Video Showing Maskless Crowd At New Berlin Bar Raises Concerns

NEW BERLIN, WI —A video of people inside a crowded bar not wearing masks and listening to music has raised eyebrows and concerns as coronavirus cases surge in Wisconsin and across the country.

The Waukesha County Public Health confirmed to Patch that a handful of concerned people called it regarding Greenfield Pub, 16461 W. Greenfield Ave. The video shows people listening to live music while not wearing masks or practicing social distancing. The bartender in the video is also seen not wearing a mask.

Patch reached out to the owners of Greenfield Pub on Tuesday and received the following reply:

"Thank you for the message, at this time we do not wish to comment on the video but I will reach out to you if I change my mind. Thank you."

In a subsequent photo posted by the bar, which also shows patrons standing close together and without masks, the bar said it would be deleting all negative comments.

"I am sorry but all negative comments will be deleted," a comment from the bar said. "We respect your right to your opinion and will be happy to address any concerns through private messages."

The county health department said that recommendations for indoor gatherings in Waukesha County, issued Sept. 3, remain current. All indoor activities where individuals congregate in a social setting should be limited to 50 percent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, with a focus on maintaining appropriate social distancing.

"Business and educational facilities that take proper precautions, as recommended by the CDC, are seeing minimal transmission of the virus," Linda Wickstrom, the department's public information officer, told Patch. "Social activities appear to be the main drivers causing people to quarantine, which has a cascading effect on businesses and schools."

A mask mandate is also in place in Wisconsin.

The emergency order issued by Gov. Tony Evers requires every person age 5 and older to wear a face covering indoors when not in their home. The order was issued Sept. 22 and is in effect until Saturday.

"Waukesha County Public Health recognizes and promotes that wearing a mask is one of the most effective tools available to mitigate the spread of the virus by decreasing its transmission," Wickstrom said. "Mask enforcement is left to local law enforcement or private business at their discretion. The state mask order is a safety initiative to protect the citizens of Wisconsin. It is also related to compliance. A business may choose to issue and enforce its own rules on masks."

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is hearing a case over the legality of Evers' mask mandate. The court began to hear oral arguments Monday.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 4,389 new coronavirus cases Monday, bringing the historical total to 316,758 positive coronavirus cases in Wisconsin.

It is not known if Saturday's event violated capacity limits or if any warnings, citations or fines would be issued.

Capt. Mike Glider of the New Berlin Police Department said police didn't receive any calls about the bar being crowded.

"We will assist the Waukesha County Health Department if they ask for our assistance in enforcing the mask order," Glider told Patch.

New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament released the following comment to Patch:

"In light of the current surge in Coronavirus cases the City of New Berlin strongly encourages all establishments, businesses and residents in our city to refocus on ways they can help reducing the spread of this virus. We ask that you be responsible and considerate of others during the COVID-19 pandemic by following CDC and Waukesha County Health Department guidelines."

Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow sent Patch the following statement:

"Gatherings like the type you are referring to are exactly what Waukesha County is asking residents and businesses to avoid to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Currently, places of business and educational facilities that take proper precautions, as recommended by the CDC, are seeing minimal transmission of the virus. Social activities appear to be the main drivers of quarantines that are impacting our classrooms and businesses. These activities should be avoided, or modified to lower their risk.

We have been working with businesses throughout the pandemic to ensure they have the resources necessary to take appropriate precautions. Our Stay Safe to Stay Open campaign was developed in partnership with local businesses as a unified approach to promote the actions businesses and residents can take to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That campaign has since been extended to include schools.

This week, Waukesha County Public Health will also deploy a new process to engage businesses as community partners to assist in contact tracing as the county shifts its focus on tracking positive COVID-19 cases."