SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – Sheboygan County leaders expressed concern for the impacts that could result from revocation of Governor Evers’ emergency order extending a statewide mask mandate. Currently, the directive – in the simplest terms – requires all state residents to wear a mask in public when social distancing is not possible. The Wisconsin State Senate has voted to revoke that mandate, and the State Assembly may take up the legislation later this week.
Masking is not in itself an issue in the debate in Madison; rather, it centers around whether or not Governor Evers acted within the law by repeated extensions of the original mandate without the participation of the legislature.
In a letter signed by County Board Chairman Vern Koch, Health Officer Starrlene Grossman, County Administrator Adam Payne, and Health and Human Services Director Matthew Strittmater, the leaders stated that revoking the masking requirement by the Governor would cause statewide inconsistency in messaging and approach to bringing the pandemic under control. The letter expressed that even with vaccines on the way, “we aren’t out of the woods yet and we need to continue to implement best practices, which includes continuing to wear a face mask in public.”
While the county leaders said that it is unlikely that Sheboygan County would pursue a local ordinance or public health order if the Governor’s mandate is repealed, they indicated that they would instead continue to lead by example, and emphasize the importance of everyone wearing a mask in public places when they can’t social distance.
You can read the letter here.
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