5-4-2020 COVID-19 Update from MN Governor Tim Walz and MDH

MN Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Update for 5-4-2020

On Monday, May 4, 2020, Governor Tim Walz joined the Minnesota Department of Health and other state officials to provide an update on Minnesota’s response to COVID-19.  

The following is a summary of Monday’s media briefing.

Update from Governor Walz:

• April was a rough month (referring to the increase of COVID-19 cases)
• Governor talks about how he appreciates the press for continuing to ask the questions, bring up concerns, and bring up facts over fear. Journalism is essential work.
• This week is Childcare Provider Appreciation Week — childcare has remained open during the pandemic. 
• New Executive Order issued — some people were getting their wages garnished. Now is not the time to collect from the most vulnerable, so we are giving those people some relief. 
• Governor talks about how elective surgeries may be able to happen again soon. An announcement should come in the next couple of days.
• Governor asked about putting together a new budget forecast. Things have changed dramatically from February to today. Those new figures will be released tomorrow. 

Update from Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• Globally, more than 3.5 million cases and 247,000 deaths from COVID-19.
• In the US, 1.1 million cases of COVID-19 and 68,000 deaths (death toll has now surpassed that of the Vietnam War)
• 7,234 cases in MN, 428 deaths 
• 396 patients in the hospital, 166 in ICU
• With volume of testing going up, we will find more COVID-19 cases. We’re expecting to see numbers continue to rise.
• It’s a lot of work to investigate all of these cases. Very labor intensive.
• With more cases added each day, we continue to look for ways to safely turn the dial incrementally to open more business activity and more health care access.
• To make this work, we need Minnesotans to focus on personal actions like social distancing. We need people to observe the stay-at-home orders. Our teams are working hard to come up with safe reopening plans — guidance for different settings and businesses to be able to increase economic activity but in a way that doesn’t further fuel community spread of the virus.  
• With the fishing opener coming up, don’t travel too far. Stay close to home. Enjoy outdoor activities, but do so with a minimal amount of travel.

Update from Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove:

• Opening the economy happens with thoughtful planning. 
• Engaging Minnesota to rebuild a safe and inclusive economy:
  • Minnesotans across the state are helping inform our COVID-19 response
  • The Walz-Flanagan administration is listening to Minnesotans and receiving feedbacks in many forms
    • virtual and in-person conversations and meetings
    • providing survey tools and idea submission forms
    • Letters, emails and phone calls.
  • Working together, we are navigating this pandemic as One Minnesota
• Our objective for safely reopening:
  • Carefully open our economy and society by moving along the dial, factoring in public health, social distancing, and societal well-being
  • Create thoughtful guidance in concert with community leaders
  • Release templates for worker/customer safety that can be used on site
  • Consistently monitor progress with industry and community leaders over time 
• Consulting every sector:
  • We have regular conversations about how we can safely reopen more sectors over time with:
    • Arts, concert halls, museums, and cultural organizations 
    • gyms, yoga studios, and fitness centers
    • restaurants, bars and other places of public amusement 
    • Salons, barber shops, and tattoo parlors
    • Small retail associations and business owners
    • Sporting venues and professional sports teams
    • Youth recreational organizations 
  • 
• Engaging Groups across Minnesota
  • We are in consistent dialogue with a variety of groups on a whole host of issues regarding reopening our economy:
    • Tribal leaders of the 11 Tribal Nations who share their geography with MN
    • Advocacy groups and non-profits representing communities of color and Indigenous communities
    • Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, and Economic Development Authorities
    • Consumer advocates for adults and people with disabilities
    • Disability services providers 
    • Educators, superintendents, and school districts
    • Labor unions and organizers
    • Long-term care providers 
    • Municipalities, counties and regional coalitions
    • Nonprofit organizations and foundations across a wide range of social issues 
    • Places of worship and faith communities
• We need to hear from you!
  • We are One Minnesota, and we need to hear from Minnesotans
  • Submit ideas and thoughts about safely re-engaging in workplaces and social settings:
    • Submission form available on mn.gov/deed/safework
    • More than 4,000 submissions so far
• We are going to recover from this crisis. A council is being formed with representatives from a number of different sectors who will help with this endeavor.

