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Dear Neighbors,
Governor Walz today has ordered K-12 public schools to close to students by Wednesday, March 18-Friday, March 27 for school administrators and teachers to make long-term plans for the continuity of education and essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a break for planning purposes on how distance learning opportunities might be delivered in the case of an extended closure, how students special education needs can be met, how to support students who are experiencing homelessness, and a number of other public-school service provisions. You can find the Governor’s executive order here. One key provision within the Order provides for the continuity of mental health services and requires schools to continue meal service for students in need. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has already begun to issue waivers to enable our Minnesota schools to serve meals in non-congregate settings and at alternate sites.
Closing schools is never an easy decision, but we need to make sure we have plans in place to educate and feed our children regardless of what’s to come. The Department of Education has received a waiver from the USDA allowing greater flexibility in providing food services to students during any closure so that they can avoid students congregating in large groups while that is discouraged. MPS is working out how to deliver food services in our district.
The economic impact of this pandemic, and any extended school closure, will fall inequitably across our community with lower income families taking a heavier hit. I’ve introduced legislation in the Minnesota House of Representatives to ensure hourly school workers are compensated for days canceled due to COVID-19, and the House is working to enact this quickly. Representative Noor has crafted a bill expanding access to unemployment benefits for private sector workers laid off or quarantined. The House DFL is working on a package of bills to respond to this public health crisis. Legislative activity for the immediate future will be both truncated and narrowly focused on the states COVID-19 response and other high priority measures only.
MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL CLOSURE
Minneapolis Public Schools will be open for school tomorrow, to help staff and families prepare, and be CLOSED starting Tuesday, March 17. At this time, classes are scheduled to resume April 6.
Multilingual State Resources
MDH is making information about the coronavirus available in multiple non-English languages. A full list of available languages and links to download materials are available below. Please feel free to pass these along to people and organizations who might find it useful.
COVID-19 in Amharic (PDF)
COVID-19 in Arabic (PDF)
COVID-19 in Chinese (PDF)
COVID-19 in Hmong (PDF)
COVID-19 in Karen (PDF)
COVID-19 in Russian (PDF)
COVID-19 in Somali (PDF)
COVID-19 in Spanish (PDF)
COVID-19 in Vietnamese (PDF)
MDH Public Hotline-Hours Extended
MDH has extended their public hotline hours of operation to 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. daily. The number is 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903. You can also visit health.state.mn.us for up-to-date and accurate information.
These are difficult times, but I’m confident we can get through it together. As one neighbor commented “This pandemic will require shared sacrifice and atypical & creative responses from across all sectors of the state. Minnesota has a strong communitarian ethic unlike many other states. We can do this!” I agree.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime with questions.
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
State Representative
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