Dear Neighbors,
Here is another quick update. Minnesota has been successful in flattening the curve, but we aren’t out of the woods quite yet and we have to be persistent in continuing to distance ourselves.
Governor Walz Executive Order Updates
Governor Walz has extended the stay at home order until May 4th. This will provide Minnesota with more time to build hospital bed capacity, acquire additional ventilators and PPE, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as we anticipate a surge in cases requiring hospitalization in the coming weeks. Minnesota has flattened the curve of the COVID-19 spread more than any other state because of the diligence and sacrifice of all Minnesotans, and our frontline workers.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has officially processed the federal funds needed to distribute an additional $600 per week on top of base unemployment benefits for those who qualify. We are one of the first states to do so, and folks should expect to see these payments within the next week. The $600 will likely be deposited 2-3 days after your UI payment as a separate item in your bank accounts, and it will likely not show up on the unemployment website as part of your expected UI payment. The $600 weekly additional payments will be back paid to the week of March 29th. If you have further questions about this process, please reach out to my office and I will do what I can to help you through it.
Governor Walz also instructed his commissioners to begin working on a short-term plan to re-open some sectors of business in the near future that can be performed with proper social distancing, such as landscaping and lawn services.
We continue to learn more about the spread of COVID-19, and the transmissibility of asymptomatic carriers of this disease. We have learned now that, whereas preliminary models indicated that one person with the disease is projected to infect 2 people, we now believe that one person with the disease is projected to infect 4 people. This means that it is critical we all continue to abide by the social distancing and stay at home guidelines
The days ahead are going to be challenging, but as a result of the spirit and compassion of Minnesotans, and the dedication of our first responders and healthcare workers, we have slowed the spread of this virus, and, with continued effort, we will avert the worst case scenario. As always, I am keeping everyone in our community and in our state in my thoughts and prayers. We are going to get through this.
Keep In Touch
This is a difficult time for our country and our state. Please know that I am here to serve you every step of the way
Please contact me anytime with questions, input, or ideas. You can reach me at my facebook page, by phone at 651-296-4212, or by email (preferred and quickest response) at rep.hunter.cantrell@house.mn. Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can provide any assistance!
Sincerely,
Hunter Cantrell
Your Neighbor and State Representative