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New York Sees Highest Single Day Death Toll Despite Reports That Curve Is “Flattening”

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The nation’s coronavirus outbreak epicenter logged its single deadliest day yet. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that the state had its highest single-day death toll due to COVID-19, with 779 reported Tuesday, but the average number of hospitalizations has decreased over the past couple of days.  Cuomo said Wednesday that dramatic action and social distancing is “making the difference” in the fight against the pandemic.

“It’s working, it’s flattening the curve and we’re seeing that today,” the governor told reporters. “The curve is flattening because we are flattening the curve by what we’re doing.”  Cuomo said that closing schools and non-essential businesses has helped the state bring down the rate of new COVID-19 infections requiring hospitalization. He added that some hospitals in the state are releasing more patients than taking in new ones.

The 779 deaths on Tuesday were the highest number of new coronavirus deaths in New York for a second straight day. Cuomo, who ordered all flags in New York state flown at half-staff, said that people need to remain vigilant and disciplined about social distancing. As of Wednesday, there are 149,316 cases of COVID-19 in New York, with at least 6,268  deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Record coronavirus deaths in New York, New Jersey amid fear of toll undercount

Via feeds.reuters.com
 

Editorial credit: Hans Pennink / Shutterstock.com

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Bernie Sanders Ends His 2020 Presidential Campaign

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Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential race on Wednesday. Former Vice President Joe Biden is now the party’s best chance to defeat President Donald Trump in November. Biden now has a clear path to the nomination, though the end of the primary is overshadowed by the global crisis of the coronavirus pandemic as it spread across the U.S.

“If I believed we had a feasible path to the nomination, I would certainly continue the campaign, but it’s just not there,” Sanders said in a livestream address on Wednesday. “As I see the crisis gripping the nation, exacerbated by a president unwilling or unable to provide any kind of credible leadership and the work that needs to be done to protect people in this most desperate hour, I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour,” he said. Sanders called his choice to suspend his campaign a “difficult and painful” decision.

         

Sanders quits Democratic race for president, Biden is party’s apparent nominee

Via www.nbcnews.com
 

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Disney Launches ‘At Home With Olaf’ Series With Josh Gad

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Disney is launching a new series, At Home with Olaf, starring Frozen and Frozen 2 voice actor Josh Gad. The show is a weekly digital animated series featuring Gad as his Frozen character, the snowman Olaf.  The series will consist of 20 vignettes featuring Olaf. The first episode, titled “Fun with Snow,” shows Olaf throwing snowballs, only for some of them to return.

At Home with Olaf was created by Hyrum Osmond, the supervising animator of Olaf from Frozen, while at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. Disney Animation promoted the show in a tweet saying: “Enjoy more #AtHomeWithOlaf from Disney Animation every day this week!” the post reads.

 

‘At Home With Olaf’ arrives just in time to warm our lonely hearts

Via rss.cnn.com
Disney Animation is debuting a series of weekly animated shorts called, “At Home With Olaf.”
 

Editorial credit: Sarunyu L / Shutterstock.com

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Amazon To Stream Stage Version Of ‘Fleabag’ For Charity

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s “Fleabag” is all set to stream on Amazon Prime Video to raise money for people in need amid the coronavirus pandemic. In a press release, Waller-Bridge noted that the world is going through rough times and she hopes that the “filmed” performance could help in raising money for the people affected by the pandemic while providing wholesome entertainment to those who are in self-isolation. The actress also revealed that the money raised will be going to a number of charities including NHS Charities Together and Acting For Others, and National Emergencies Trust. All the money raised from the production will support all the health care workers who are on the front lines of the pandemic.

“I hope this filmed performance of ‘Fleabag’ can help raise money while providing a little theatrical entertainment in these isolated times. All money raised will support the people throughout our society who are fighting for us on the front lines and those financially devastated by the crisis,” Waller-Bridge said. “Thank you to all our partners and to the creative team who have waived their royalties from this production to raise money for such vital causes in this unbelievably challenging situation. Thank you in advance to those who donate,” Waller-Bridge she added.

Waller-Bridge wrote “Fleabag” as a one-woman play in 2013 and went on to become a series on Amazon. The series season 2 won a total of six Primetime Emmys last year, including Outstanding Comedy Series.

‘Fleabag’ stage production coming to Amazon

Via rss.cnn.com
If you never had a chance to see “Fleabag” while it was gracing the stage, here’s your chance.
 

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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SPORTS FEEVER – April 9, 2020

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We have solidified our sports broadcast schedule next week!

