Tag: Tim Walz

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 30, 2020

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March 30, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:00 PM on 3/30/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today announced Department of Administration Commissioner Alice Roberts-Davis will lead the Administration’s procurement operation for COVID-19, and direct the State’s efforts in procuring critical lifesaving care supplies. Commissioner Roberts-Davis will focus on managing inventories, securing needed supplies such as personal protective equipment and ventilators, and developing solutions to offset supply shortages for hospitals and emergency responders. Her strong background in procurement and public-private partnerships will serve Minnesota well in the weeks and months to come.

Governor Walz also thanked educators who started their first official day of distance learning today and reiterated that the Stay At Home order does not mean anyone should stay somewhere unsafe. There are places of sanctuary open for anyone facing abuse or violence. Minnesota’s statewide crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1.866.223.1111 or by text at 612.399.9995.

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

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March 29, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 4:20 PM on 3/29/2020.

Updates from the Governor

During challenging times, Minnesotans look out for one another. We’ve compiled a few ideas on how you can contribute to your community right now. Below, you can also find resources to help anyone struggling with health coverage, rent, unemployment, child care or a small business.

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Gov. TIm Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 28, 2020

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March 28, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 12:30 PM on 3/28/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today signed a comprehensive COVID-19 package allocating $330 million in aid for Minnesota’s response, which will help our state care for our most vulnerable in the face of an unprecedented crisis. The legislature passed the bill with broad bipartisan support on March 26.

“The swift, bipartisan passage of this bill is One Minnesota in action,” said Governor Walz. “Legislators put aside politics to fight the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of Minnesotans. We’re only in the early stages of Minnesota’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic – but this law will help ensure we have the right supports in place to prepare for what’s to come.”

HF 4531 includes the following actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, among many other policy proposals that will help Minnesotans: Continue reading “Gov. TIm Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 28, 2020”

Gov. Tim Walz COVID-19 Update: March 27, 2020

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March 27, 2020Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 3:30 PM on 3/27/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Minnesota’s two-week Stay at Home order takes effect tonight at 11:59. Below are shareable graphics that help explain what’s open and what’s closed, who is considered an essential worker, and activities that are and aren’t restricted. If you still have questions, head to Governor Walz’s new COVID-19 website for resources and answers to frequently asked questions.

To ensure critical information about COVID-19 is accessible to all Minnesotans, the Walz-Flanagan Administration partnered with TPT to provide closed captioning and translate PSAs into eight different languages (English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Russian, Amharic, Karen, and Oromo). You can access those videos here. In the PSAs, the Governor tells Minnesotans to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by staying home, describes the efforts the state is taking to protect Minnesotans, and directs them to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Website for more information. Continue reading “Gov. Tim Walz COVID-19 Update: March 27, 2020”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: March 26, 2020

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March 26, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:30 PM on 3/26/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Tim Walz today joined leaders from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Department of Employment and Economic Development, Department of Education, and the State Emergency Operations Center to answer questions from the press on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor shared details on his package of bipartisan COVID-19 proposals, which he worked on with the Legislature to ensure Minnesotans have the support and the right resources to combat the pandemic. The legislation:

  • Creates a Minnesota COVID-19 Emergency Fund to keep our state operating
  • Helps businesses across the state secure private funding
  • Awards grants to licensed family and center-based child care providers who care for the children of health care and other emergency workers
  • Ensures continued funding for food systems
  • And provides needed help to local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit partners protect people experiencing homelessness from exposure to the coronavirus and to mitigate additional spread of the disease.

The Governor also announced efforts coming out of his Children’s Cabinet to drive resources to child care providers, who are critical for our state’s emergency response. Today, six Minnesota Initiative Foundations launched an Emergency Child Care Grant Program to provide financial support to licensed child care providers in Greater Minnesota, serving families needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. They join Think Small, who stepped up last week to issue grants to family child care programs in the metro area serving families of emergency workers.

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Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: March 25, 2020

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March 25, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:00 PM on 3/25/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz announced a Stay At Home Executive Order directing Minnesotans to limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs from Friday, March 27 at 11:59pm to Friday, April 10 at 5:00pm. By limiting social interactions, we decrease the transmission of COVID-19 and help ensure our health care sector can prepare for increased demands.

“We must take bold action to save the lives of Minnesotans,” said Governor Walz. “Having served as a Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard, I know the importance of having a plan. While the virus will still be here when this order ends, this action will slow the spread of COVID-19 and give Minnesota time to ready for battle.”

Modeling released today by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and University of Minnesota predicts that more than 70,000 Minnesotans could die from COVID-19 if we take no action. The Governor’s two-week order to stay home is forecasted to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19 and allow the state to better prepare for the pandemic. These preparations include building hospital capacity, increasing access to life-saving equipment like ventilators, increasing testing, planning for how to care for vulnerable populations, and assessing public health data to determine which community mitigation strategies are most effective.

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Gov. Walz’s March 25 COVID-19 Update

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March 24, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:30 PM on 3/24/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz held a press call with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today to provide updates on COVID-19 and remind Minnesotans of some of the benefits and programs Minnesota is offering amid the pandemic:

MNsure – Last week, Governor Walz and MNsure announced a 30-day special enrollment period (SEP) for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance as a result of the growth of COVID-19 cases. The SEP opened on March 23 and runs through April 21. It will allow uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through MNsure.org.

Unemployment Insurance – We know the hardships and stress this pandemic is bringing to families and folks throughout the state. The Governor highlighted the state’s unemployment insurance program and described how it quickly serves employees who are unable to work as a result of COVID-19.

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Walz: Most will recover, but 40-80% of Minnesotans will get the coronavirus

Walz discussed at length the possibility of a stay-at-home order for Minnesota.

Gov. Tim Walz said Monday that millions of Minnesotans should expect to get the novel coronavirus before the pandemic is over, but also making the critically important note that the vast majority of those who get it will recover.

“Before we’re done with this, each and everyone of us will be touched by this, probably very personally,” said Walz, speaking from the governor’s mansion in self-quarantine after being exposed to a member of his security detail who has COVID-19.

“The numbers run pretty high that over the course of this that between 40 and 80 percent of Minnesotans will have become infected with COVID-19,” he said. “The vast majority will recover without hospitalization. Those that need it, we need to ensure they’re able to get it. This whole battle is about bending the curve, lengthening out the time of an infection rate.” Continue reading.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to self-quarantine after contact with confirmed case of COVID-19

A member of the governor’s security staff tested positive for the disease.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has gone into self-quarantine and is working from home after being exposed to someone with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The governor found out about his exposure Monday morning and has not left his home. Walz is not showing any symptoms of the disease but will follow the 14-day self-quarantine guidelines that health officials recommend after coming into contact with a known COVID-19 carrier.

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 23, 2020

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March 23, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 4:30 PM on 3/23/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today announced he will self-quarantine for 14 days after learning he had contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. The Governor was informed of the contact early this morning and has not left his home since.

“The most important thing Minnesotans can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home,” said Governor Walz. “I’m using this as an opportunity to lead by example. Though I’m feeling healthy and not showing any symptoms, I’m going to work from home and model the protocol we are asking all Minnesotans to follow.”

“Because our state must maintain essential services, not every Minnesotan is able to stay home,” continued Governor Walz. “Those of us who are able to work from home must do so out of respect to our health care professionals, first responders, pharmacists, grocers, child care providers, and all Minnesotans who are working to keep us safe during this crisis.”  Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 23, 2020”