'Stay home,' Gov. Evers Says In Democratic Radio Address

MADISON,WI — Gov. Tony Evers delivered the Democratic Radio Address encouraging Wisconsinites to stay home and take every precaution to protect the health and safety of their friends, neighbors, and communities.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to consider reinstating Evers' coronavirus restrictions limiting the size of public gatherings, deferring to a lower court to decide.

"While the state and country turned its eyes to the presidential election, Wisconsin had another record setting day for COVID-19 cases, with 5,935 Wisconsinites testing positive on Wednesday.

Folks, this pandemic isn’t happening someplace else or to somebody else. Wisconsinites in every corner of our state know firsthand the tragedy and loss of this virus.

That’s why we’ve got to get back to the basics of fighting this virus-- I know everyone is tired of all the court decisions whiplash, so here’s the bottom line: stay home.

Don’t have people at your home who are outside of your immediate family or household. Don’t host or go to gatherings with people outside of your immediate family or household. Limit your social interactions to a circle of 5, and start planning your holidays to happen virtually.

Support our local restaurants by getting your food delivered or picking it up to go. Support our local businesses by ordering online and doing contactless pickup.

Visit your doctor using telemedicine if you can. Go for a walk or bike ride and some fresh air outside and enjoy what’s left of the fall, but otherwise please only leave your house if it’s absolutely necessary and essential like picking up prescriptions or grabbing groceries.

Make no mistake—every time you choose to stay home, every time you decline a party invitation, every time you get take out instead of dining in, and every time you make another sacrifice after months of sacrifices, you help stop the spread.

The choices you make every day could be the difference between preventing a hospitalization or even saving a life. I hope I can count on you for your help. Thank you."

The capacity limits order was issued Oct. 6 by Andrea Palm, secretary of the state Department of Health Services, in the face of surging coronavirus cases in Wisconsin. Evers said he was making the move to curb the spread of the virus as it spikes in Wisconsin.

The state also opened a field hospital near Milwaukee on to handle an overflow of patients from hospitals that hit a record-high number of COVID-19 patients.

Evers also declared a public heath emergency in September and extended a statewide mask mandate until Nov. 21. The order, which was in effect since August, was set to expire in September.

Under the original mask order, Wisconsin residents age 5 and older are required to wear a face mask when they are indoors or in an enclosed space, other than at a private residence, with anyone outside their family or living unit.

State officials said face masks also are strongly recommended if a person is outdoors where maintaining physical distancing is not possible. The order also spells out exceptions to the requirement, listing activities such as when someone is eating, drinking or swimming. People with health conditions or disabilities that would preclude the wearing of a face mask safely are also exempt from the requirement.