Dear Neighbors,
As the COVID-19 pandemic and our statewide peacetime emergency continues, I hope you are staying safe and healthy. With Passover underway and Easter this Sunday, I know it’s hard to stay at home and be separated from friends and family members. Please know that the social distancing is working. The sacrifices we’re making and hardships we’re dealing with are saving lives, keeping our health care system from being overwhelmed, and giving us more time to prepare.
Minnesotans care about one another, and we help each other out in tough times. We will get through this.
Minnesota Legislature approves COVID-19 workers’ compensation for frontline responders
On Tuesday, the Legislature passed legislation delivering workers’ compensation benefits to health care and public safety workers who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty. In particular, the legislation provides a presumption that if these workers contract COVID, they did so during the course of their employment and are covered by workers’ compensation. Governor Walz signed the bill into law Tuesday night.
It’s easy to find the heroes in this pandemic. Our first responders and health care workers are putting themselves on the front line of this battle every day. They need to know we have their backs. We are pleased we were able to come to a consensus on this important issue.
In compliance with recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health, the vast majority of legislators voted remotely on the legislation.
The legislation can be found here, and a video recording of the House floor session can be found here.
Governor Walz extends Stay at Home Order
On Wednesday, Governor Walz announced an extension of his Stay at Home Executive Order, directing Minnesotans to limit movements outside of their homes until May 4, 2020.
Minnesotans have done a great job of social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, but we are not out of this crisis yet. Governor Walz and his team have done an excellent job following the data and making strong decisions to protect Minnesotans. This extended Stay at Home order is no different. I strongly encourage Minnesotans to stay home as much as you can, maintain social distancing, and wear a mask when in public.
The order also added landscapers, lawn care workers and some garden center employees to the categories of critical workers allowed to work during the peacetime emergency. The Department of Employment and Economic Development has updated the list of critical sectors and jobs. The full list can be found here and the changes are in blue.
You can find more information, including frequently asked questions here.
COVID-19 Modeling
The Minnesota Department of Health and University of Minnesota School of Public Health have released information on their COVID-19 Modeling. The model estimates, with some uncertainty, the number of daily COVID-19 cases, how many people are in the ICU, and how many people could die from COVID-19 in Minnesota. The model predicts approximately when the most people will get COVID-19 (the peak of the epidemic), how many people that will be, and when more people will need ICU care than the number of ICU beds that are available.
This is the model that Governor Walz and state officials have been using to make decisions about how to best prepare our health care system and keep Minnesotans healthy.
You can find slides, frequently asked questions, and more at https://mn.gov/covid19/data/modeling.jsp
Minnesota Department of Health awards COVID-19 emergency health care grants to about 350 organizations statewide
In March, the Legislature approved emergency funding for hospitals, clinics, and providers to prepare for and respond to a COVID-19 outbreak in Minnesota. I’m pleased to share that 346 organizations have now received $50 million in financial support.
These short-term emergency funding grants were awarded to assisted living facilities, health care clinics, health centers, hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, transportation services (ambulance services), and tribal health.
The full list of awards can be found here. More information can be found here.
Minnesota issues first $600 additional unemployment benefit payments
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced Wednesday that the agency received final guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor to be one of the first states to make $600 additional compensation payments to people receiving unemployment benefits. These payments were authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was signed into law on March 27, 2020.
All individuals who are currently receiving Minnesota unemployment benefits will qualify for the $600 additional compensation and will continue to receive their regular unemployment benefit.
More information can be found on DEED’s website. Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance website also has a helpful FAQ.
Minnesota Department of Human Services launches Discrimination Helpline
With increasing reports of discrimination directed toward our Asian-American community, Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights have set up a Discrimination Helpline. Minnesotans who experience or witness bias and discrimination can use this helpline to report incidents to the Department of Human Rights.
Every Minnesotan can call the Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or complete and submit an online form. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Xenophobia and racism targeting Asian Americans and Asian people have no place in our society and do nothing to help us slow the spread of COVID-19.
Domestic and sexual violence programs open during emergency
During the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic and sexual violence programs are continuing to support our most vulnerable community members. Studies have shown intimate partner violence increases during natural disasters. Please know that domestic violence programs and shelters are critical services and remain open. If you are experiencing abuse in your home, please reach out to someone you trust. Call the 24/7 crisis hotline at 1.866.223.1111 or text 612.399.9995. You are not alone. Help is available.
Programs are also in need of supplies. Please consider donating to your local program. Find your local program here: https://www.vfmn.org/find-a-program
COVID-19 Resources
State and Federal Resources
Our excellent House team has updated our list of COVID-19 state and federal resources — you can find the full document here. The document is frequently updated with new information and resources, so check back often!
The State of Minnesota also has a great COVID-19 webpage. MDH has a public hotline that you can call at 651-201-3920.
MDH has set up webpages in several languages. Please continue sharing these links to help keep Minnesotans informed.
As always, please contact me anytime with your input. I appreciate hearing from you! You can reach me at 651-296-4280 or rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn. You can also keep up with what’s happening at the Capitol by liking my legislative Facebook page and following the Minnesota House DFL on Twitter and Facebook. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hortman