Dear Neighbors,
I hope this finds you well.
Yesterday, Governor Walz has ordered K-12 public schools to close to students by Wednesday, March 18-Friday, March 27 for school administrators and teachers to make long-term plans for the continuity of education and essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a break for planning purposes on how distance learning opportunities might be delivered in the case of an extended closure, how students special education needs can be met, how to support students who are experiencing homelessness, and several other public-school service provisions. 900,000 students have been sent home in an effort to bend the curve. You can find the Governor’s executive order here.
Edina Public Schools is working to ensure students and families can stop to stop in and pick-up personal items, books, technology. They also have arranged curbside pick up for families who receive free and reduced-price lunches. Find more information here.
Please see the resource document my colleagues and I put together for up-to-date information on state agency and other resources to confront the many challenges posed by COVID-19.
Governor’s Press Conference Today
Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-04 to order the temporary closure of Minnesota restaurants and bars to dine-in customers. He also ordered the temporary closure of other places of public accommodation and amusement, including theaters, museums, fitness centers, and community clubs effective tomorrow-Friday, March 27. Take-out and curbside pickup will still operate at most locations. The Governor is encouraging grocery stores and pharmacies to stay open so Minnesotans can still get the items they need.
In an effort to support the many Minnesotans affected by these closures, the Governor signed Executive Order 20-05 to strengthen Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and ensure that workers who are not able to work as a result of COVID-19 have benefits available. Specifically, this Executive Order will waive the employer surcharge and allow the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to pay unemployment benefits immediately, providing fast relief to employees who need it.
These are difficult times, but I’m confident we can get through it together.
Resources for managing stress and anxiety can be found at the CDC’s website.
Take good care and contact me anytime with questions, or if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
State Representative