business capacities.

“One of the things that we wanted to ensure is that nobody in the state was required by their employer to take the vaccine. That’s not a partisan issue. There’s Democrats and Republicans that agree with that. That’s not a partisan issue and I don’t think that’s one that would cause the governor to veto the bill.”

Steineke said the Assembly would bring the bill back to the floor on January 26 for amendments.