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MADISON, Wisconsin – President Donald Trump moved a planned apparition in western Wisconsin to another part of the state amid calls from a city mayor and the state governor, both Democrats, not to hold a rally there because of to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
The La Crosse airport director said the event was canceled due to a leasing issue, not coronavirus concerns.
Wisconsin ranks third among states for per capita increases in cases over the past two weeks. State health officials reported 2,887 new confirmed cases on Thursday (October 1), a new daily record, along with 21 more deaths. The state has seen 125,161 cases and 1,348 deaths since the pandemic began.
Trump replaced the La Crosse rally with one in Janesville, about 175 miles away, where the virus is not spreading as fast. He will also hold a rally on Saturday in Green Bay. They will both be outside at airports.
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Trump’s decision to visit Janesville prompted authorities there to also request that Trump reconsider.
Both La Crosse and Green Bay have been identified as a “red zone” for the community spread of COVID-19 by the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Janesville is not on the list.
The coronavirus task force report called for social distancing in the “red zones” to the “maximum degree possible.” Trump rallies often draw thousands of people, huddling close together, shouting and cheering, the vast majority without masks.
A political rally violated the terms of the La Crosse airport lease with Colgan Air Service, which planned to host the rally, airport director Ian Turner said.
“The tenant was notified of this, did not agree with the position of the City of La Crosse, but chose not to host the event,” Turner said in a statement. Kelly Colgan Hammen, president of the private air service where the rally would be held, did not immediately return a message.
“The tenant was notified of this, did not agree with the position of the City of La Crosse, but chose not to host the event,” Turner said in a statement. She did not identify who the tenant was.
Trump made a similar move last month, reversing his plans for large demonstrations at Nevada airports after local officials warned they would violate the state ban on gatherings of more than 50 people. There is no state limit for gatherings in Wisconsin after Republicans successfully defied the Democratic governor’s “safer at home” order this spring.
State and local health officials in Wisconsin urged attendees to follow local guidelines, but stopped short of asking Trump not to come.
A collaboration of health care organizations in La Crosse, including Gundersen Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, and La Crosse County, recommends that people avoid any place where people do not wear masks or are physically away. They also recommend limiting outdoor gatherings to no more than 100 people.
“Masks and physical distancing should be required,” according to the guide published Wednesday by the health collaborator. “Venues should consider canceling or rescheduling any large gatherings planned for the next 14 days.”
As of Thursday, La Crosse County had reported 3,205 cases and three deaths. The state listed the level of COVID-19 activity as “very high.”
Brown County, where Green Bay is located, has had 9,796 cases and 66 deaths. The number of positive cases in the past two weeks increased 24 percent, according to the state Department of Health Services.
In Rock County, where Janesville is located, virus activity is listed as “high,” one level lower than Brown and La Crosse counties.
Rock County Board Chair Kara Purviance said in a statement that the county is seeing its highest number of active cases yet, and expected Trump to reconsider. But if the rally continues, she said, she urges residents to follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said he expected Trump to cancel his visit to the state. If Trump holds a rally in Wisconsin, he should insist that his supporters wear masks and not let them in if they refuse, the governor said.
“He can control this,” Evers said.
Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Andrew Hitt defended the president’s arrival in Wisconsin, saying his supporters are encouraged by his in-person appearances.
“We are going to take precautions,” Hitt said. “We are going to make sure we have masks, we are going to encourage people to wear masks … We need to make sure we are open and tell people, ‘Look if you think you’ve been exposed, please do not come.'”
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