Tag: Gov. Walz

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: May 5, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:30 PM on 5/4/2020.

Today, Governor Tim Walz and the State of Minnesota’s Chief Financial Officer Myron Frans announced a projected $2.4 billion deficit through 2021. Governor Walz released the following response:

“Today’s budget outlook confirms what we suspected: COVID-19 will badly damage Minnesota’s economy.”

“As I said during my State of the State address, there is a long winter ahead. COVID-19 is upending life as we know it—and our economy will not be spared.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: May 5, 2020”

82% Approve of Governor Walz’s Handling of COVID-19

Just 34% approve of President Trump’s

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — According to polling released last night from KSTP, Minnesotans overwhelmingly support Governor Walz’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to KSTP’s polling, 82% Minnesotans approve of Governor Walz’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas just 14% disapprove. The opposite is true of President Trump – only 34% of Minnesotans approve of his handling of COVID-19, whereas 59% disapprove.

Despite the popularity of Governor Walz’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota House Republicans are still threatening to block a job-creating bonding bill unless Minnesota’s emergency declaration and Stay at Home Order are lifted. Those threats took another blow this week when Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka declined to join the House Republican efforts to block crucial investments in Minnesota’s infrastructure.

While Minnesota Republicans continue to play politics, squabble among themselves, and spread conspiracy theories, Governor Walz is leading a strong, thoughtful, and evidence-based response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Minnesotans are taking notice.

In Case You Missed It:

KSTP/SURVEYUSA: Big difference in Walz, Trump approval ratings on virus response

In our exclusive KSTP/SurveyUSA poll of 500 Minnesotans, 82 percent either “strongly” or “somewhat” approve of how Walz has responded to the coronavirus, while 14 percent either “somewhat” or “strongly” disapprove and five percent are not sure…

[…]

“The drumbeat of negative coverage of Trump might explain, at least in part, his 34 percent coronavirus response approval rating in Minnesota. Another 59 percent disapprove and seven percent are not sure…

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: May 4, 2020

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May 4, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:30 PM on 5/4/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz discussed how his administration is engaging with Minnesotans across industries, organizations, and communities to safely get Minnesotans back to work. He remains committed to addressing this pandemic as One Minnesota – together as a state. Through virtual and in-person meetings, letters, emails, and survey responses, the Walz-Flanagan Administration is receiving feedback from leaders in every corner of the state. To learn more about our strategy, and the work we’re doing together, explore our engagement page on the COVID-19 website.

From May 4-8, we are celebrating family child care provider week. In his remarks today, Governor Walz highlighted the thousands of family child care providers stepping up to care for and nurture the children of emergency workers. Child care has remained open during this pandemic, and providers are making every effort to meet public health needs and keep kids and families safe during COVID-19.

Governor Walz also signed an order that will exempt federal, tribal, state, and local COVID-19 relief funds from being automatically intercepted by creditors and debt collectors. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: May 4, 2020”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: May 3, 2020

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May 3, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 7:00 PM on 5/3/2020.

Updates from the Governor

As the state continues to combat COVID-19, the Governor and public health officials encourage Minnesotans to stay home if they can, wear cloth masks in public, and maintain social distance to prevent spreading the virus to their neighbors and loved ones. As Minnesotans face this unprecedented challenge, there are resources available for support.

Safety at Home: Stay At Home should never mean you stay somewhere unsafe. There are places of sanctuary open for anyone facing abuse or violence. Please call Minnesota’s statewide crisis hotline – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – at 1.866.223.1111 or text 612.399.9995.

Unemployment Support: Minnesota is one of the first states in the nation to implement both the $600 per week additional compensation and the 13 week extension of benefits available under the CARES Act. Find these and answers to other unemployment questions here.

Mental Health: If you’re worried about a loved one, or if you want someone to talk to, know you can reach out. We have a website with mental health resources. You’re not alone in this challenge.

Child Care: We understand that the COVID-19 has disrupted child care plans for many families. The child care landscape has been greatly impacted by this pandemic. Find resources and information for child care providers and families here.

Housing: We created this webpage to provide a centralized location for all Minnesota Housing updates and information related to COVID-19.

Emergency food support: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many Minnesota families face difficult times. It may be hard to pay bills and find food to stay healthy. If you or someone you know has been laid off from work or seen work hours cut, help may be available. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help you buy food while budgets are tight.

