Grim warning

The decision by Republican leaders to continue with the statewide election comes as the U.S. surgeon general warned this week would be “the hardest and saddest week of most Americans’ lives.” As the number of novel coronavirus cases and deaths climbs in Wisconsin, health officials have warned that minimizing the number of COVID-19 infections over the next two weeks is crucial to curbing the growth of the virus. One of the only ways to do that is to stay at home and, if going out is necessary, to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others.

If the virus’ growth isn’t contained in time, it could easily overwhelm hospitals and other health care facilities. In Wisconsin, about one in four people with confirmed COVID-19 infections have been hospitalized.

More than 15 other states have delayed spring elections due to the COVID-19 threat, but supporters of holding Wisconsin’s election say it’s different because it features important state and local races, some of which could become vacant with a delay, while other states featured largely primaries for fall general elections.