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A COURT RULING throwing out Wisconsin’s stay-at-home order threw communities into chaos as some bars opened immediately and were packed with customers while other local leaders moved quickly to keep strict restrictions in place amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The conservative majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court yesterday afternoon ruled that the “safer at home” order from Democratic governor Tony Evers was invalid and threw it out effective immediately.
The order forces Evers to work with the Republican-controlled Legislature on a new plan, a process that could take weeks.
Evers and Republican leaders scheduled a Thursday morning meeting to discuss next steps.
Donald J. Trump / Twitter
Donald J. Trump / Twitter / Twitter
The court ruling drew praise today from President Donald Trump, who referenced a victory earlier in the week in the state by a Republican congressional candidate in a special election.
“The Great State of Wisconsin, home to Tom Tiffany’s big Congressional Victory on Tuesday, was just given another win,”Trump tweeted.
“Its Democrat Governor was forced by the courts to let the State Open.
“The people want to get on with their lives. The place is bustling!”
Wisconsin is one of the key traditionally Democratic states won by Trump against Hillary Clinton.
The Tavern League of Wisconsin swiftly posted the news of the court decision on its website, telling members, “You can open immediately!”
Some bars did just that.
Nick’s Bar in Platteville, in far southwest Wisconsin, posted a 30-second video late Wednesday that showed the bar teeming with people drinking, talking and bobbing their heads to music.
Bars in Appleton and Kaukauna in northeast Wisconsin also opened and were packed with people.
The party may be short-lived in Appleton.
City officials signed an order yesterday that took effect at 8am today continuing the state’s “safer at home” order.
Other communities were taking similar steps, including Racine, Kenosha County and Brown County, home to Green Bay.
In Dane County, home to the capital of Madison, officials quickly imposed a mandate incorporating most of the statewide order until 26 May.
City health officials in Milwaukee said a stay-at-home order they enacted in late March remains in effect and does not have an end date.
As the debate on how to manage the coronavirus has grown more partisan, Republicans in other states have made similar moves.
In Kansas yesterday, top Republican politicians resisted Democratic governor Laura Kelly’s request to extend a disaster declaration to mid-June, with Senate President Susan Wagle declaring: “We won’t allow one dictator to determine everything.”
Democratic governors in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Louisiana have faced a mix of legislation and lawsuits aiming to curtail their power.
Evers had been slowly easing restrictions on closed businesses in Wisconsin as the percentage of new cases dropped and other metrics that were a part of his reopening plan were met.
Earlier this week, Evers allowed all nonessential retail businesses to allow up to five customers in a store at one time.
However, bars and restaurants had been limited to offering only carry-out or delivery services.
As of yesterday, there were nearly 10,100 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Wisconsin and 421 deaths, according to the state Department of Health Services.
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Brought the kids up to the local mountain ( Slieve na cailliagh ) to check out the slopes. Fertiliser bags full of straw all day and hot soup and rolls when we got home to the fire . Absolute heaven .
We were worried it would be gone today but another few inches fell last night so it’s back to the slide racing today and thank god I forgot to take down the Christmas tree. :)
Sounds just perfect! :)
Does it count if it’s not in Dublin?
No, Dublin snow only I’m afraid lol
Nothing counts if it’s not in Dublin
Oh really??? Can we?? Gee thanks.
I’m from Galway but I find this constant cribbing about Dublin a bit unseemly. It’s a few photos of snow scenes – get over yourselves folks.
“get over yourselves folks.”
#justabitofajoke
Dam — Fair enough!
I got trapped in Mc Daids a couple of years ago during snow, we had a snowball fight with Bruxelles, happy days
We had about 14 flakes in Laois earlier. Got all excited and then it stopped!
Is that not a bit dangerous?
Tinyurl ffs.
Said the actress to the bishop
Is the snow better in Dublin than down the country? Is it a better texture?
Of course it is, we make it with Perrier!
Claire, no it’s not but I’ve always heard that the Guinness is better down the country.
Well where I live according to the weather apps we were to receive 68mm of snow over 12hours – we did not receive 1 snow flake shows how accurate weather apps are I suppose
That photo could get Trevor Points on his license.
He was a passenger taking picture from driver’s point of view your honour!
I dont think there is any law about taking a picture
Still snowing in wicklow and thank god its not sticking,work to be done
nice pics.. love the photo of The Lough.
Ahh thanks!!
And for once it’s sunny in the west of Ireland
Fab picture of the lough!
Thank you! :)
Seems kildare is getting away with it. A few flakes but nothing to get excited about. :(
Feeling seriously left out…..we had a little flurry in Newbridge this morning that melted before it even hit the ground!
Been a while since ive been in Dublin during serious snow and id be quite happy for it to stay that way. Just too many tracksuits out this way.
Hope we have a few more inches to night. But I don’t think so
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