Neighbors,
Governor Walz’s Stay at Home Executive Order is nearly a week old and I have heard from many people that the directive is something they were already practicing. Minnesotans have been stepping up….and staying home. We know we can save lives if we use social distancing to lessen the severity and length of the pandemic. Friends and neighbors stay safe, stay home!
Many in our communities have lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can apply for Minnesota’s unemployment insurance (UI) here.
If you are self-employed or an independent contractor, the federal government is making unemployment benefits available.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has created a new guide for small businesses needing help during this unprecedented public health crisis. Click here for the most up-to-date and accurate information about financial assistance for small businesses.
Food Resources
PROP Food Shelf
14700 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Monday-Friday 9:30am-1pm and Wednesday 4-6:30pm
952-937-9120 | Visit Website | Get Directions
ICA Food Shelf
11588 K-Tel Drive Minnetonka, MN 55343
During this time, we are adjusting the way we provide food. We are now offering pre-packaged bags of food. When you come to the food shelf, check in at the front door, and then return to your car. Volunteers will pack your food and then bring it out to your trunk. We are trying to minimize physical contact to keep everyone as safe as possible.
952-938-7029 | Visit Website | Get Directions
Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP)
1605 North County Road 101, Plymouth, MN 55447
Serves residents of Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth and Wayzata. Call to schedule an appointment: 763-489-7500.
COVID-19 Update: Starting 3/23 we will be operating our drive-up food shelf model on Mondays 3-6 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
763-489-7500 | Visit Website | Get Directions
Other COVID-19 Resources
- Child Care
- Parents/Guardians needing child care resources can call Child Care Aware of MN at 1-888- 291-9811 or go to parentaware.org to search on-line for child care options
- Peacetime emergency child care provider grants
- Six Minnesota Initiative Foundations have launched an Emergency Child Care Grant Program to provide support for Greater Minnesota licensed child care providers serving families of essential workers needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Think Small” has launched an effort to issue grants to family child care programs in the metro area.
- Driver and Vehicle Services at the Department of Public Safety
- Frequently asked questions about: driver’s licenses, Real ID, vehicle registration tabs, road tests, etc.
- Health & Public Health Insurance
- Department of Health’s COVID-19 homepage containing a wealth of information
- MN Department of Health’s Situation Updates for COVID-19 are here
- Apply for Medical Assistance/MNCare here
- Information about MNsure Emergency Special Enrollment Period
- MNSure’s COVID-19 page
- How can I help?
- Suggestions for how you can help from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)
- Guidance on how to donate or procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from MN Management and Budget
- If you are a business that has a service, equipment, or other capability that could be of value in fighting the COVID-19 virus, please fill out this form
Here are steps we can continue to all take to stay healthy:
- COVID-19 primarily spreads by droplets. For your safety, the best thing to do is stay home. Even if healthy, stay home as much as is possible. If you must go out, stay at least six feet away from others.
- Wash your hands often and when you wash them, do so for 20 seconds before rinsing (that means singing Happy Birthday twice before rinsing).
- COVID-19 can also spread from surfaces to you, but only via mucous membranes. In other words, it can only infect you by going from your hands to your eyes, nose or mouth (it cannot infect you through your skin). Therefore, don’t touch your face. This is hard to stop doing (we are creatures of habit), so if you touch your face think about why and look to identify triggers. That will help you break the habit.
- If sick, stay home. If you are very sick (i.e. fever, cough, and shortness of breath) and you feel like you need to see someone, call first or do an e-visit. Do not just show up to your clinic, Urgent Care, or Emergency Dept. without notifying them first. This helps the clinic, Urgent Care, or Emergency Dept. prepare for you and helps avoid infecting others.
- When you cough, use your sleeve to cover your mouth and help prevent forming droplets that can infect others.
Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Laurie Pryor
State Representative