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Dear Neighbors,
A breakthrough in testing for COVID-19 has been reached as a result of ongoing collaboration between the Legislature, Governor Walz, the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Hennepin Healthcare, and Minnesota’s health plans. You can watch a replay of the announcement here.
Soon, every Minnesotan with symptoms of COVID-19 will be able to get tested. Thanks to funding provided by the Legislature and the hard work of scientists and public health experts, we will establish capacity to deliver 20,000 molecular and 15,000 serology tests per day. This is a major milestone in our ongoing work to re-open Minnesota’s economy in a way that keeps people safe, prevents loss of life, and uses science to guide decision making.
The Health and Human Services held a public hearing yesterday to receive an overview of Minnesota’s new testing strategy. Click here to watch a replay of the hearing and learn more about what this could mean for you, your family, and your business.
Up to 100,000 Minnesotans going back to work Monday
Minnesota is allowing certain non-critical businesses to re-open if they follow public health guidelines to keep workers safe. Developed in partnerships with hundreds of businesses, labor and worker organizations, and public health experts, this action will allow 80,000-100,000 Minnesotans to return to work in industrial, manufacturing, and office settings on Monday, April 27.
Prior to loosening restrictions for a given setting, businesses must:
- Create, share, and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan that sets out the actions they are taking to ensure social distancing, worker hygiene, and facility cleaning and disinfection necessary to keep workers safe
- Engage in health screening of employees and ensure that sick employees stay home
- Continue to work from home whenever possible
Visit www.mn.gov/deed/safework to learn more.
Distance Learning to continue through end of school year
To protect the safety of students, teachers, and staff, Minnesota is extending distance learning for the remainder of the school year. Continuing distance learning is the right decision, but it makes our work to address Minnesota’s racial disparities in education even more pressing.
All Minnesota children deserve a great education — whether that’s in the classroom or in the distance learning reality we find ourselves in now. We will continue to monitor how this is affecting our students and how we can bridge the opportunity gap to ensure every student has the chance to succeed.
The House is also working on legislation to make sure our hourly school employees receive compensation during this difficult time. My colleagues and I are advancing legislation to do this and we are committed to providing economic security for this vital part of our workforce.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge the painful reality that Minnesota’s graduating high school seniors won’t be able to celebrate this major life milestone in a way all of us have been able to do. As Gov. Walz said when announcing the decision, this year’s high school seniors won’t be defined by not being able to participate in the usual festivities. They will be recognized for making unique sacrifices to protect Minnesotans’ health and save lives.
Committee work continues remotely
As a member of the Jobs Committee, I proudly voted yesterday to provide an additional $55 million for a small business emergency loans program created by the Legislature in March. The bill advanced by the committee calls for loans that may be forgiven if the business continues to operate and gives special attention to vendors at ethnic malls, like Hmongtown, who may not have been able to seek assistance, as well as the well-connected franchisees who were able to take advantage of the paycheck protection funds.
I’m also continuing to work on issues around the environment to ensure we are doing everything possible to protect clean air, water, and land during this unprecedented public health crisis. As the Vice Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division, I participated in a hearing about our Environmental Trust Fund bill, which includes a provision to provide for research on the possible transmission of the virus through wastewater. Yesterday, I’m participating in a hearing to discuss a comprehensive natural resources bill.
Contact me
I will provide new information about Minnesota’s COVID-19 response as it becomes available. Please contact my office if you are having trouble finding answers to your questions or receiving the help you need. My email is rep.anne.claflin@house.mn and you can reach me by phone at 651-296-4342. I will respond to your messages as soon as possible.
Thank you for all you and your family are doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is an extremely difficult time for everyone, and we will get through it by caring for each other.
Sincerely,
Anne Claflin
State Representative
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