Tag: Gov. Walz

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 6:45 PM on 4/20/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz and Ecolab CEO Doug Baker highlighted how public-private partnerships are strengthening Minnesota’s response to COVID-19.

As the pandemic spreads across the globe, Minnesota’s health care professionals are competing with other states and countries for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other critical care supplies like ventilators. Governor Walz today shared updates on his Administration’s work to leverage public-private partnerships to ensure that when the COVID-19 surge hits Minnesota, the state has the PPE and medical supplies needed to save as many lives as possible. The Governor highlighted the productive partnerships underway across the state that are helping Minnesota source supplies around the world.

Minnesota companies, big and small, have offered support to get scarce medical supplies necessary to protect front line health care workers. Companies like CH Robinson, Toro, Patterson, Woodchuck USA, Wintergreen, 3M, and Mayo have all stepped up. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 20, 2020”

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April 19, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:00 PM on 4/19/2020.

Updates from the Governor

The Governor and Lt. Governor continue to encourage Minnesotans to create homemade masks for donation to support the workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire department. Fire departments will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 19, 2020”

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 7:30 PM on 4/18/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan today launched a week-long statewide homemade mask drive to encourage Minnesotans to create homemade masks for donation and highlight the importance of workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire department. Fire departments will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear.

“Those working in congregate living facilities are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Walz. “While homemade masks will not replace personal protective equipment, they go a long way in preventing the wearer from infecting others. I am asking Minnesota’s crafters, sewers, and creatives to step up and help out their community.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 18, 2020”

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April 17, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 7:30 PM on 4/17/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz announced the formation of a Community Resiliency and Recovery Work Group. The group will ensure that the needs of Minnesotans from communities that have historically been more likely to suffer financially and physically from public health crises will be centered in the state’s policy making, communications, and outreach. As part of this work, the Governor announced a new page on the COVID-19 website that displays how the pandemic is affecting people of color, Indigenous people, immigrants and refugees in Minnesota.

Outdoor Recreation

Also today, the Governor signed an executive order expanding allowable outdoor recreational activities, so Minnesotans can enjoy the outdoors close to home while following social distancing guidelines.

Executive Order 20-38 allows Minnesotans to engage in a range of activities, including boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, and golfing as long as they follow new outdoor recreation guidelines. These guidelines include: Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 17, 2020”

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April 16, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:00 PM on 4/16/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz joined the governors of Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky in announcing that they will work in close coordination to reopen the economy in the Midwest.

“Here in the Midwest, we are bound by our commitment to our people and the community. We recognize that our economies are all reliant on each other, and we must work together to safely reopen them so hardworking people can get back to work and businesses can get back on their feet,” the governors said.

Governor Walz’s number one priority has been, and will remain, the health and safety of Minnesotans. As we look to reopen Minnesota’s economy, we will make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor, and education. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 16, 2020”

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April 15, 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 4/15/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz signed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act to provide relief to Minnesotans struggling to afford their insulin. With the price of insulin tripling over the past 10 years, Governor Walz worked with insulin advocates to call attention to this urgent issue, keep up the pressure, and get this important bill passed through the legislature. The Governor was joined digitally by insulin advocates as he signed the bill.

“Minnesotans should not die because they are forced to choose between putting food on the table and affording the drug they need to survive,” said Governor Walz. “Despite resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, the grit and determination of Minnesotans with diabetes, Minnesotans who have lost loved ones with diabetes, and their legislators moved this bill forward. It is downright inspiring. This hard-fought law will provide much-needed relief to Minnesotans struggling to afford their insulin. We must continue to put Minnesotans first and ensure people don’t struggle to afford the care they need.”

Over the last 10 years, insulin manufacturers have tripled the price of insulin, and one in four diabetics report rationing the life-saving drug. In 2017, the Minnesota Department of Health estimated that 7.8%, or around 330,000, Minnesotan adults had been diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, with around 18,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 15, 2020”

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April 14, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 4:00 PM on 4/14/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz emphasized his support for a series of proposals moving through the legislature to help Minnesotans weather COVID-19. The proposals will ensure that Minnesotans will be able to use Medicaid and MinnesotaCare to receive care at temporary COVID-19 care sites; allow anyone who is uninsured to be eligible for medical assistance coverage; and clarify that telephone care is telemedicine, streamlining remote visits for Minnesotans.

Support for Dairy Farmers and Minnesotans

The Governor noted that his Administration is advocating for funding that will help fight hunger in Minnesota and support Minnesota’s agricultural community by purchasing milk from milk producers for hunger relief organizations. The proposal will support both Minnesota dairy farmers and Minnesotans facing food insecurity. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 14, 2020”