Neighbors,
This is a very difficult time as the world seems to be turning upside down. I find comfort knowing that, in Minnesota, we have the best medical and public safety professionals guided by the steady leadership of Governor Walz and his cabinet. The legislature, working in partnership with these experts, gives me hope of brighter days ahead.
On Thursday, the Minnesota House met to pass an aid package for Minnesotans coping with major disruptions from the COVID-19 virus. We implemented the Minnesota Dept. of Health guidelines for our floor session. Here’s a picture that shows the six feet social distancing we used for seating. Additional members were seated outside the chamber, six feet apart, and entered one at a time for voting.
[photo credit-Session Daily]
Highlights of the bill include:
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- Funding for small business loans, including restaurants and bars.
- One-time grants for childcare providers.
- Financial assistance for food banks, food shelves, and related transportation costs.
- Investments in secure, safe housing for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and Minnesotans experiencing homelessness.
- Extends the time frame for Minnesotans to renew driver’s licenses, permits, or disability parking permits that expire during the peacetime emergency (no additional fees would be charged for these extensions).
You can read details of the bill here.
We are already looking ahead at options to address long-term disruptions to our lives.
STAY AT HOME
In another important step, this week Gov. Walz signed a Stay at Home Executive Order (EO), directing Minnesotans to limit movements outside their homes beyond essential needs. The EO takes effect at midnight tonight, lasting through Friday, April 10. You can see a video from Gov. Walz on the EO here. You can read more information from the governor’s office here and read all of the Executive Orders here.
More answers to questions about the order can be found here.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
Read the latest on House and Senate Action
Session Daily is a comprehensive source of information from the Capitol
Questions for workers and employers:
651-259-7114 or 800-657-3858
https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/
School and childcare questions:
Call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7am-7pm daily)
Visit www.education.mn.gov
*Childcare providers with questions should call 1-888-234-1268
Health questions:
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7am-7pm daily)
Visit www.health.state.mn.us
Protecting Ourselves and Our Community
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