Evers says vaccines will help Wisconsin enjoy the summer

Summer is on the way.  Less than three weeks until Memorial Day, and folks in Wisconsin can think about cookouts, and concerts.  Ball games, and cream puffs at the state fair. 

Governor Tony Evers is already hopeful about getting back to things we missed last summer, because of the pandemic.  And he says we might stop wearing masks soon, when it’s safe.

“We don’t have a mask mandate in the state, in case you didn’t know that,” Evers said. “We’re relying on our local public health officers to make their recommendations known, and I think they’re doin’ a great job.”    

Evers encourages state residents to be vaccinated and “invite a friend” to go along.  The state says 2.2 million Wisconsin residents are fully vaccinated now.             

On Wednesday, the CDC approved plans for children as young as 12 to get COVID-19 vaccine.  Wisconsin deputy health director Julie Van Dijk is excited by the news.

“Trials show that the Pfizer vaccine is 100 per cent effective in preventing infection in children age 12 to 15,” she said. “And that is very, very good news.”    

Van Dijk tells reporters that a large amount of vaccination has helped Wisconsin reduce its demand for vaccine from federal sources.