Tag: COVID-19 vaccine

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: January 22, 2021

Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, House and Senate DFL Energy Leads Announce Plan to Achieve 100 Percent Clean Energy in Minnesota by 2040


On Thursday,  Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced a set of policy proposals that will lead Minnesota to 100 percent clean energy in the state’s electricity sector by 2040. The policies build on the success that Minnesota has already achieved in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the use of clean energy resources to power the state while ensuring reliable, affordable electricity.

“The time to fight climate change is now,” said Governor Walz. “Not only is clean energy the right and responsible choice for future generations, clean energy maximizes job creation and grows our economy, which is especially important as we work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud to announce a set of policy proposals that will lead Minnesota to 100% clean energy in the state’s electricity sector by 2040. Minnesotans have the ingenuity and innovation needed to power this future, and we are ready to pioneer the green energy economy.”

Photo courtesy of the Star Tribune 

As Governor Walz Calls for Further Supply from Federal Government, Minnesota Launches COVID-19 Vaccine Pilot Program

On Monday, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota has launched a COVID-19 vaccine pilot program in partnership with local public health and school districts. These sites will initially serve adults 65 years of age or older, as well as prekindergarten through grade 12 educators, school staff, and child care workers. The community vaccination pilot program will be the foundation for mass vaccination clinics in Minnesota communities once the federal government increases vaccine supply. The nine pilot sites launched this week with a small number of doses for eligible Minnesotans.

Governor Walz looks forward to partnering with the Biden administration on procuring more vaccines for Minnesotans. He sent a letter with other governors last week expressing frustration with the previous administration’s botched COVID-19 vaccine distribution and urged the federal government to purchase as many doses of the safe and effective vaccine as possible so states can get more shots in arms in the coming weeks. 

Governor Walz Visits Long-Term Care Center, Discusses Vaccination Effort

Today, Governor Walz visited a rehabilitation and skilled nursing care center to discuss the successful vaccination effort in long-term care settings. As of Thursday, more than 203,000 Minnesotans have gotten at least their first dose of
vaccine. Nearly 42,000 Minnesotans have received both doses. The most recent data reported to the State of Minnesota shows that 43,000 individuals in long-term care settings have received a shot via our pharmacy partners.

Governor Walz Appoints Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

Governor Walz today appointed Roslyn Robertson as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). Robertson’s extensive history of leadership at DLI most recently includes her service as Temporary Commissioner. This appointment follows an application review and interview process beginning with a call for applications last fall. Robertson replaces Nancy Leppink as Commissioner for a term beginning today.

Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Lives Lost to COVID-19

United States flag at half mast, seen from below with the sun behind

On Monday, Governor Walz directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19. Governor Walz encouraged all Minnesotans to light a candle in their window as a sign of remembrance and unity during these challenging times.

Governor Walz Urges Minnesotans to Download Minnesota’s COVID-19 Exposure Notification App

Now more than ever, we need your help to share the news about COVIDaware MN. As Minnesota opens up, make sure your friends & families understand their COVID-19 exposure risk. COVIDaware MN notifies you if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, and you can anonymously alert others if you test positive. 

Get the COVIDaware MN app from the App Store or Google Play Store. 

Vaccine reserve was exhausted when Trump administration vowed to release it, dashing hopes of expanded access

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States were anticipating a windfall after federal officials said they would stop holding back second doses. But the approach had already changed, and no stockpile exists.

When Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced this weekthat the federal government would begin releasing coronavirus vaccine doses that had been held in reserve for second shots, no such reserve existed, according to state and federal officials briefed on distribution plans. The Trump administration had already begun shipping out what was available, starting at the end of December, taking second doses for the two-dose regimen directly off the manufacturing line.

Now, health officials across the country who had anticipated their extremely limited vaccine supply as much as doubling beginning next week are confronting the reality that their allocations will remain largely flat, dashing hopes of dramatically expanding access for millions of elderly people and those with high-risk medical conditions. Health officials in some cities and states were informed in recent days about the reality of the situation, while others were still in the dark Friday.

Because both of the vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States are two-dose regimens, the Trump administration’s initial policy was to hold back second doses to protect against manufacturing disruptions. But that approach shifted in recent weeks, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. Continue reading.

Front-line essential workers and adults 75 and over should be next to get the coronavirus vaccine, a CDC advisory group says

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These include police and firefighters, teachers, day-care staff, grocery store workers and prison guards

NOTE: This complete article is provided free for all to read by The Washington Post.

