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Throughout the time of the coronavirus pandemic in Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers’ actions and pleas to the public have all involved caution in action in order to contain the virus and save lives.
Now, one week after the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ruling negating his administration’s Safer-at-Home orders, Evers is not only asking people to continue to exercise extreme caution. He’s doing it himself.
When asked during the WTMJ Town Hall Tuesday about whether he would be comfortable eating in at restaurants, Evers cited his own personal doubts.
“Not yet. Not that I don’t trust restaurant owners, but it takes a while to get things going,” Evers told WTMJ’s John Mercure.
“It takes so much time to get it ready. Many are opening at 25 percent capacity. To go to something much larger than that with no thinking of how it’s going to work, I think it’s going to be a problem.”
Evers explained that so much of his concern comes from the fact that the Supreme Court’s decision, combined with Wisconsin GOP leaders’ unwillingness to put any statewide orders in place, creates what he has called “chaos” in how municipalities are keeping people safe through various guidelines.
“I tried to work with Republicans on this issue,” Evers claimed. He even withdrew his plan for new scopes on rules for coronavirus-related actions by the state, saying Republicans would not allow them to come to fruition..
“They made it clear they want no restrictions and no statewide efforts. It is what it is.”
This means that many more businesses have the leeway to decide coronavirus-related safety policies. Some have embraced them. Some have not – which tempers Evers.
“Overall, I always have faith in the people of Wisconsin that they’re going to do the right thing,” said Evers.
“The pictures I saw online after the Supreme Court (decision), bar patrons having a good time but doing nothing to help us keep the virus contained was disappointing.”
He also says that his administration would attempt to re-establish restrictions if a surge comes again due to the re-opening of Wisconsin businesses, but he’s not sure how that legally would happen.
“We can’t pretend there isn’t going to be restrictions if there is a surge,” he explained.
“I don’t know how we’re going to do that under present circumstances.”
All this creates a situation where Evers himself feels he has to take personal caution.
“We’re a long way at this point where I’ll be going anyplace.”
