Neighbors,
News continues to pour in on the COVID-19 crisis. Today, Governor Walz signed several Executive Orders.
Taking effect tomorrow at 5:00 p.m., Executive Order (EO) 20-10 prohibits price gouging during the peacetime emergency. Minnesota does not have a statute on price gouging, and this EO will line it up with most other states. Violators are subject to investigation and enforcement by the Attorney General’s office.
Under Executive Order 20-11, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is authorized to seek federal authority to temporarily waive or modify certain requirements for federal programs, ensuring these programs continue providing critical support to Minnesota families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Order 20-12 will allow the Department of Human Services (DHS) to temporarily issue waivers or modifications to state requirements to ensure services can be delivered to Minnesotans safely to protect vulnerable Minnesotans and their caretakers.
Special MNsure enrollment period
Gov. Walz also announced a 30-day special enrollment period for those who qualify, to sign up for health insurance coverage through MNsure, beginning Monday, March 23, through Tuesday, April 21.
Minnesota Partnering with the YMCA
Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota will partner with the YMCA to provide care for the school-age children of emergency workers in Minnesota. Thirty-eight locations across Minnesota will open to provide access to distance learning and care to children in kindergarten through sixth grade, coordinating with school districts.
A full list of locations is available at ymcamn.org/mnchildcare. The cost is $40 per day and locations will coordinate with school districts on food drop-off sites. Registration is open and accessible at ymcamn.org/mnchildcare or 612-230-9622.
Protecting Ourselves and Our Community
Here are steps we can 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 Department 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.
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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 is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Laurie Pryor
State Representative