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'Safer at Home is working': Gov. Tony Evers reinforces message behind Safer at Home extension after protests

Gov. Evers
Posted at 10:33 AM, Apr 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-20 11:56:38-04

Gov. Tony Evers on Monday shared a video on social media reinforcing the message behind his Safer at Home extension.

In the video, titled 'Let's Get This Done Together,' Evers says, "Wisconsinites, I am once again calling on you to rise to the challenge. Safer at Home is working. We have reduced cases, prevented hospitalizations, and saved lives. So let’s get this done together."

Evers has faced backlash from some after extending the Safer at Home order through May 26. Protests have been held in both Brookfield and Madison in disapproval of the extension that was originally set to expire on April 24.

Republicans in the state legislature have said they will appeal to the state's Supreme Court to block the order.

"The governor passed his authority over to the secretary of health and human services and she basically is a bureaucrat who does not have jurisdictions over the legislature," said State Senator Alberta Darling. "We are the elected officials and she has bypassed our role. Usually what happens when a secretary has a policy, she has to run it through our rules process, have hearings, and run it through it our rules committee and have it approved by the legislature. He's totally disregarded that oversight and that's automatically wrong. I don't want a bureaucrat telling me how to shut down business and how to stay in my home. "

Earlier Monday, The Tavern League of Wisconsin urged Evers to consider a soft reopening of restaurants, taverns and supper clubs in the state on May 1.

"On May 26th, when the current Stay at Home Order ends, the challenges facing Wisconsin in fighting the Coronavirus will essentially be the same as they are today, with no vaccine available," said the Tavern League in a press release. "According to experts, a vaccine will not be widely available for 12 to 18 months. Wisconsinites cannot live under a Stay at Home Order for the next 12 to 18 months."

The group is recommending a reopening that includes continuing social distancing and other guidelines in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

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