Grocery store employees, teachers, emergency workers and other people on the front lines of America’s workforce should be next to get the coronavirusvaccine, along with adults ages 75 and older, a federal advisory panel said Sunday.

The recommendations, which came two days after regulators authorized a second coronavirus vaccine, will guide state authorities in deciding who should have priority to receive limited doses of shots made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. More than 2.8 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been distributed, and 556,208 of those shots were given as of 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The groups designated Sunday include about 49 million people, some of whom could begin getting shots early in the new year. The priorities represent a compromise between the desire to shield people most likely to catch and transmit the virus, because they cannot socially distance or work from home, and the effort to protect people who are most prone to serious complications and death. Continue reading.

Businesses see transformed landscape even after vaccines

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The coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath could transform the landscape for U.S. businesses. 

With a larger remote workforce, expanded delivery options and lingering health fears likely to last long after the pandemic is under control, business owners and entrepreneurs are asking tough questions and bracing for an uncertain future.

Businesses that pay richly for offices and storefronts in bustling downtowns are reconsidering whether high rents and tight crowds still make sense. A national wipeout of small businesses may leave plenty of vacated real estate for major companies to fill. And shortfalls in federal aid for struggling businesses could deepen the economic damage to be repaired when the pandemic subsides. Continue reading.

Health officials, social media scramble to fight vaccine misinformation

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Public health authorities and social media companies are scrambling to battle coronavirus misinformation as they try to ensure that enough Americans get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Health experts say at least 70 percent of the country needs to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity and completely crush the outbreak that has killed more than 300,000 Americans.

National polls show an increasing number of Americans are willing to get a coronavirus vaccine, but that some populations, particularly Black and Latino people, are reticent. Continue reading.

Here’s What People With Allergies Should Know About Covid Vaccines

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Four people so far have had allergic reactions after getting the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Experts say that shouldn’t deter most people from getting a jab.

Allergic reactions reported in two health workers who received a dose of Pfizer’s vaccine in Alaska this week have reignited concerns that people with a history of extreme immune flare-ups might not be good candidates for the newly cleared shots.

The two incidents follow another pair of cases in Britain. Three of the four were severe enough to qualify as anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction. But all four people appear to have recovered.

Health officials on both sides of the pond are vigilantly monitoring vaccinated people to see if more cases emerge. Last week, British drug regulators recommended against the use of Pfizer’s vaccine in people who have previously had anaphylactic reactions to food, medicines or vaccines. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: December 18, 2020

First COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments Arrive in Minnesota

On Monday, the first COVID-19 vaccine shipments arrived in Minnesota. Governor Walz visited the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center to greet the very first shipment’s arrival. On Tuesday, the Governor returned to the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center to applaud as the Minneapolis VA administered their first vaccine to nurse Thera Witte.

“This is an exciting day for Minnesota,” said Governor Tim Walz. “The first vaccines are here. They are safe, and they will be ready to go soon. The sun is coming up, Minnesota”

“With these first shipments, we will soon begin vaccinating thousands of health care workers and the most critically at-risk Minnesotans,” Governor Walz continued. “All Minnesotans will have the opportunity to receive the vaccine in time, but until then, we need to stay safe and keep up the fight.”

Photo is courtesy of the Star Tribune via AP Pool

Governor Walz Announces Next Steps on COVID-19 to Prioritize Getting Kids Back in School, Protect Hospital Capacity

As hospitals remain concerned about capacity, Governor Walz announced a plan to continue combatting community spread of COVID-19 while getting students back in the classroom and supporting Minnesotans’ quality of life. Following the announcement, the Governor signed into law a $216 million economic relief package to support small businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic.

“The sun is rising across Minnesota. Vaccines have arrived and the light at the end of the tunnel is much brighter today than it was at the beginning of this four-week dial back,” Governor Walz said. “There is strong evidence we are starting to turn a corner thanks to the hard work of Minnesotans over the last few weeks to keep each other safe. But we aren’t out of the woods yet. This way forward will help bridge the gap to vaccination by continuing to protect hospital capacity while prioritizing getting our kids back in the classroom and supporting Minnesotans’ quality of life.”

Kids being in school is an important public health priority. Schools play a critical role in the health, well-being, and education of Minnesota’s children. Based on Minnesota’s evolving understanding of the virus, young kids are believed to be less susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19. The state has also learned more about how to reduce the potential for spread in schools from success in other settings. Today the Governor updated the Safe Learning Plan so that starting on January 18, 2021, every elementary school across the state may choose to operate in an in-person learning model as long as they are able to implement additional mitigation strategies, which include providing and requiring staff to wear a face shield and mask and offering regular testing.

