MADISON – Today, Governor Evers announced a statewide mask order aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 following a recent rise in cases and hospitalizations statewide. Representative Emerson (D-Eau Claire) released the following statement:
“Thanks to Governor Evers’ leadership, our current patchwork of various local policies will be replaced by a uniform statewide standard based on the best available science. The science is increasingly clear that wearing masks significantly reduces the risk of spreading the virus from one person to another. Wearing a mask has been a hot button issue in communities across the country, but it’s important to remember we need to fight the virus, not each other. Every corner of Wisconsin is impacted by COVID-19, and we all have a role to play in keeping each other healthy and safe. In order to get the economy moving again and re-open our schools and businesses, we must beat this virus. A statewide mask order is what we need now to reverse the alarming recent trends in cases and deaths.”
Wisconsin joins 31 other states and the District of Columbia in implementing a mask order. According to a recent analysis, if 95% of people wear cloth masks when they’re interacting with other people, it reduces transmission by at least 30%.
