Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 21, 2020

June 21, 2020

Updates from the Governor

The Governor and Lt. Governor continue to lead Minnesota through the COVID-19 pandemic and are ready to continue their work to enact police accountability and reform and build a stronger, more equitable economy. Below is a summary of their actions this week.

Week in Review

On Monday, June 15 Governor Walz traveled to Duluth to visit the Clayton-Jackson-McGhie memorial on the 100th anniversary of their deaths. On June 15, 1920, Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie, three Black men, were wrongfully accused of a crime, violently removed from the Duluth city jail by an estimated mob of 10,000, and brutally hanged from a lamp post on a city street. The Governor formally recognized their deaths with a proclamation to commemorate the tragic and often untold chapter in our state’s history.

On Tuesday, June 16 The Governor and Lt. Governor highlighted their Local Jobs and Projects Plan to jumpstart Minnesota’s economy and complete critical infrastructure projects across the state. The Governor also signed a bipartisan bill that will support Minnesota’s economic recovery by providing $62.5 million in grants for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, with a focus on Black, Brown, Indigenous, veteran, female, and Greater Minnesota business owners.

On Wednesday, June 17 The Governor and Lt. Governor continued to work with the legislature to enact police reform and accountability and build a stronger and more equitable economy. The Department of Employment and Economic Development announced a partnership with Coursera to give Minnesotans access to 3,800 courses that cover job-relevant skills in business, technology, and data science as well as courses related to professional and personal development. Minnesotans who are interested may provide their name and contact information at CareerForceMN.com/Coursera to receive access.

On Thursday, June 18 Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan were joined by public safety officials and legislative leaders in pushing for police accountability and reform. The Governor also ordered flags to fly at half staff on Friday, June 19 to honor, mourn and remember the victims of COVID-19 and their families. The Department of Health (MDH) released guidance for window visits at long-term care facilities. For guidance, recommendations, and resources, visit Long-term Care: COVID-19.

On Friday, June 19 Governor Walz issued a proclamation to officially recognize June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Freedom Day in the State of Minnesota to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. He also called on the legislature to work with community to establish a state holiday recognizing Juneteenth. MDH also issued new guidance on youth sports participation during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance recommends that youth sports games and scrimmages resume June 24 or later for outdoor sports, and July 1 or later for indoor sports

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lower COVID-19 spread.
  • Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
  • Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms – Find testing locations.
  • Stay six feet away from others.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
  • Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

Resources