A Wisconsin border town without pandemic restrictions is inundated with Minnesota partiers; not

[TexasTowelie]

A Wisconsin border town without pandemic restrictions is inundated with Minnesota partiers; not everyone is thrilled


On the crowded streets of downtown Hudson, Wisconsin, after sunset on a Friday in December, a man could be overheard as he waited in a huddle to get into Agave Kitchen: “I believe in it, I just don’t think it’s that bad,” he said loudly, confident in his chances against COVID-19.

There were no parking spots to be had. Groups jumped out of vehicles quickly at red lights — mask-less and on a mission. By 7:30 p.m., almost 600 cars with Minnesota license plates lined the streets of this quaint bedroom community.

Hudson, located in St. Croix County, is only 18 miles from St. Paul — the perfect border town for Minnesotans who want to escape the tight coronavirus regulations imposed by Gov. Tim Walz, who only allowed restaurants to open again this week, but with a raft of regulations intended to prevent the spread of the virus.

Hudson currently does not have any capacity limits on indoor dining or restrictions such as social distancing or mask mandates. Other border towns separating Minnesota and Wisconsin have likewise become destinations for Minnesotans, but city leaders say the phenomenon has put more stress on Hudson because they have few citywide COVID-19 regulations, an under-staffed public health department and high infection rates. St. Croix County has had nearly 7,000 confirmed cases.

Read more: https://minnesotareformer.com/2021/01/13/a-wisconsin-border-town-without-pandemic-restrictions-is-inundated-with-minnesota-partiers-not-everyone-is-thrilled/

[Mister Ed]

1. Hudson's always been Sin City to those of us on the MN side of the river.

When I was a teenager, it was where your eighteen-year-old friend or sibling could go and purchase alcohol to bring back for the underage kids. And where you could go and stock up on fireworks that were illegal in Minnesota.

[Raster]

2. Enjoy your ventilators!

[OldBaldy1701E]

3. Not thrilled, eh?

I suppose you could... I don't know... enact some sensible restrictions to help slow the spread of the disease instead of being all 'money-grubby' about it? (I doubt the bar and restaurant owners are saying a word though...)

[Lulu KC]

4. St Croix county had this GOP chair

until he was asked to step down in the last few days.
https://www.newsweek.com/wisconsin-gop-group-condemned-prepare-war-website-message-1560758#Echobox=1610724665

[Jimbo S]

5. Reminds me of the drinking age

When Wisconsin was debating raising the age from 19 to 21, the Hudson Police Chief was the most outspoken supporter. I remember listening to his testimony run way over the time limit. And when Governor Earl signed the bill, the Chief was there.