Wisconsin Supreme Court To Consider Mask Mandate On Monday

WISCONSIN—The Wisconsin Supreme Court is hearing a case over the legality of Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers' mask mandate. The Court began to hear oral arguments on Monday.

Because of the concerns around the coronavirus, oral arguments before the court will be conducted via videoconferencing. The hearing room will not be open to the public.

The public may watch proceedings on the Wisconsin Eye website.

Evers 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.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported at least 6,058 positive coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases to date to at least 312,369. Another 12 Wisconsin residents have died, bringing the death toll to at least 2,637.

There are currently 18 patients in the Alternate Care Facility (ACF) at Wisconsin State Fair Park as of Sunday.

The facility currently has 530 patient spaces, of which 296 include in-line oxygen care in a non-traditional, temporary environment.

Evers delivered a primetime address on Tuesday, calling for unity and working together in responding to the pandemic.

During his address, Evers pointed to projections from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. The IHME's projections indicates that based on current data, approximately 5,000 Wisconsinites could die from the coronavirus by January 1, 2021, if no further actions are taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus. That would mean an additional more than 2,500 Wisconsinites who would not make it to New Year's Day.

As the coronavirus continues to surge across the state, Gov. Evers announced Executive Order 94, which includes new measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The order advises Wisconsinites to stay home, urges precautions Wisconsinites should take to stay safe if they have to leave their home, and encourages businesses to take additional steps to protect workers, customers, and the surrounding community.

Evers also announced in the coming days he will be introducing new coronavirus response legislation to provide more support for Wisconsinites. He again called on Congress to pass legislation providing additional resources to states across the country.

"Each day this virus goes unchecked is a setback for our economic recovery," Evers said.