WASHINGTON (US) – In the wake of Wisconsin battling one of the worst surges of the pandemic in the country, a judge has reinstated the order of Governor Toney Evers which limits the size of indoor gatherings at bars, restaurants and other venues.
To curb the spread of the virus, the Democratic governor has capped the attendance at indoor events at 25% until Nov. 6. Bar owners had challenged it in court after it was issued on Oct. 6 and a judge blocked it on Oct. 14.
Sarah Kleban, 19, is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse who also works as a waitress in Milwaukee where she hails from. She said she supported the order of the governor although she depends on tips from customers to make ends meet.
“A 25% limit really hurts, but I think we need to put people’s safety first,” Kleban said. “If we have to choose between wages or safety, we have to be safe.”
One of the battleground states as far as the presidential election is concerned, Wisconsin is struggling to contain the resurgence of the pandemic, which officials fear could stretch the hospitals to the limits.
“This critically important ruling will help us prevent the spread of this virus by restoring limits on public gatherings,” Evers said in a statement.
On Monday, a group representing administrators of nursing homes said that there could be a spike in coronavirus infections among their highly vulnerable inmates.
