Hospitalized lawmaker’s wife: Support doctors who urge vaccines
MADISON – The wife of a state lawmaker hospitalized with COVID-19 is asking the public to consider trusting doctors who recommend vaccinations against the virus.
Renée Jacque, wife of Republican Sen. Andre Jacque, released a statement to a Green Bay-based television station on Monday, a week after her husband was intubated and placed on a ventilator as part of his hospital treatment.
“My children and I are filled with humble gratitude for the remarkable, compassionate medical professionals that are working tirelessly to care for Andre in the hospital,” Renée Jacque said to WBAY. “While vaccination is a personal choice, I ask that those individuals who are eligible and able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine please consider placing their trust in the medical professionals who recommend it.”
“These professionals, and their peers, are those whom we have also placed our trust in to care for my husband,” she continued. “We are so thankful for the generous outpour of heartfelt well wishes and sincere prayers for Andre and for our family.”
Andre Jacque, a Republican from De Pere who represents Senate District 1 in northeastern Wisconsin, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month and has been hospitalized in Green Bay for about two weeks. His spokesman has not said whether the senator is vaccinated.
Renée Jacque in her statement said five of the eight people in their family tested positive for COVID-19. She said of the three fully vaccinated members of her family, one experienced a breakthrough infection and experienced mild symptoms.
The state senator’s diagnosis came after he authored legislation that would bar COVID-19 vaccine mandates and supported legislative leaders’ efforts to eliminate the statewide face mask mandate amid a catastrophic surge of COVID-19 cases in the fall of 2020.
His hospitalization came days after he testified in at least two public hearings in the Wisconsin State Capitol without a face mask. Legislative leaders did not reach out to hearing attendees to notify them of a possible exposure to COVID-19.