Tag: pandemic

Phillips, Problem Solvers Lead Break-Through Compromise to Deliver Needed Aid to American Families and Small Businesses


Rep. Phillips calls for more aid for firefighters, police, first responders and state and local governments ahead of a long winter

WASHINGTON, DC. – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) praised the passage of a bipartisan emergency relief package to help American families and small businesses struggling during the most devastating public health emergency in modern American history. 

Last week, Phillips and Problem Solvers Caucus (PSC) members from the House of Representatives joined a bipartisan group of Senators – including Mitt Romney (R-UT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) – to release a framework for the compromise passed today. This is the culmination of months of work, led by the PSC Co-Chairs, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Tom Reed (R-NY), along with Reps. Dean Phillips and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), who released a “March to Common Ground” framework in September and have pushed leaders from both parties to cast partisan politics aside and come together for the American people.

Continue reading “Phillips, Problem Solvers Lead Break-Through Compromise to Deliver Needed Aid to American Families and Small Businesses”

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.

D.C. Memo: Dean of the Problem Solvers

This week: House Republicans back a last-ditch election lawsuit; Omar softens her tone while Phillips toughens his.

Welcome to this week’s edition of the D.C. Memo. This week: House Republicans back a last-ditch election lawsuit; Omar softens her tone while Phillips toughens his. But first, a brief plea: MinnPost is a nonprofit news organization that relies on support from our readers for a big portion of our budget. If you value the D.C. Memo, or even if it’s just a hate-read for you, please consider becoming a member now.Alright, here we go!

Mitch, please

Senate Majority Mitch McConnell, about to become the most powerful Republican in Washington, acknowledged Joseph R. Biden’s win in the presidential election — more than a month after votes were cast. McConnell congratulated Biden Tuesday, a day after Electoral College voters cast their votes affirming the election results.

Late last week, before the Electoral College had certified the vote, Minnesota’s GOP delegation in the House of Representatives got behind a quixotic Texas lawsuit intended to upend the election. Reps. Jim Hagedorn and Peter Stauber joined Tom Emmer in backing an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit, which sought to invalidate 62 of Biden’s Electoral College votes in four swing states. In a prepared statement, Hagedorn, who represents the rural First District, said, “Election laws across several states were amended or suspended in the closing months of the 2020 election by acts of state officials and courts, not state legislatures.” He said the U.S. Supreme Court should consider the case “to ensure that all U.S. citizens are treated fairly and the election was conducted in accordance with state laws.” Alas, the measure, which was signed by a total of 126 House Republicans, was thrown out by the Supreme Court.

GOP signals no support for relief ‘down payment’

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Senate Democrats are justifying their support for a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill as a “down payment” on a larger relief bill they hope to pass next year.

The dilemma from their perspective is that Republicans are signaling they don’t want to pass another measure to stimulate the economy after President-elect Joe Biden takes office — and the GOP may continue to hold the Senate majority in January.

“I don’t see it that way,” said Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) when asked about the Democrats’ characterization of the emerging $900 billion deal as a down payment. Continue reading.

Rep. Laurie Pryor Update: December 19, 2020

Neighbors,

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Legislature passed – and Governor Walz signed – a bipartisan assistance package aimed at providing a lifeline to our state’s small businesses and working families until federal relief can arrive. The bill includes a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance and direct financial support for businesses.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue estimates 5,800 small businesses will receive $82-88 million beginning before the end of December. Another $114.5 million will be distributed to counties to provide grants to impacted businesses, and movie theaters and convention centers will receive $14 million. In the bill, Hennepin County would receive just over $25.2 million for small business grants. You can read my statementhere.

More information on what’s in the bill can be found here, and the specifics on eligible businesses, program requirements, and payment amounts here.

Updated Rules for Restaurants, Bars, Gyms, and Other Venues

On Wednesday, Governor Walz provided an update for bars, restaurants, gyms, and other venues which will start on December 19:

  • Bars, restaurants, and breweries: Will remain closed for indoor dining, but they may open for outdoor service at 50 percent capacity or up to 100 people.
  • Gyms and fitness studios: May open for individual exercise at 25 percent capacity, or 100 people maximum,.
  • Youth and adult sports: Practices can resume January 4.
  • Outdoor entertainment venues: Open at 25 percent capacity, up to 100 people maximum.
  • Social Gatherings: Minnesotans may gather inside with one other household up to 10 people. If outside, social gatherings may include up to two additional households (three total) with a maximum of 15 people. Masking and social distancing is strongly encouraged.

You can find information on these updates and more at StaySafe.MN. 

Virtual Town Hall

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to the SD 48 Virtual Town Hall Thursday night. As usual, it was a fast-paced event as we addressed many of your questions and concerns. If you were not able to participate, you can click on this link to watch the town hall.

Student workers now eligible for unemployment

The Minnesota Court of Appeals recently ruled that the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, under the federal CARES Act, does in fact apply to student workers and therefore unemployment benefits are now available for students whose employment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Payments are being made retroactively. Student workers are encouraged to apply at www.uimn.org before December 26. More information is available from Youthprise.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic (are not experiencing any symptoms). Wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lessen COVID-19 spread. 
  • Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
  • Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.
  • Stay six feet away from others.
  • 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.
  • Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.

Sincerely,

Laurie Pryor
State Representative

The inside story of how Trump’s denial, mismanagement and magical thinking led to the pandemic’s dark winter

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As the number of coronavirus cases ticked upward in mid-November — worse than the frightening days of spring and ahead of an expected surge after families congregated for Thanksgiving — four doctors on President Trump’s task force decided to stage an intervention.

After their warnings had gone largely unheeded for months in the dormant West Wing, Deborah Birx, Anthony S. Fauci, Stephen Hahn and Robert Redfield together sounded new alarms, cautioning of a dark winter to come without dramatic action to slow community spread.

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, among the many Trump aides who were infected with the virus this fall, was taken aback, according to three senior administration officials with knowledge of the discussions. He told the doctors he did not believe their troubling data assessment. And he accused them of outlining problems without prescribing solutions. 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.