Stay the course. That's the message from Wisconsin Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes.
Barnes says they're waiting the state Supreme Court decision on the state emergency order known as Safer At Home. He says Gov. Evers' Badger Bounce Back Plan is on course..
"There are six different criteria to be met for us to begin that process, and at this point we've reached two of those, so we are a third of the way there and it is laid out in an easy to read red light-green light format..."
That plan is on the state Department of Health Services website. He says they've seen the downward trajectory of flu-like cases and illnesses reported by healthcare workers,but four other points remain open. He says the state has bested the model projections in cases and deaths but says we should stay the course.
Barnes says he doesn't favor a regional approach to reopening the state even though rural areas have seen less COVID-19....
"I think for far too long we've gotten into these regional battles where we want to treat one part of the state differently than the other. it's not fair. It creates confusion, it creates frustration, and it creates unnecessary competition. We're all one state..."
Barnes says even in the rural areas, COVID has been spread by people who don't show symptoms. He says he knows the pain is very real, but he fears rural Wisconsin could become the next COVID hotbed if it is opened up too soon. Barnes says more COVID testing is available....
"Testing is becoming more available and we are implementing a number of drive-in testing sites across the state. Where you can find community testing near you..."
Barnes says those test site locations are on the Department of Health Services website.
Wisconsin has lost nearly $900 million in tax revenue since the start of the pandemic. He says the federal government gave money to big corporations but didn't help the states.....
"That's an area where the federal government had a chance to step in. But as you saw, (U.S.) Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell suggested that states just go bankrupt. That's very irresponsible..."
As of Thursday morning, the state is awaiting the State Supreme Court decision on the legality of Evers emergency order.
