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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jennifer Schultz (DFL)

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Legislative Update – COVID 19 Information

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Our state has experienced many disruptions to our day-to-day lives rather quickly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a public health crisis presenting a variety of challenges many individuals, families, and businesses are suddenly forced to navigate through no fault of their own. I don’t know how long this situation will be in front of us, but state leaders are working diligently to stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure those who may become afflicted can receive care. The work to “flatten the curve” has included some extremely difficult decisions from Governor Walz.

Early Tuesday morning, lawmakers unanimously approved a $200 million package of investments in our public health response and to help ensure hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers are equipped to deliver the care Minnesotans depend on. Grants will be made available to providers for costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to an outbreak of COVID-19, temporary sites to provide testing services, treatment beds, or to isolate or quarantine affected individuals. Eligible providers include hospitals, ambulance services, clinics, pharmacies, nursing and assisted living facilities.

To ensure we’re meeting physical distancing guidelines, the Legislature is on a temporary recess and is on-call to return so we can consider legislation addressing COVID-19. While many of us are not at the Capitol, we continue our work to ensure Minnesotans can remain safe and healthy. Legislation has been introduced to continue certain services for people with disabilities, ban price gouging, protect compensation for hourly school district employees, provide resources for child care providers, a ban on co-pays or deductibles for COVID-19 testing, and a statewide moratorium on evictions. Our public health officials are also working around the clock on response plans and health care providers are preparing to care for Minnesotans who may be afflicted.

Governor Tim Walz has issued a series of executive orders to protect Minnesotans from COVID-19 and plan for a potential spread of the illness, starting with the declaration of a peacetime emergency. He declared all schools be closed statewide until March 27 to plan for a safe education environment for every student and educator, and has ordered the temporary closure of bars, restaurants, and most other gathering places. Many Minnesotans – workers and business owners alike – are experiencing a deep and sudden financial hardship as a result of these closures. To address these challenges, the Governor issued an executive order to provide for immediate payment of unemployment insurance benefits.

Here are some informational resources:

Questions about school and childcare:
Call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7am-7pm daily)
Visit www.education.mn.gov 
*Childcare providers with questions should call 1-888-234-1268 

Questions about health:
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7am-7pm daily)
Visit www.health.state.mn.us 

Questions for workers and employers:
651-259-7114 or 800-657-3858 
Visit https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/. To apply for Unemployment Insurance, visit http://www.uimn.org.

The Head of the Lakes United Way also can connect you with organizations in our community. Simply dial 2-1-1 or text “MNCOVID” to 898-211. The Governor’s office is frequently sharing updates, including testing statistics and health guidelines, and you can subscribe to these here.

I’m communicating closely with officials in the city of Duluth, which has a section of their website devoted to COVID-19 resources, which features a message from Mayor Larson. St. Louis County has information as well.

This is a challenging time, unlike anything many of us have experienced in our lifetimes. I’m encouraged by the dedication from our state’s health care professionals on the front lines working day and night to ensure we’re able to respond. Tackling this challenge will require all of us working together to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. Please wash your hands often and thoroughly, cover your cough with your sleeve, stay home when you’re sick, practice physical distancing, and avoid congregating with others.

If I can be of assistance in any way, please contact my office at rep.jennifer.schultz@house.mn or 651-296-2228. I also publish updates to my Facebook page here. I hope you and your family will remain safe and healthy in this uncertain time.

Sincerely,

Jen Schultz
State Representative