Wisconsin GOP Senator Criticizes COVID-19 Mask Mandates

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MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) Republican State Senator Andr Jacques, one of the most conservative lawmakers in the Wisconsin legislature and a vocal opponent of mask and vaccine warrants, has tested positive for COVID- 19 last week and was in the hospital on Monday with pneumonia.

The positive test and hospital care came after Jacque testified in a crowded Capitol courtroom on Wednesday without wearing a mask.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported on Tuesday that Jacques had tested positive and was in the hospital. De Pere’s lawmaker did not immediately return a text message on Tuesday asking for comment on his condition. His spokesperson provided a statement from Jacque dated Monday evening.

Jacque said in the email that some of his family have also tested positive for the virus. Jacques, 40, has six children, including an infant.

Jacque said in the email he was in hospital with pneumonia, but did not say if he had been admitted. Jacque said he had previously had pneumonia but did not immediately say if he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Jacque said he was largely asymptomatic with the exception of fatigue, which I felt more since the baby arrived. Fatigue has been a long-standing health issue for me, but otherwise I had good health results when I tested positive.

His office did not immediately respond to questions about Jacques’s vaccination.

Wisconsin, like much of the country, has seen COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations skyrocket in recent weeks due to the more contagious delta variant. On Monday, the seven-day average of positive cases reached its highest level since February. As of Monday, 660 people had been hospitalized statewide with the virus, the highest level since late January. In the past seven days, 179 people have been admitted to hospital with the virus.

Jacque has spoken openly against COVID-19 vaccination warrants, including sponsorship of bills that would prevent government officials or business owners from requiring proof of vaccination. Like other Republicans, he opposed the statewide mask mandate that the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned in March.

Jacque said since testing positive his legislative office has been following all protocols and I have personally contacted the limited number of close contacts last week in case I was positive at the time.

I don’t believe any of my employees or close contacts are showing symptoms, he said.

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