Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 13, 2020

Dear Deb,

I wanted to provide a brief update on what Minnesota is doing in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. (COVID-19 is sometimes informally referred to as “coronavirus,” which is a term that encompasses a broader range of viruses).

Actions that all Minnesotans should implement immediately

Today, Governor Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency due to the global spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Governor, with Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm, announced community mitigation strategies they recommend that all Minnesotans implement immediately to combat the spread of COVID-19. Please implement and share these recommendations:

  • Implement social distancing, keeping 6 feet away from others under most circumstances, and washing hands frequently;
  • Encourage staff to telework when feasible;
  • Cancel or postpone large events in excess of 250 people gathered together;
  • Ensure space for social distancing of six feet per person at smaller events and gatherings (less than 250 people); and
  • Limit gatherings with participants at high risk for severe disease to less than 10 people.

There are additional recommendations, and more detail on these recommendations, available from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) here.

Governor and Health Commissioner are not recommending closure of K-12 Schools

The Governor and Commissioner of Health are not currently recommending closure of K-12 schools. They provided two reasons for this current determination: the first is that children appear to be exposed to less risk in their current school environment than they would be in a variety of alternate care settings, and the second is that our health care professionals are also often parents of school-aged children. To keep our health care delivery system fully staffed, it is important to keep children in school.  The Commissioner and Governor considered this issue very carefully and made this decision on the basis of the best public health data available, and by taking into account whether school closures in other jurisdictions were effective or ineffective at slowing the spread of COVID-19. The Governor and the Health Commissioner will continuously re-evaluate this decision with the most up-to-date public health information.

Emergency funding for COVID 19 preparedness passed Monday

On Monday, the House and Senate unanimously voted to approve $21 million in funding for the state’s public health response to COVID-19. The funds will be added to the existing $4.6 million in Minnesota’s public health response contingency account for a total of approximately $25 million to support disease investigation, monitor the outbreak, provide public information, coordinate statewide response activities, and conduct laboratory analysis.

Additional work we are doing to address the COVID 19 public health emergency

COVID-19 press photo

Earlier this week, legislators in the House introduced a number of bills to help address the challenges we’re facing, including:

  • Expanding the Governor’s authority to declare a peacetime emergency due to pandemic.
  • Establishing a revolving loan account for health care providers.
  • Expanding unemployment insurance and sick leave benefits during an outbreak.
  • Compensating hourly school workers for days canceled due to COVID-19.
  • Requiring health plans to cover testing, treatment, and quarantine without cost-sharing.
  • Banning price-gouging for goods and services during an emergency.

Along with community mitigation recommendations, Governor Walz unveiled a package of legislative proposals. Many of the proposals are similar to what the House introduced, but also include:

  • Additional COVID-19 emergency funding
  • Extending the tax filing deadline
  • Ratifying state contracts and compensation plans

As Speaker of the House, I remain in close communication with Governor Walz and Commissioner Malcolm. I’m also working closely with House Majority Leader Winkler, Senate Majority Leader Gazelka, House Minority Leader Daudt, and Senate Minority Leader Kent. The legislative leaders will continue to be in conversation through the weekend about the agenda for the session and how to conduct legislative proceedings in light of COVID-19. We are following the recommendations of our public health experts at the Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What you need to know about COVID-19

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how flu spreads, or when people touch surfaces that have been contaminated by an infected person, and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

In addition to the community mitigation steps above, MDH recommends that the most important thing Minnesotans can do right now to protect themselves, their families and their communities is to take everyday steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. Those include:

  • Staying home if you have cold or flu-like symptoms and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
  • Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your sleeve, and then throwing the tissue in the trash.
  • 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.

More information about coronavirus can be found on MDH’s Coronavirus website. MDH also has a public hotline that you can call at 651-201-3920.

MDH has also set up webpages in several languages. Please share 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