OurExecutive Director, Gina Dennik-Champion, has provided the below letter to the leaders of the Wisconsin State Senate and Wisconsin State Assembly in support of the current Masking Order #1.

if you would like a printable version of this communication, please click here.

State Senator Chris Kapenga, State Senate President

Room 220 South

State Capitol

PO Box 7882

Madison, WI 53707

and

State Senator Devin LeMahieu, Senate Majority Leader

Room 211 South

State Capitol

PO Box 7882

Madison, WI 53707

RE:   Request for continuation of Governor Evers most recent face masking order to support

Dear Senate Leaders, Chris Kapenga and Devin LeMahieu

The Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) is the organization representing the interests of Wisconsin’s 90,000 registered nurses. WNA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. WNA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all.

WNA have been actively engaged in supporting the education, practice, safety, and health of Wisconsin’s nurses throughout this COVID-19 public health emergency. This includes Governor Evers’ most recent Emergency Order #1 that addresses the continuation of the face masking order.

We respectfully request that the face mask order remain in place. The evidence shows:’

• That wearing a mask protects the individual.
• That wearing a mask protects person’s community.
• That wearing a mask protects nurses.

With the new highly contagious and greater illness outcome variant strain creeping across our state and country COVID, disease experts are recommending that individuals need to double mask. There is a big connection between the percentage of individuals not masking and the increase incidence of COVID.

The supply of nurses is dwindling, nurses are out of work due to COVID or they are in quarantine because of exposure. The impact of COVID continues to place insurmountable demands on the nursing workforce.  Nurses are losing their resilience. Individuals wearing a face masks provides assurances to nurses that they are valued. We ask that the state legislature show their support of the health and safety of nurses by promoting all residents of Wisconsin wear a mask.

WNA thanks you in advance for your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

Gina Dennik-Champion, MSN, RN, MSHA

Executive Director, Wisconsin Nurses Association