Wisconsin s mask mandate remains in place and the push to repeal it is on hold. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinThe state Assembly delayed its vote to end the mandate, saying new information had come to light. I hate being caught by surprise. We usually don t have that happen, Assembly speaker Robin Vos said. After delaying Thursday s session by more than four hours, Vos announced the Republican-led Assembly would postpone its scheduled vote to repeal Gov. Tony Evers emergency health order and mask mandate.The reason? The lawmakers were caught off guard by news from Legislative Fiscal Bureau that by ending the emergency health order, Wisconsin would lose nearly $50 million a month in Federal Emergency Foodshare funding, impacting nearly 250,000 families in need. It s not about masks, it s about money, Hunger Task Force Executive Director Sherri Tussler said.Tussler was the first to warn that lawmakers may be overlooking the fallout from ending the health order
Some Milwaukee-area school districts say that even if the statewide mask mandate is repealed, masks will be required in schools. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinFor now, masks in schools are the norm. That was an important part of our safety for our return and it is in our staff and student handbooks for the school year, Greendale School District Superintendent Kim Amidzich said. Amidzich said the policy won t change this school year. We have quite a few safety protocols in place which include wearing a mask in the buildings, and that requirement was supported by 70% of our families, Amidzich said.Masks will continue for high school sports, too. The WIAA is reasserting its policy requiring appropriately worn masks by participants and spectators. We are confident it is critical to keeping our students in school face to face, Menomonee Falls School District Superintendent Corey Golla said. Golla said staff members were already growing concerned about the efforts