'NO ONE is immune:' Milwaukee aldermen plead with residents to abide by stay-at-home orders

MILWAUKEE -- Two Milwaukee aldermen on Thursday, March 26 issued statements -- pleading with residents to take the coronavirus seriously, and abide by the statewide "Safer at Home" order, and the citywide "Stay at Home" order, issued by Governor Tony Evers and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, respectively. This, with seven COVID-19 related deaths reported in Milwaukee County.

Gov. Tony Evers' order, which took effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 25 continues until April 24, though the timeframe could be altered. It closed nonessential businesses, banning gatherings of any size, and imposing month-long travel restrictions in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

All public and private gatherings of any number of people who are not in the same family or living unit are prohibited. Evers previously limited gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Anyone who leaves home is required to maintain a 6-foot distance from other people as part of the social distancing effort that health officials say is the only effective way to slow the spread of the virus.

Milwaukee's "Stay at Home" order took effect at midnight Wednesday, March 25 -- closing all nonessential businesses. Mayor Barrett noted everyone can still work if their job is essential -- and everyone can get groceries, go to the doctor, even go for a walk if they practice social distancing.

"The more we can concentrate our efforts-- our community efforts into defeating this -- the faster our normal lives can get back to order," Barrett said.

It's up to local law enforcement to make sure people are obeying the new restrictions. The Milwaukee Police Department issued the following statement:

Alderman Russell Stamper II and Alderman Khalif Rainey on Thursday issued statements asking that residents please abide by these guidelines.

Stamper II added that two of his friends have tested positive for the coronavirus, so this hits home for him.

Statement from Alderman Stamper II:

Statement from Alderman Rainey:

Coronavirus-related deaths in Wisconsin (in chronological order based on when they were reported)