Gov. Walz and Lt. Flanagan Update: December 11, 2020 , CD3 DFL

Minnesota is Ready for COVID-19 Vaccine

On Tuesday, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota is ready to receive and distribute a vaccine effectively, safely, and equitably at the moment it is made available to states.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Walz has been committed to transparency and accountability, bringing Minnesotans along with him every step of the way as we learn how best to weather this storm. And the vaccine distribution plan distribution plan is no different.

“There are a number of factors outside of our state government control when it comes to getting the vaccine to Minnesotans, including the federal government’s national guidelines on distribution and the supply of the vaccine,” said Governor Walz. “But in Minnesota, we are ready for the vaccine at the moment it becomes available. Our infrastructure is set and our plans are ready to execute. Until then, we need to stay patient, remain hopeful, and keep up the fight.”

The Governor outlined the three principles that will guide our distribution of the vaccine:

Immunize for impact: Maximize immediate health benefit, reduce death, and minimize the harm created by COVID-19 by starting with those most susceptible to serious complications and those who care for them.
Equitable distribution and access: Make sure no procedural or structural issues impact access to the vaccine among any particular group or population. And we want Minnesotans in every corner and every community to know they can trust the process, the safety, and the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Transparency: Share information as quickly as possible with Minnesotans.

The process for distributing the vaccine is complex and is led by the federal government. To get the vaccine to Minnesotans:

The federal government will:
- Regulate vaccine development and approve those that are safe and effective.
- Work with vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer and Moderna to procure vaccines.
- Tell states how much vaccine they get and when.
- Convene a committee of experts that helps prioritize who gets the vaccine in each phase.
- Ship the vaccine to Minnesota.
The State of Minnesota will:
- Work with hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, tribal health, and local public health to get the vaccine out to Minnesotans.

More information on the state’s vaccine distribution plan is available here.

Governor Walz Convenes Special Session of Minnesota Legislature to Pass COVID-19 Relief for Small Businesses, Workers, Families

On Wednesday, Governor Walz announced that he will convene a special session of the Minnesota Legislature beginning on Monday, December 14, 2020 in order to provide much-needed relief to small businesses, workers, and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, amid climbing COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, Governor Walz intends to extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by 30 days to ensure that the state can continue to quickly respond to the pandemic.

“Minnesota’s small businesses and workers are bearing a large burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect their entire community amid restrictions that are saving lives,” said Governor Walz. “I call upon our state legislature to come together and ensure our businesses stay afloat, our workers are supported, and our families can put food on the table.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Governor Walz has invested $100 million dollars to support more than 8,000 Minnesota businesses. The state has also given nearly $840 million in support to local governments, much of which has been distributed to small businesses across the state. Also last month, the Governor wrote a letter urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to act quickly to provide assistance for workers, families, businesses, and states.

Governor Walz Addresses New CDC Quarantine Recommendations

On Monday, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota has adopted CDC recommendations for shorter quarantines after potential exposure to COVID-19. It is still safest to wait 14 days to see if you contract the virus, but under certain conditions Minnesotans can end their quarantine in 7-10 days.

If you haven’t tested positive, have no symptoms, and continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days, your quarantine can be shortened to 10 days. If you also test negative after 5 days, you can shorten your quarantine to 7 days.
If your exposure is to someone in your household, if you’re a health care worker, or you have symptoms, you should still quarantine for the full 14 days.
Our guidance for what to do after a positive test hasn’t changed: If you have symptoms, isolate until you feel better, it has been 10 days since you first felt sick, and you haven’t had a fever for 24 hours. If you have no symptoms, stay home for at least 10 days after your test.

More information on the updated guidance for COVID-19 quarantines is available here.

Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Governor Walz also proclaimed Monday, December 7, 2020, as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Minnesota, in honor of the 79th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the more than 2,400 service members and civilians who lost their lives that day.“On the 79th anniversary, we lower our flags in honor and remembrance of the Americans killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941,” said Governor Walz. “We recognize the incredible courage and perseverance of our service members and civilians who sacrificed their lives while protecting the freedoms of the American people.”

Governor Walz Announces over 230,000 Minnesotans are Using Minnesota’s COVID-19 Exposure Notification App

Last week, Governor Walz announced that over 230,000 Minnesotans have downloaded the COVID-19 exposure app COVIDaware MN. Within two days of the app’s November 23 launch, it reached the #3 most popular utilities app in the iPhone App Store.

COVIDaware MN has strong support throughout the state, and works best when local organizations lead adoption for their communities. Eight universities and colleges are partnering with Minnesota to encourage adoption of COVIDaware MN, and many more are conducting outreach to their communities. Alongside partnerships with higher education institutions, Minnesota is working with health organizations and trusted faith community partners to encourage the adoption of COVIDaware MN.

Minnesotans can learn more about the app on the COVIDaware MN website , and download it today from the Google Play or App Store.

State Updates COVID-19 Testing Recommendations for Dial-Back Period

Getting a test for COVID-19 in Minnesota is easy, free, and helps you keep those around you safe. During Minnesota’s dial-back period to slow the state’s alarming rate of COVID-19 transmission and prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials have issued updated testing recommendations on who needs to be tested, when to be tested, and which option may be best.

Who should get tested during Dial Back, Minnesota

Anyone with symptoms should seek out testing immediately.
Anyone who was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 should get tested.
Anyone who is still working at places that remain open during Dial Back, Minnesota should get tested. This includes critical infrastructure, first responders, health care, retail, child care, etc.

Minnesotans now have several accessible choices available to them, including 20 longer-term community testing sites offering nasal and saliva testing, a mail-order program, and clinics and hospitals across the state.