GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A pandemic is bringing Northeast Wisconsin health leaders together in ways they haven’t before.
Five Green Bay hospitals and Oneida Nation are asking Brown County leaders to require masks by law.
“The way we have collaborated during COVID-19 is definitely a first,” said CEO and President of Bellin Health, Chris Woleske.
A letter sent to the Brown County board is signed by: President of Aurora BayCare Medical Center, CEO of BayCare Clinic, President and CEO of HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, President and CEO of Bellin Health, President and CEO of Prevea Health, and directors of medical and operations of Oneida Comprehensive Health Division.
“It helps set the standard for all of us in terms of an expectation for public health purposes,” said Woleske.
Up until this point, the county has only recommended the use of masks.
But Anna Destree, Brown County Public Health Officer, tells FOX 11…
“There’s not an enforcement mechanism behind it. It doesn’t have any power or teeth to it.”
Health leaders say rising infections show it’s time to start enforcing masks.
Part of their letter to Brown County supervisors says, “our ability to provide health care for all people in the region would be impaired if the number of COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization exceeds our capacity.”
Destree says the letter is a start to get the conversations going.
“The health care leadership brought it up to county board, it allows us to have a conversation around it and that’s a good thing.”
While the power to create the law remains with the County Board, Destree said, “I know there will be plenty of conversation around it within this next week.”
Woleske tells FOX 11 the county can look at mask mandates in other parts of the country, to help them shape any plan.
“What we know is indoors is the highest risk so I think starting with that and masking indoors ought to be universally mandated. If someone is out for a run in the park by themselves and can keep distance, there’s no reason for a mask in that situation.”
The Green Bay City Council will be discussing a proposed face-mask mandate at its meeting next week.
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