Tag: Minnesota

Minnesota’s mask mandate challenged last weekend

State health officials appealed for more wearing of masks and social distancing Monday after receiving more than 80 complaints of noncompliance last weekend and a few reports of defiance of Minnesota’s new mask mandate.

While surveys show broad support for wearing masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19, state Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said Minnesotans need to comply as much as possible to prevent the exponential rise in cases happening in other states.

“We certainly don’t want Minnesota to experience the same catastrophic results of that very, very fast growth that we have seen in Florida, Texas and other states,” she said. “We as citizens have a great deal of influence over whether that happens.” Continue reading.

Gov. Tim Walz mandates face masks indoors across Minnesota

The new rules take effect Saturday and apply to most indoor spaces outside people’s homes, as well as some outdoor venues where social distancing is difficult.

Gov. Tim Walz announced a statewide mandate Wednesday requiring Minnesotans to wear face masks in stores and indoor gathering places in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent a second surge of hospitalizations and deaths.

When the new rule takes effect Saturday, Minnesota will join roughly 30 states that have imposed similar mask-wearing requirements in the absence of any federal act and despite sharply polarized political views.

“If we can get a 90 to 95% compliance, which we’ve seen the science shows, we can reduce the infection rates dramatically, which slows that spread and breaks that chain,” Walz said. “This is the way, the cheapest, the most effective way for us to open up our businesses, for us to get our kids back in school, for us to keep our grandparents healthy and for us to get back that life that we all miss so much.” Continue reading.

Deaths in Minnesota long-term care drop tenfold

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm also cautioned that the virus still presents challenges.

The deaths in long-term care facilities that fueled the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota have dropped tenfold since the state launched an aggressive testing and staffing plan to protect workers and residents.

Gov. Tim Walz and state health officials acknowledged shortcomings in their initial response to COVID-19 outbreaks in these vulnerable facilities — which were exacerbated by a lack of federal emergency support and supplies — but said on Tuesday that the state has learned from those early experiences about how to protect them.

At a peak of the pandemic in mid-May, 23 facilities were reporting new outbreaks every day of at least one case of the infectious disease. Now, that rate is 6 per day. The state lost 137 long-term care residents to COVID-19 deaths in the third week of May, compared with 13 last week. Continue reading.

Minnesota Mask Mandate Effect July 25

Today, Gov. Walz announced a state-wide mandate for face coverings that goes into effect in all public indoor spaces and businesses unless you’re there alone. Workers outside who can’t social distance must also wear a face covering.

Here’s a link to the complete post.

Model forecasts low Minnesota COVID-19 spread in the fall

Outbreaks linked to seven, possibly eight, bars fuel concerns of COVID-19 spreading to young adults, and then to older more vulnerable adults.

Minnesota is on a trajectory for one of the lowest spreads of the COVID-19 virus of any state come November, according to a new national modeling estimate, and could save nearly 200 lives by that time through universal mask usage.

The updated forecast this week by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in Seattle is based on the relative progress in Minnesota compared to others in its current rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Growth has ebbed over the past month in Minnesota both in COVID-19 deaths and in lab-confirmed infections with the novel coronavirus that causes the respiratory disease. Continue reading.

COVID-19: Keeping Minnesotans Safe

From the June 12, 2020 DFL Dispatch:

Following the advice of public health experts, senior advocates, labor leaders, doctors, hospital associations, and long-term care providers, Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-75, extending the COVID-19 peacetime emergency that gives the state flexibility in responding to the ever-changing and diverse needs of Minnesotans during the evolving pandemic.

The peacetime emergency continues to allow the state to take swift action as necessary to protect the health and well-being of our communities, businesses, and families. From protections against evictions and wage garnishment to providing expedited procurement power for PPE and protections for workers from unsafe conditions – the peacetime emergency allows the State to open our toolbox to ensure critical relief and resources for all Minnesotans during this ongoing pandemic. Continue reading “COVID-19: Keeping Minnesotans Safe”

Twin Cities law enforcement briefed on possible Obama, Pence visits this week

The Secret Service is briefing local law enforcement about possible visits to the Twin Cities this week by former President Barack Obama and Vice President Mike Pence, FOX 9 has learned.

Obama would be attending Thursday’s memorial for George Floyd.

Pence would be visiting Friday. Continue reading.

Rep. Dean Phillips: Our Legacy-Making Moment

Neighbors,

The Twin Cities raised me. This community provided me opportunity, loved me, and I love it back.

It has been over a week since George Floyd was killed at the knee of an MPD officer; over a week of unimaginable grief for those close to him, for our community, and for our country. He is remembered by friends and family as a man with a quiet personality and a beautiful spirit. Someone who found joy in making people smile and helping anyone in need. George moved to Minnesota to start a new life. He was a father, a friend, and a beloved member of his community in Minneapolis — a community he should still be sharing his life with today. Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips: Our Legacy-Making Moment”

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison to take over case in Floyd killing

In an unusual legal maneuver, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will take the lead in the prosecution of the fired Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died last week in police custody.

Gov. Tim Walz said Sunday that he concluded Ellison needed to take over the case from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office at the urging of Floyd’s family, community activists, and some members of the Minneapolis City Council seeking a vigorous prosecution of the officer, 44-year-old Derek Chauvin.

“This decision is one that I feel takes us in that direction and the step to start getting the justice for George Floyd,” Walz said Sunday. “When I spoke to the Floyd family they were very clear: They wanted the system to work for them. They wanted to believe that there was trust and they wanted to feel like the facts would be heard and justice would be served.” Continue reading.

Minneapolis officer charged with murder

The Hill logoA former Minneapolis police officer involved in the death of George Floyd has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, the Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman announced Friday afternoon.

“[Derek] Chauvin has been charged by the Hennepin County attorney office with murder and with manslaughter,” Freeman said during a press conference. “He has been charged with third-degree murder.”

Minnesota is one of only three states in the country to have a third-degree murder charge, the others being Florida and Pennsylvania. Also known as depraved-heart murder, a third-degree murder charge is used when someone causes the death of someone without the intent to kill, but with an action that is dangerous and disregards human life. Continue reading.