Just under a year ago, Demetrius Williams committed unspeakable acts of evil. Williams, who was upset with his pregnant girlfriend, nearly stabbed her to death and brutally murdered her 3-year-old little girl.
When asked why he killed the 3-year-old, Williams stated “he knew that killing (the girl) would bring (his girlfriend) great pain or hurt her a lot.”
Williams will likely be locked up for the rest of his life – as he should be. However, Gov. Tony Evers thinks 26-year-old Demetrius Williams should get moved to the front of line to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, which is overseen by Evers, recently announced that incarcerated persons would be part of the next group eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Wisconsin. Prisoners will be placed in the same priority group as teachers, food workers, and ahead of everyone else.
Evers is prioritizing convicted murders, rapists, and child molesters ahead of a 50-year-old single mom who is battling cancer and trying to raise her family. Evers is putting people like Christopher Kaphaem, a former nurse convicted of abusing nine hospitalized babies in a newborn intensive care unit, ahead of a 60-year-old grandfather with diabetes.
Evers has his priorities mixed up. Convicted criminals shouldn’t receive priority treatment for the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of anyone – especially not ahead of hardworking Wisconsinites who are high risk due to pre-existing conditions.
For this reason, I am authoring legislation that would prevent Gov. Evers and his Department of Health Services from placing prisoners to the front line of vaccine distribution.
My bill puts our most vulnerable population ahead of convicted criminals.
I understand social distancing is often not possible in our prisons which is why I support vaccinating correctional officers immediately. Vaccinating guards should help prevent spreading the disease into correctional facilities in the first place and, hopefully, limit the exposure to prisoners.
While it’s unfortunate, many prisoners have already had and recovered from COVID-19 – giving them some protection from further infection even without a vaccine.
While vaccine distribution has improved in the last week or so, the Evers Administration’s lack of a cohesive plan from the start had Wisconsin near the bottom of the list in terms of vaccine distribution by state for weeks.
Governor Evers should not compound the mistake of the botched rollout by using precious vaccine doses on individuals who are incarcerated for doing unspeakable acts of evil.
The Christopher Kaphaems and Demetrius Williams of the world should simply not be our priority for vaccinations. We can all think of people we know who are far more deserving of the vaccine.
Maybe it’s your sister who volunteers at the homeless shelter. Maybe it’s your priest or pastor. Maybe it’s your brother who is a lung cancer survivor. Whoever you have on your list, let’s get them protected before we start vaccinating murderers, child abusers, and rapists.
Holmen, Wis.

Three besties caring for each other by wearing masks
Jim Falls, Wis.

My granddaughter Johana and I - Getting through COVID-19 pandemic - "We can do it!"
La Crescent, MInn.

This is my 3 year old son Julian. I like to get my kids their favorite color and/or character to make it a little more fun to wear.
Working at the Tomah VA serving our Veterans during this pandemic!

In My Family We all Wear Our Masks Cindy And Baby V

mask made by fellow West Salem High School chemistry teacher

La Crosse punk

"My band had some masks printed to add to our merchandise line-up! Zammek - La Crosse Punk"
Lace for a lady

Caring for the community

A retired state social worker and her daughter who is a public school teacher say, “wearing masks when out and about is a simple and loving thing to do for your community.”
A mask with bling

Fancy that - a mask with bling!
Dinner guests

Having dinner guests together at home. Left to right, Don Smith, Mary Rohrer, and Nancy Korn Smith. We asked our readers to show off their masks for all to see. Use a form at https://go.lacrossetribune.com/Photos and send photos our way. We’ll put them in galleries that we will share on social media, and we’ll publish some of them in our papers.
A Friendly smile

"I intended this to my likeness and a friendly everyday mask. I was disappointed when i received it. Frankly, it's ridiculous...so I'll give readers a good laugh."
October 6: GIrls WIAA Division 2 sectional golf

Aquinas’ Alexis Smith hits an approach shot at the WIAA Division 2 girls golf sectional at Drugan’s Castle Mound in Holmen.
October 2: Edgar vs Onalaska

The Onalaska dance team performs at halftime.
October 2: Edgar vs Onalaska

Masked spectators watch the game.
September 22: Aquinas vs Onalaska

JB Weiser makes a save for Aquinas.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas

Aquinas’ Lauren Kelsey, left, and Victoria Nolte attempt a block on Westby’s Macy Stellner.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas

Aquinas’ Victoria Nolte serves.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas

The Westby tem celebrates a point won.
Holmen school lunches

Heather Mathwig, right, and Analise Smith with the Holmen School District Nutrition Department bag individual pizzas at Holmen Middle School.
Noodles & Company

Menche Evans cooks in the kitchen at the new Noodles & Company in Onalaska.
September 10: Dover-Eyota vs. La Crescent-Hokah

La Crescent-Hokah girls soccer head coach Jake Smith talks with player Olivia Meyer.
Onalaska Football

Onalaska head coach Tom Yashinsky runs football practice.
College during COVID

Western Technical College student Emery Thompson has his temperature taken by human resources department employee Jackie Kettner before entering the bookstore.
College during COVID

Face mask wearing students walk to and from classes on the first day of the fall semester on the UW-La Crosse campus.
Vice President Pence at Dairyland

Attendees give applause during the "A Stronger America Workforce" event at Dairyland Power Cooperative.
Vice President Pence at Dairyland

A woman in attendance for the "A Stronger America Workforce" event at Dairyland Power Cooperative with Vice President Mike Pence wears a patriotic facemask.
Scooping up smiles

Marty Diersen with the Sweet Shop hands a cone to Joy Benson, a member of Logan High School’s class of 1969, dressed as the children’s book character Raggedy Ann.
Rep. David Steffen, R- Green Bay represents the 4th Assembly District