Fearing more deaths across the country, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued a mask mandate Thursday and rose up against a Republican lawmaker who revoked his previous mask order earlier in the day.
“We know that wearing face masks can save lives and prevent death. We know that it is supported by science,” Evers, a Democrat, said in a two-minute video.
He said lifting his previous mandate to wear face masks in public places endangers about $ 50 million a month in federal funds to help hundreds of thousands of vulnerable residents.
“Our fight against this virus is not over – it is not going to go away, especially not after we see mutations of this virus in our condition,” Evers said. “Wearing a mask is the most basic thing we can do to keep each other safe.”
Earlier in the day, the Republican-led assembly voted to repeal the previous order, which was extended last month. A Republican challenge to the mandate is being heard in the state Supreme Court.
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Calls to several Republicans, including Speaker Robin Vos, were not returned late Thursday.
Vos writes in a joint statement with Devin LeMahieu, leader of the Senate majority: ‘Governor Evers has abused his limited authority for too long by repeatedly issuing illegal orders outside his 60-day emergency powers. our voters’ voice in the legislative process. ‘
Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, a Republican, also disagrees with the new order.
“Once again, Governor Evers is pushing away an olive branch to achieve common goals, but rather opt for continued authoritarian rule,” Steineke said in a statement. “I am disappointed that the governor would rather continue to issue orders that he knows are illegal as opposed to the legislature to keep the Wisconsinites safe.”
Evers said he has promised Wisconsinites three things since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic: never playing health politics, trusting science and health experts to lead decision-making, and fighting to keep residents safe .
“Well, every step of the way is our direct strategies to contain this virus and prevent its spread, with lawsuits, political rhetoric and obstruction,” he said.
The staff of Evers has long accused Republicans of using their uncompromising power to work against his efforts to protect residents.
The state Senate consists of 20 Republicans and 12 Democrats, with one vacancy. The Assembly is made up of 60 Republicans and 38 Democrats, with one vacancy.
Following a Republican rally, the Supreme Court overturned Evers’ home order in a 4-3 ruling in May, arguing that he had violated his authority.
Evers has declared at least three other public health emergencies and issued other coronavirus-related orders, all of which offer resistance to Republicans.
In a Marquette Law School Poll released in May, nearly 70 percent of Wisconsinites favored closing schools and businesses and restricting public gatherings to curb the spread of the virus.
In addition, 53 percent of Evers residents trusted more than the legislature to decide on reopening and easing the Covid-19 restrictions, the poll found.