Update from Afro Deli CEO Abdi Kahin:

• Owns five Twin Cities restaurants and grab & go line of food
• As a small business owner, this pandemic has presented a new challenge for his business
• His business continues to focus on the health of his employees and customers 
• Reopening the local economy is a tough decision, but the governor’s administration is listening to his feedback and his suggestions 
• It’s important that we develop a plan for reopening in a safe way that protects his employees and customers 
• He appreciates the governor’s leadership
• Only two of his five restaurants are operating

Update from Hospitality Minnesota President and CEO Liz Rammer:

• Hospitality Minnesota represents more than 2,000 restaurants, lodging facilities, resorts, campgrounds, etc
• Many are independent, family-run businesses that employ 300,000 Minnesotans
• Hospitality industry has taken a “monumental hit” during the pandemic
• The industry faces “dire consequences” right now — More than half of the businesses in the local hospitality industry face certain permanent closure in the next two months on the current course.
• We share the common goal to protect and support both the public health and our economic recovery
• The hospitality industry is the fabric of our communities throughout the state 
• Our businesses and the public are ready to open now and approach this new normal. They understand there’s going to be the need for promoting effective social distancing, enhanced sanitation processes, and ways to engage with one another in a meaningful and safe way.
• We’re working with the governor and his team to finalize guidelines for this industry, drawing on the expertise of our membership, the guidance from federal and state agencies, and the expertise of our industry colleagues around the country. 
• Unless these businesses receive support that better reflects the needs that the current federal programs offer, many will simply not make it. Reopening won’t be sufficient. These businesses need an extra hand up.
• We need to work hard to build consumer confidence 
• We need to get this right to bring these businesses back to full health and we’re confident that we can do that.
• Want to finalize best practices and solidify an opening date with adequate notice so that businesses can prepare and secure economic relief

Additional notes from today’s meeting:

• Governor Walz urges people to shop local as businesses reopen with curbside pick-up
• Nobles County has the state’s second highest total of cases with 1,100. That county has a population of 21,000, so one in every 20 people, statistically, are infected there.
• Ramsey County, on the other hand has 550,000 people and 500 cases. 
• Governor makes plea to people to comply with the stay at home order 
• Governor thanks Vice President Pence for admitting he made a mistake by not wearing a mask during his visit to the Mayo Clinic
• It’s not mandated for people to wear a mask, but by doing so, the chance of you infecting someone else with COVID-19 could be cut down. It could also help speed up the reopening of Minnesota’s small businesses. 
• Governor received a question to provide specific dates on when restaurants and other hospitality places can open. He couldn’t provide an exact date. But he’s interested in looking at other states and other models to see what works on this. Governor wonders if businesses could still make money if they open at 25% capacity (after you factor in overhead).
• The real challenge for business is over the horizon — it’s about building confidence. The state has to provide them with that confidence. 
• Governor received question about whether there would be a bonding bill this year. Governor says he’s still very hopeful and that there’s strong bipartisan support to do this. “It makes sense for Minnesota to do this.” 
• Governor disagrees with the accusation from state lawmakers that he’s been acting unilaterally with using some of his emergency powers since the pandemic hit. “I would argue at this point in time, that authority is moving us in a direction that is flattening the curve, that is building up PPE, that is moving businesses back to operate.” 
• Governor says he would not order the National Guard to work at the under-staffed meat packing plants. He would prefer to leave that job to the people who have been properly trained to do the work. It’s not only skilled work, but it can be dangerous work.
• The state is still seeing a low number of COVID-19 cases in children. MDH is unsure what their role is in the transmission of the virus. 
• Stearns County’s local public health officials are getting more help. It does appear that there is more community spread there.  
• Governor says the expanded testing capacity gives him more confidence to resume expansion of elective surgeries (dental procedures will be part of this, but he’ll have more information tomorrow on easing restrictions).

• Current status of MN Governor’s safety dials to reopen the state:

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