You can find links to these resources and additional help for employers and employees, volunteer opportunities, and information about donating personal protective equipment our COVID-19 website.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
  • 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.
  • Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset and three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine (whichever is longer), and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Up-to-date guidance from the Department of Health on recommended community mitigation strategies can be found here.

Resources

Coverage

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: May 2, 2020

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May 2, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 6:45 PM on 5/2/2020.

Updates from the Governor

This past week, Governor Walz extended the Stay Home Order until Monday, May 18. In the time that Minnesotans have bought us by staying home, we have made progress.

  • We announced a landmark testing strategy that will allow us to test every symptomatic Minnesotan.
  • We have built hospital capacity and finalized a lease on an alternate care site to make sure that all Minnesotans who need care can receive it.
  • We are working to acquire more personal protective equipment to protect our frontline workers.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: May 2, 2020”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: May 1, 2020

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May 1, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 6:45 PM on 5/1/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Access to COVID-19 testing is critical to moving Minnesota forward during this pandemic. Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm today shared that caregivers in Minnesota conducted 4,124 COVID-19 tests yesterday – a daily record for our state.

Also today, Governor Walz signed an executive order permitting food trucks to operate at up to six highway rest stops in Minnesota. As many restaurants across the United States have closed, restrictions pertaining to commercial activities at highway rest areas have restricted fresh food options for truck drivers operating in Minnesota. This action will provide an additional option for truck drivers, who play a critical role in supporting the supply chain and depend on eating their meals on the road.

In case you missed it, retail stores can begin curbside pick-up beginning Monday. Minnesota has led the nation in our response to COVID-19. If we continue to take careful steps to keep each other safe, we can slowly turn the dials and get Minnesotans back to work. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: May 1, 2020”

Minnesotans to get two more weeks of stay-at-home, but with new flexibility

A statewide stay-at-home order will remain in place for at least another two weeks in Minnesota, as health officials try to thread the needle between protecting the public from COVID-19 and allowing businesses to resume.

Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday announced the extension until May 18 of the stay-at-home order, which otherwise expired Monday, but with new flexibility allowing retailers to reopen with curbside pickup or delivery for customers.

The decision will put 30,000 Minnesotans in retail businesses back to work, and the governor said he was open to further efforts to dial back restrictions as long as it doesn’t result in flare-ups like the outbreak among JBS pork plant workers in Worthington that exploded in one week. Continue reading.

Minnesotans to get two more weeks of stay-at-home, but with new flexibility

State seeks to thread needle between protecting public from COVID-19, and keeping businesses and economy going.

A statewide stay-at-home order will remain in place for at least another two weeks in Minnesota, as state health officials try to thread the needle between protecting the public from the COVID-19 pandemic and allowing businesses and the economy to resume.

Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday announced the extension until May 18 of the current stay-at-home order, which otherwise expired Monday, but with new flexibility allowing some retailers to reopen with curbside pickup or delivery for customers.

This move will put 30,000 Minnesotans in retail businesses back to work, and the governor said he was open to further efforts to dial back restrictions as long as it doesn’t result in flare-ups like the outbreak among JBS pork plant workers in Worthington that exploded in only one week. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 30, 2020

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April 30, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:00 PM on 4/30/2020.

Updates from the Governor

As the state continues to make progress in preparing for the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tim Walz today extended the Stay Home Order until Monday, May 18. In an effort to get more Minnesotans back safely to work while the order remains in effect, the Governor announced that retail businesses and other non-critical businesses will resume operations with curbside pick-up.

“From building out critical hospital capacity to launching a landmark testing strategy, Minnesota has made meaningful progress in preparing for the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Walz said. “Minnesotans have made this possible by staying home and holding down the rate of infection. But now is not the time for sudden movements. There’s more work to be done, and we need to keep this virus at a simmer, not a boil. Our action today prioritizes the safety of Minnesotans while taking cautious, strategic steps toward getting people safely back to work.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 30, 2020”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 29, 2020

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April 29, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 3:30 PM on 4/29/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz announced his Administration finalized a lease agreement for an alternate care site in Roseville to increase hospital capacity and ensure all patients who need care will be able to get it. The Governor will continue to plan ahead to ensure Minnesota is prepared to weather this pandemic and any challenges it brings.

“Minnesotans deserve as much peace of mind as we can give them during this pandemic, and signing this lease is another way we’ve made good use of the time Minnesotans have bought us by staying home and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Walz. “By setting up this alternate care site in Roseville, our team is making sure that—should it ever be needed—our hospitals have the capacity they need to treat all patients who need care.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 29, 2020”