Axios
Wisconsin Governor issues mask mandate after state GOP nullifies previous order
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) issued a new statewide mask mandate on Thursday almost immediately after the state legislature voted to revoke his previous order. Why It’s Important: Evers’ attempts to combat COVID-19 have been around since the start of the pandemic. Even with a new order, the legislature could vote again to repeal the mask requirement. Be smart: sign up for FREE to the most influential newsletter in America. What He Says: “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have promised I would: never play politics with your health, trust and follow science and public health experts, and never stop doing all I can to get you healthy and safe. I have not broken those promises and I am not going to start today, “said Evers in a video released Thursday afternoon. * He added that his efforts to protect Wisconsin residents have been met with “lawsuits, political rhetoric and obstruction,” citing Thursday’s vote of the legislature. * “We know that as we work to get weapons as soon as possible when vaccines are available, no amount of vaccine in the world can bring back the lives we have to lose if we don’t have a statewide strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin. * “Wearing a mask is the most basic thing we can do to protect each other. Wearing a mask saves lives. Context: So far, 5,992 people have died in Wisconsin from the virus, according to state data. Now coronavirus variants pose new risks. The previous mandate has remained in effect since August. * Republicans, controlling both the state. Assembly and Senate , argue that Evers has overstepped his authority by extending the mask mandate without legal approval. * The governor says the unusual circumstances of the pandemic empower him to issue such orders. The big picture: health experts have urged states to adopt mask mandates. as the US has 26.6 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. * “Adopting universal masking policies can help prevent future lockdowns, especially when combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distance, hand hygiene and adequate ventilation,” per CDC. * Nearly 60 organizations, including Native American groups Ammen, hospitals, schools and businesses have opposed the withdrawal. * This isn’t the first time Republican lawmakers have challenged Evers’ efforts to contain the pandemic. Last year, Republican lawmakers persuaded the state Supreme Court to overrule his house arrest. Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with Governor Evers’s new mandate. Support safe, smart and healthy journalism. Sign up for Axios newsletters here.