Neighbors,
We are now several months into our COVID pandemic emergency and the challenges continue for working families and businesses. I appreciate your efforts to help your neighbors to stay safe by staying home as much as you’re able, wearing a mask and social distancing when you are in public. We will get through this together!
District 48 Town Hall
Join Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn and me for a town hall on Thursday, December 17. We hope to see you.
State Finances Improving
Minnesota’s economic budget forecast released this week, indicates that our state is well-positioned to provide more economic aid to those negatively impacted by COVID-19. You can read more about the forecast by going to the Minnesota Management and Budget web page here.
While we are waiting for more federal aid, state leaders are committed to put first the needs of working families, small businesses, and Minnesotans whose livelihoods were harmed by COVID-19. We recently announced a new economic relief packageto keep small businesses afloat, support workers struggling to get by, and help Minnesota families put food on their tables. I look forward to working to deliver this much-needed assistance to those who are struggling to make ends meet.
Bringing refugee and immigrant advocates and state leaders together
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is bringing immigrant and refugee advocates and state leaders together to network and collaborate. More details here.
DEED is also available to help if your job has been impacted by COVID-19. They can help with unemployment insurance, career exploration and job training assistance. Visit their website at CareerForceMN.com.
Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19
- Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic (are not experiencing any symptoms). Wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lessen 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.
- 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.
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