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A day after Washington County’s top elected official said all coronavirus restrictions would be lifted, the county’s acting health official announced that a resident had tested positive for the most contagious variant. first detected in the UK.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services informed the county of the diagnosis on March 12. The individual was tested in February, the Washington Ozaukee County Public Health Department said in a press release.
As vaccines multiply in Wisconsin, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says masks and social distancing remain two of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including its variants.
At the same time, Washington County is entering a “new phase … free from restrictions and government recommendations,” County Executive Josh Schoemann said Thursday.
That means no county-imposed mask warrant, no COVID-19 capacity limit for restaurants and businesses, and no mandatory social distancing requirements.
“No restrictions,” he said in an interview with a journalist.
He said it’s up to every business and individual to use “common sense” about COVID-19 precautions.
“This new phase is characterized at best as a movement towards a full return to life as we have long known it, free from government restrictions and recommendations and renewed in our commitment to fully assume personal responsibility and individual freedom with love for our neighbor, ”Schoemann said in a press release.
In an interview, he said he did not plan to wear a mask at county meetings or events. If others want him to wear a mask, he said he would “absolutely” do it.
It’s up to people and businesses to decide for themselves, he said.
Schoemann, elected in April 2020, has spoken openly against COVID restrictions over the past year. In October, as cases escalated statewide, including his county, he said the county would not enforce the mask warrant and people who reported mask violations were “wasting” time of the health department. In April, it reopened golf courses when others in the state were closed under Gov. Tony Evers’ home security order.
Washington County remains in the high category for caseload with 113.9 cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks, according to its COVID dashboard.
Lifting restrictions completely is more lenient than Milwaukee’s new COVID-19 health order that goes into effect today, easing COVID-19 restrictions.
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson – who was director of the Washington Ozaukee Department of Public Health until the end of February – announced Thursday that Milwaukee’s new order would result in restrictions on museums, sporting events, bars and restaurants.
Schoemann said in the press release that he had asked the health department to help reopen churches, businesses, civic organizations, schools and other institutions, in order to restore normalcy.
“As public health needs at the start of a new virus have taken on additional weight and attention; so now, as vaccine and mitigation strategies force the virus to recede, we must recalibrate to restore fully balanced economic, mental, spiritual and social health needs that have been exacerbated by COVID-19, ”he said in the statement.
He said the health department will continue to support the community by providing testing and access to the vaccine.
Some companies will keep COVID-19 health measures
Although Schoemann is prepared to lift the restrictions, some companies will be cautious.
Karl Barth, one of the managers of the Germantown Swing Time, which includes golf, batting cage, go-karts and a driving range, said the company will continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines posted on the website of the society. This includes social distancing and limiting the number of people in different parts of the facility.
Barth said that because the facility is outdoors, it’s easier for people to socially distance themselves.
Pinal Patel, owner of the Germantown business, of Perfect Arch Spa and Eyebrow Threading, said a mask requirement was essential due to the nature of his business.
“We have to wear masks because I’m so close to the client’s face,” she said. “I wear a mask and I ask them to wear a mask.”
Germantown Village Administrator Steve Kreklow said village departments and staff members should continue to follow the Evers Mask mandate.
But he said the village was reviewing its programs and activities and discussing its reopening strategies.
“There is a wide range of feelings,” he said. “We want everyone to find a place (in the village) where they feel comfortable.”
Others will not have restrictions on coronaviruses
Germantown Stix Golf owner Ryan Hughes said that while he understood when the shutdown began last March in response to COVID-19, he supports Schoemann’s decision to lift the restrictions.
“I am for personal freedom,” said Hughes. “I think giving business options (wearing masks or limiting capacity) is the right decision. If people are worried about the virus, they can stay home if they want to. Or if they don’t. no, they can come and wear a mask if they want. Or not. “
The Stix Golf has indoor golf simulators and a putting area as well as a restaurant and bar.
He added that if people want to get away socially, they can. But he doesn’t tell people what to do.
“I encourage people to be safe, to have clean hands and to respect people who wear masks,” he said. He said there was plenty of room in his business for people to socially walk away if that is their choice.
He said he removed the signs on the doors indicating that the masks were needed.
As a courtesy, he and his employees will wear masks. “I think it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Mark Brooks, owner of Germantown’s Das Barrel Room – Tavern & Grill, also agrees with Schoemann’s approach to lifting the restrictions.
“We let people decide (what precautions they want to take),” he said. “I’m glad things are back to normal.”
Schoemann told a reporter that removing the restrictions was a step towards a return to normal life.
There will be the county fair, beer gardens and festivals, which will look normal, as opposed to last summer, he said.
“Some people say they see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Schoemann said. “And now we are in the light.”
About 13,840 Washington County residents tested positive for COVID-19 and 137 people died from the virus on Friday. There are 353 active cases.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be contacted at 262-361-9132 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.
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