Business & Tech
Wisconsinites Flood Open Bars After 'Safer At Home' Struck Down
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says the Badger State has been thrown "into chaos" by the high court's decision.
MILWAUKEE, WI — It didn't take long after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers' Safer At Home order before some bars and taverns reopened across the state. According to early reports, some were jammed with people, as the Wisconsin Tavern League urged bars to "open immediately."
The Iron Hog Saloon in Port Washington had its doors open by 3 p.m., according to WISN. A live broadcast on Twitter showed a packed crowed at Nick's on 2nd in Platteville.
The State Street Pub in Green Bay was busy 7 p.m., reports USA Today, as was nearby Lenny's Tap.
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Nick's on 2nd in Platteville touted that its dining area was filled with customers a mere 45 minutes after the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the Safer At Home order.
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45 minutes after the bars open in Wisconsin.... pic.twitter.com/xqaDlS6ajP
— Nick's bar (@nicksonsec) May 14, 2020
Another person posted a photo on Twitter, saying they were at the Bottoms Up bar in Oshkosh. In the photo, the person claims the bar room was filled with customers who were not following social distancing guidelines.
Here you go, Molly. A photo from an Oshkosh, Wisconsin bar named Bottoms Up. This was taken last night. As you can see, no one is following CDC guidelines - and it looks like the staff may be following unsanitary practices. pic.twitter.com/y9hII17sBW
— Cassie (@Liberalthelorax) May 14, 2020
Photojournalist William Glasheen posted a photo from Appleton of bar patrons raising a glass on Wednesday night.
Marvin Radtke toasts the opening of the Friends and Neighbors bar following the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision to strike down Gov. Tony Evers' safer-at-home order on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 in Appleton, Wis. #coronavirus #WISupremeCourt #OPENWISCONSIN #COVID19 #SaferAtHome pic.twitter.com/SLi6qQYM27
— William Glasheen (@WmGlasheen) May 14, 2020
"Up until now, Wisconsin was in a pretty good place in our battle against COVID-19," Evers said in a statement after the court's decision. "Despite that good work, Republican legislators have convinced 4 justices to throw our state into chaos."
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported Wednesday that 10,902 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus across the state, and 421 people have died from the virus. Another 117,111 people have tested negative for the virus across the state.
William Bornhoft, Patch Staff, contributed to this report.
Related Reading
- Wisconsin Coronavirus Tracker
- Wearing Masks During Coronavirus: What The Wisconsin DHS Says
- Coronavirus: Some Wisconsin Businesses Can Reopen Under New Order
- What's going on in Wisconsin? Find Out Here
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