Two of the most conservative members of the Wisconsin Senate on Friday accused state health officials of stoking fear over the coronavirus and warned that extending a stay at home order into May could lead to civil disobedience. Republican state senators Steve Nass, of Whitewater, and Duey Stroebel, of Cedarburg, were both highly critical of how governor Tony Evers’ administration has reacted to the COVID-19 outbreak. Stroebel called for a “fresh look” to re-evaluate policy choices and begin planning for “ reopening our civil life.” “Every sickness and death is a tragedy, but so are businesses and livelihoods ruined by shelter in place orders,” Stroebel said. Nass accused Wisconsin Department of Health Services secretary Andrea Palm of promoting “excessive levels of fear.” He also said state health officials told lawmakers that they want to see safer at home restrictions extended for up to six months.
