First COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments Arrive in Minnesota
On Monday, the first COVID-19 vaccine shipments arrived in Minnesota. Governor Walz visited the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center to greet the very first shipment’s arrival. On Tuesday, the Governor returned to the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center to applaud as the Minneapolis VA administered their first vaccine to nurse Thera Witte.
“This is an exciting day for Minnesota,” said Governor Tim Walz. “The first vaccines are here. They are safe, and they will be ready to go soon. The sun is coming up, Minnesota”
“With these first shipments, we will soon begin vaccinating thousands of health care workers and the most critically at-risk Minnesotans,” Governor Walz continued. “All Minnesotans will have the opportunity to receive the vaccine in time, but until then, we need to stay safe and keep up the fight.”
Photo is courtesy of the Star Tribune via AP Pool
Governor Walz Announces Next Steps on COVID-19 to Prioritize Getting Kids Back in School, Protect Hospital Capacity
As hospitals remain concerned about capacity, Governor Walz announced a plan to continue combatting community spread of COVID-19 while getting students back in the classroom and supporting Minnesotans’ quality of life. Following the announcement, the Governor signed into law a $216 million economic relief package to support small businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic.
“The sun is rising across Minnesota. Vaccines have arrived and the light at the end of the tunnel is much brighter today than it was at the beginning of this four-week dial back,” Governor Walz said. “There is strong evidence we are starting to turn a corner thanks to the hard work of Minnesotans over the last few weeks to keep each other safe. But we aren’t out of the woods yet. This way forward will help bridge the gap to vaccination by continuing to protect hospital capacity while prioritizing getting our kids back in the classroom and supporting Minnesotans’ quality of life.”
Kids being in school is an important public health priority. Schools play a critical role in the health, well-being, and education of Minnesota’s children. Based on Minnesota’s evolving understanding of the virus, young kids are believed to be less susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19. The state has also learned more about how to reduce the potential for spread in schools from success in other settings. Today the Governor updated the Safe Learning Plan so that starting on January 18, 2021, every elementary school across the state may choose to operate in an in-person learning model as long as they are able to implement additional mitigation strategies, which include providing and requiring staff to wear a face shield and mask and offering regular testing.
More information on these restrictions and the state response is available here.
Governor Walz Signs $216 Million Small Business Relief Package Into Law
On Wednesday, Governor Walz signed into law the bipartisan $216 million economic relief package that includes direct support for small businesses and a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits.
“Our small businesses have made enormous sacrifices to their own bottom lines for the good of our state. This is a critical lifeline for those businesses, and for the Minnesotans whose livelihoods depend on them,” said Governor Walz. “This bipartisan bill will provide direct, targeted aid to keep our small businesses afloat, support workers struggling to get by, and help families put food on the table while we work to get the virus under control.”
The bill includes $88 million in direct payments to restaurants, bars, and gyms; $14 million for convention centers and movie theaters; and $114.8 million for local economically significant businesses and organizations, including non-profits, that will be distributed by counties.
Minnesota is Ready for COVID-19 Vaccine
Last week, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota is ready to receive and distribute a vaccine effectively, safely, and equitably.
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.
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.
Walz-Flanagan Administration Announce Nearly $200 Million to Increase Access to Affordable Housing Across Minnesota
Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Leimaile Ho announced in an online presentation today that the Minnesota Housing board of directors approved staff recommendations of $195 million to create and preserve 2,387 homes throughout the state, including rental units and single-family homes.
“Every Minnesotan deserves access to affordable housing,” said Governor Walz. “That has never been clearer than this year as we seek stable places to live, raise families, and shelter from the virus. We must increase affordable housing options for Minnesotans across the state, and today’s announcement is a critical step toward making that a reality.”
“Minnesota Housing’s 2020 selections and advancements chart the future of the state’s housing investments with equity at the center,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “Housing is health. It’s the foundation for success, a safe place to be, and a springboard for opportunity. Every Minnesotan deserves housing that is affordable and fits their needs.”
Full details on all of the selected and advancing developments, including maps and videos, are available online at www.mnhousing.gov/sites/np/2020selections.
Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Lives Lost to COVID-19
Governor Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, December 19. He has directed flags to fly at half-staff on the 19th of every month through 2020 to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19.
Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are also encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Minnesotans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and their families.
- Minnesota announces $195 million in housing grants and loans (Pioneer Press)
- New report shares steps to address epidemic of violence facing Indigenous women and girls (Bring Me the News)
- Walz announces new elementary school plans starting in January (KSTP)
- MN’s early COVID vaccine rollout will be careful, deliberate (Pioneer Press)
- Officials discuss COVID-19 vaccine plan at Minneapolis VA Health Care System (KSTP)
- Walz Set To Sign $215 Million COVID Relief Bill (WCCO)