Wisconsin lawmakers in the state Senate on Wednesday will take up a coronavirus relief package under a cloud of criticism over the bill's treatment of first responders.
Republican lawmakers in the state Assembly in last-minute amendment scaled back workers compensation protections for first responders during the virus outbreak.
Instead of applying to all health care workers, the bill passed Tuesday by the Assembly provides protections only to health care workers who treat coronavirus patients, police officers and firefighters if these workers can prove they were exposed while working on a person diagnosed with the virus...
"The law will presume that a first responder’s COVID-19 injuries are caused by their employment as long as they can prove it," Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, tweeted. "Thanks for nothing."