On Tuesday (Jan. 26), the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate voted to repeal a statewide muzzling order issued by Gov. Tony Evers.
The Senate voted 18-13 to pass a joint resolution to repeal the statewide muzzling order issued by Evers, a Democrat. The resolution was co-sponsored by more than two dozen Republicans from the state.
Republican Senators Dale Kooyenga and Robert Cowles voted against the resolution, along with their Democratic colleagues.
To overturn the state’s muzzling order, the joint resolution must be supported by both houses of the state legislature, but does not require the governor’s approval. The governor’s statewide muzzle order was supposed to last until at least March 20.
If the resolution is successful, it will effectively eliminate the statewide implementation of the order.
The state House, which is controlled 58-30 by Republicans, will vote on Thursday.
Wisconsin House Speaker Robin Vos (R) did not say Tuesday what the chances are of the initiative to repeal the muzzle order winning in the Assembly.
The vote follows hours of debate between Democratic and Republican senators. State health care officials warned that eliminating the mask order would harm efforts to fight the CCA virus (New Coronavirus) pandemic.
“We ask all of our government leaders to support physicians and other frontline health care workers by promoting the wearing of masks as an effective tool in the fight against COVID-19, the disease caused by the Chinese Communist virus.” Wisconsin Medical Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD, said in a statement.
No groups have registered to support lifting the governor’s muzzle order.
According to the National Academy for State Health Policy, 41 U.S. states have muzzling orders in place.
The Chinese Communist virus can be spread by both those who wear masks and those who do not.
A study published last December by the Heritage Foundation suggests that there may be more effective interventions than government mask orders to control the spread of the virus, both in the United States and elsewhere.
The study showed that 25 U.S. counties with the highest number of officially reported cases had strict masking orders in place. Ninety-seven of the top 100 counties (with the worst outbreaks) have adopted the same measures.
The study is based on data provided by USA Facts, a nonpartisan data compiler that provides data to federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the study’s authors, “These findings do not deny the efficacy of wearing masks per se. Nor should they discourage the practice. Rather, they point out the inadequacy of public health strategies that rely heavily on lockdowns and mask orders.”
“The government should adopt more effective interventions. This includes better measures to protect nursing Home residents; nationwide screening through the widespread use of rapid self-testing, and the establishment of voluntary isolation centers. Allow infected people to recover there, rather than exposing their families to infection.”
Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (D) said in a statement that the chamber “took a stand for freedom and the rule of law” Tuesday.
“Governor Evers has abused his limited authority for far too long by repeatedly issuing illegal orders that exceed his 60-day emergency powers.” He said, “The Senate voted to end executive overreach and restore the voice of our constituents in the legislative process.”
Republican Sen. Stephen Nass (R-N.Y.), who authored the joint resolution, said overturning the mandate “is not about whether the muzzle is good or bad.”
“It’s about repeatedly issuing emergency orders that are contrary to the permissible scope of the law. This is about the rule of law.” Nass said.
The governor’s administration previously issued multiple emergency orders extending the state’s mask order as a necessary response to the developing outbreak.
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