Wisconsinites have made significant sacrifices in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We have all worked together to help flatten the curve and give brave doctors, nurses, and hospital personnel a chance to help those who are sick. We must continue taking this virus seriously and continue efforts to combat the spread, but we must also figure out ways to get society moving safely again.
The costs of continued shutdown are serious and will have a lasting negative impact on the people of our state. Hundreds of thousands have already lost their jobs, small businesses are closing, families are losing their livelihoods, and patients are still waiting for important health treatment. Additionally, many children have been denied education, elderly loved ones are struggling with the loss of companionship, and religious worship has been severely restricted.
These are things that must be taken into consideration as decisions are made for the state. Reasonable and safe measures can be implemented while opening up the economy, by region, and while businesses abide by CDC social distancing guidelines. We need a path forward.
Legislators and the constituents we represent have respected the Governor’s expanded powers in this time of crisis. There are certainly no easy decisions during this unprecedented time, but we cannot simply wait around for another month. Governor Evers needs to layout his detailed plan and the metrics needed to get us moving again. If he is unwilling or incapable of doing that, Republican and Democrat (hopefully) legislators must work to move forward with every available measure to steer us safely toward normalcy in the coming weeks.