More information on these restrictions and the state response is available here.

Governor Walz Signs $216 Million Small Business Relief Package Into Law

On Wednesday, Governor Walz signed into law the bipartisan $216 million economic relief package that includes direct support for small businesses and a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits.

“Our small businesses have made enormous sacrifices to their own bottom lines for the good of our state. This is a critical lifeline for those businesses, and for the Minnesotans whose livelihoods depend on them,” said Governor Walz. “This bipartisan bill will provide direct, targeted aid to keep our small businesses afloat, support workers struggling to get by, and help families put food on the table while we work to get the virus under control.”

The bill includes $88 million in direct payments to restaurants, bars, and gyms; $14 million for convention centers and movie theaters; and $114.8 million for local economically significant businesses and organizations, including non-profits, that will be distributed by counties. 

Minnesota is Ready for COVID-19 Vaccine 

Last week, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota is ready to receive and distribute a vaccine effectively, safely, and equitably. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Walz has been committed to transparency and accountability, bringing Minnesotans along with him every step of the way as we learn how best to weather this storm. And the vaccine distribution plan distribution plan is no different.

The Governor outlined the three principles that will guide our distribution of the vaccine:

  • Immunize for impact: Maximize immediate health benefit, reduce death, and minimize the harm created by COVID-19 by starting with those most susceptible to serious complications and those who care for them.
  • Equitable distribution and access: Make sure no procedural or structural issues impact access to the vaccine among any particular group or population. And we want Minnesotans in every corner and every community to know they can trust the process, the safety, and the effectiveness of the vaccine.
  • Transparency: Share information as quickly as possible with Minnesotans.

The process for distributing the vaccine is complex and is led by the federal government. To get the vaccine to Minnesotans:

  • The federal government will: 
    • Regulate vaccine development and approve those that are safe and effective.
    • Work with vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer and Moderna to procure vaccines.
    • Tell states how much vaccine they get and when.
    • Convene a committee of experts that helps prioritize who gets the vaccine in each phase.
    • Ship the vaccine to Minnesota.
  • The State of Minnesota will:
    • Work with hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, tribal health, and local public health to get the vaccine out to Minnesotans.

More information on the state’s vaccine distribution plan is available here.

Walz-Flanagan Administration Announce Nearly $200 Million to Increase Access to Affordable Housing Across Minnesota

Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Leimaile Ho announced in an online presentation today that the Minnesota Housing board of directors approved staff recommendations of $195 million to create and preserve 2,387 homes throughout the state, including rental units and single-family homes.

“Every Minnesotan deserves access to affordable housing,” said Governor Walz. “That has never been clearer than this year as we seek stable places to live, raise families, and shelter from the virus. We must increase affordable housing options for Minnesotans across the state, and today’s announcement is a critical step toward making that a reality.”

“Minnesota Housing’s 2020 selections and advancements chart the future of the state’s housing investments with equity at the center,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “Housing is health. It’s the foundation for success, a safe place to be, and a springboard for opportunity. Every Minnesotan deserves housing that is affordable and fits their needs.”

Full details on all of the selected and advancing developments, including maps and videos, are available online at www.mnhousing.gov/sites/np/2020selections.

Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Lives Lost to COVID-19

United States flag at half mast, seen from below with the sun behind

Governor Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, December 19. He has directed flags to fly at half-staff on the 19th of every month through 2020 to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19.

Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are also encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Minnesotans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and their families.

Biden to receive first dose of coronavirus vaccine on Monday

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President-elect Joe Biden and incoming first lady Jill Biden will receive their first doses of the coronavirus vaccine publicly on Monday, according to his transition team.

Incoming White House press secretary Jen Psaki briefed reporters on the news in a call Friday. The development comes as other high-ranking government officials, including Vice President Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) received the vaccine on Friday.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be getting her vaccine the week after Biden gets it, the transition team said, with medical experts advising that they stagger the first doses.  Continue reading.

Vice President Pence receives COVID-19 vaccine live on television

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Vice President Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams received Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine live on television Friday.

Why it matters: The vice president is the highest-ranking U.S. official to be vaccinated — a move intended to boost public confidence about the vaccine’s safety. He must still receive the second dose of the vaccine in order for it to be fully effective.

What they’re saying: “Karen and I wanted to step forward and take this vaccine to assure the American people that while we cut red tape, we cut no corners,” Pence said in a speech following his vaccination. “I didn’t feel a thing,” he added. Continue reading.