Tag: Tim Walz

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 17, 2020

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April 17, 2020

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”

Coronavirus: Minnesota joins pact with 6 Midwest states on reopening economy

It includes Wisconsin and Illinois.

Minnesota is joining a regional pact with five other Midwestern states that will coordinate on reopening their respective economies amid the coronavirus outbreak.

It was announced on Thursday that Gov. Tim Walz has agreed to join the pact along with governors Gretchen Whitmer (D-Michigan), Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), Tony Evers (D-Wisconsin), JB Pritzker (D-Illinois), Eric Holcomb (R-Indiana), and Andy Beshear (D-Kentucky).

All seven of these states have some form of Stay at Home order in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Three of Minnesota’s other neighbors, the Dakotas and Iowa, do not.  Continue reading.

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 16, 2020

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April 16, 2020

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”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 15, 2020

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April 15, 2020

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”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 14, 2020

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April 14, 2020

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”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 10, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 6:00 PM on 4/10/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Like many Minnesotans, Governor Walz will observe the holidays with his family this weekend. Our thoughts are with Minnesotans across faith communities who would typically be spending upcoming religious holidays with extended family and friends. We ask Minnesotans to remember that as hard as social distancing is during this season, it’s still important and will help ensure our neighbors and loved ones stay safe.

Grocery stores and food co-ops are still open for business and helping to feed our families. Please help us all stay safe and practice social distancing by remembering to shop one person at a time when possible. Stay Home guidelines still apply during the holidays – visit our new COVID-19 website for FAQs, resources, data, and tips on how to protect yourself.

Today, scientists from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health provided a press briefing on the Minnesota modeling developed to help inform the state’s policy and response. An interdisciplinary team at the University of Minnesota has been working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to use available evidence on COVID-19 to estimate the trajectory of the disease in Minnesota. You can read more about the model and watch the MDH briefing on it here: mn.gov/covid19/data/modeling.jsp. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 10, 2020”

Here’s why Minnesota extended the Stay at Home order

The Minnesota model is estimating at least 6,000 deaths over a 12-month period.

Minnesota’s stay-at-home order has been extended until May 4, with Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm supporting the extension by revealing some of the key findings of a state-specific coronavirus model.

Malcolm said that Minnesota has flattened the curve, at least temporarily, with the number of confirmed cases now doubling approximately every eight days, which is a significantly slower pace than before the original Stay at Home order went into effect March 27.

“It can all go sideways very quickly if we don’t continue,” Gov. Walz said, urging Minnesotans to hang tough and continue to focus on staying home outside of leaving for essential needs or to go outside for fresh air while always practicing social distancing. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 10, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 3:00 PM on 4/9/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced that he is extending the Stay Home Executive Order until May 4. The Governor reminded Minnesotans how important it is to stay home, because decisions we all make now will have life or death impacts for our neighbors and loved ones down the road.

We know this isn’t easy on Minnesota businesses, large and small. We have a number of different loans and grants available to businesses that are struggling, and we encourage all employers to contact the Department of Employment and Economic Development to see what programs and resources are available. We want to continue to find ways to help Minnesota businesses and taxpayers as much as possible during these uncertain times. Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 10, 2020”

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 9, 2020

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April 8, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 3:00 PM on 4/8/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today extended the Stay Home Order until May 4 in order to continue Minnesota’s success in slowing the spread of COVID-19 across the state.

“What we are doing is working, Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “We are taking this seriously, and we are staying home. While Minnesota is showing lower rates of infections than our peers across the country, now is not the time to let up or allow that trajectory to change.”

The Governor’s order to stay home is forecasted to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19, pushing out the peak of the disease and allowing the state to continue key preparations for the pandemic. These preparations include building new hospital capacity and buying ventilators and masks, planning for how to protect those most at risk, expanding testing, and freeing up time for health care giants like the Mayo Clinic to develop critical treatments for the virus. The Stay Home Order is now extended to 11:59 pm on May 3, 2020. Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 9, 2020”

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 7, 2020

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April 7, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 9:00 PM on 4/7/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Tim Walz today announced that CUB Foods and its parent company United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), in partnership with the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, has set up an ordering process specifically for child care providers.

Grocers are working tirelessly to meet the needs of Minnesotans – and they’re going the extra mile for our child care providers and emergency workers,” said Governor Walz. “Partnerships like this are critical to keep our communities healthy and safe. I’m grateful to CUB for stepping up in this time of crisis.”

CUB, based in Stillwater, Minnesota, has an extensive statewide supply chain network, including Kemps, that will allow child care providers serving children of emergency workers to secure needed products at convenient, flexible hours and locations. Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 7, 2020”