We are going to carry the following games –
Monday, April 13 – 1995 State Baseball – Crookston Pirate first-round game
Tuesday, April 14 – 1995 State Baseball – Crookston Pirate semi-final game
Wednesday, April 15 – 1995 State Baseball Championship game – Crookston vs Brooklyn Center – 10 inning game (One of the best State Baseball championship games ever.  The 1995 Baseball team has been inducted into the Crookston High School Hall of Fame and set the school home run record that will likely never be touched by another Pirate team)
Thursday, April 16 – 2006 Section 8AAA Football Championship game – Crookston vs East Grand Forks.  (This was in the thick of some of the best Crookston vs EGF football games that have ever been played with talent galore on both sides!!!   The championship thriller in 2006 came down to the last minute of the game at the Alerus Center on October 31, 2006.  The game was loaded with a bunch of college football players including Jake Coauette, a tight end and National Champion at Minnesota Duluth, EGF had one go play at NDSU, each team had a player each go to UND)
Friday, April 17 – 2006 Section 8AA Girls Basketball Championship game – Crookston vs Barnesville (Crookston was led by the super-sophomores and led by head Coach Eric Schmidt who is now an Assistant Football Coach at Fresno State – Crookston had one player play at Iowa, two played at Bemidji State and one played at University of Mary.)

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We received the bad news from Governor Tim Walz with the extension of the Stay At Home extension through May 4.   The good news is Minnesota’s predicted COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to go down because of the stay at home order.  So hopefully, when May 4 rolls around we can get high school sports underway and get a week of practice in with two or three weeks of games.
If there is sports or not, I don’t think is as important to the kids as getting back to school.  I have talked to my kids and they miss school.  They miss their classmates, their friends and the structure we call school.  We have quickly realized how important school is in society.  The most important part of school for a growing number of kids is the Food Service.  We have realized that in Crookston and many other towns that have a growing number of free and reduced meal roster.  Crookston was serving over 300 meals a day while school is in distance learning.  300 meals!!!!!   Some of the kids are students at Fisher and Climax/Shelly schools too, but it tells you how important the Food Service programs are at our schools.  As a parent doing some grocery shopping for a family with five people at home and three kids home all day, I have realized how good of a deal the school breakfast and lunches are!!!

I won’t complain when we get the letter in the mail that the kids need more money in the account anymore!

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The Crookston Pirate Softball team put a collage together and it is pictured below.  Area teams, coaches, parents, and players….if you have something (pictures, videos, etc) that you have put together of your team, seniors, or whatever, send them to me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com, or send them to my phone at 218-280-4021.  We would like to honor all the area student-athletes over the next month!

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Wimbledon has reportedly paid $2 million a year for pandemic insurance for the last 17 years (Total: $34 Million)
For this year’s cancellation as a result of the Coronavirus, Wimbledon will reportedly receive $141 million from the policy.

That is why you have insurance!

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Several school districts from Northwest Minnesota will participate in the “Be the Light” campaign tonight and some will continue for weeks to come.

Ada-Borup will light up Tony Sipe Field April 6 starting at 8:20 p.m. for 20 minutes.

Bagley will turn on the lights at the Bagley Athletic Complex at 8:20 p.m. for 20 minutes.

Crookston will light up Jim Karn Baseball Field at 8:20 p.m. for 20 minutes.

East Grand Forks Senior High will turn on the lights at the football field at 8:40 p.m. for 20 minutes.

Fertile-Beltrami will turn on the lights at the football field at 8:20 PM for 20 minutes. They are asking people to turn on their porch lights to show the students we are thinking of them during this time.

Fosston High School will light up Thompson Field April 6 at 8:20 p.m. for 20 minutes.

Pelican Rapids will light up Chauncey Martin Field Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. for 20 minutes.

Red Lake County Central/Red Lake Falls will have lights on at the Oklee Field from 8:00-8:20 on Mondays and Dreschel Field in Red Lake Falls from 8:30-9:00 on Mondays.

Roseau High School will turn on the lights at Halvorson Field every Monday night at 8:46 p.m. for 20 minutes.

Sacred Heart School in East Grand Forks doesn’t have a field with lights, but will have an online synchronized rosary prayer led by coaches from 8:00 to 8:20 p.m. on Mondays.

Stephen-Argyle will light up Jay Sorenson Memorial Field in Argyle at 8:00 p.m. for 20 minutes.

Thief River Falls will light up the tennis courts from 8:20 to 9:20 every Monday night.

Warren-Alvarado-Oslo will turn on the football field’s lights from 8:40-9:20 PM on Monday nights.

Warroad will turn on the lights at the football field Monday nights from 9:00 to 9:20 p.m.

Waubun will turn on the lights at Waubun Stadium at 8:00 p.m. for 20 minutes.

Win-E-Mac School District will light up the lights at the football field at 8:20 p.m. for 20 minutes.

Governor Tim Walz told student-athletes that they are heroes –

“What you are doing matters. Your sacrifice is keeping people safe…Someday when you have children of your own, you’ll tell them about this moment in history and what you and your neighbors did to help.”

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The Division II Administrative Committee specified the first permissible date that institutions can issue athletic aid agreements (as we like to call scholarships) is April 15. The committee also confirmed that institutional camps and clinics are not permitted during the dead period scheduled through at least May 31.

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There is a slight possibility of NHL games (regular season and playoffs) being played at the Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks if the NHL resumes the season this year.  According to SportsNet (out of Canada) –

“The NHL and NHLPA are beginning to spitball scenarios as to where remaining 2019-20 regular-season/playoff games could be held. One location that’s been mentioned: North Dakota.”

The bad news, crowds likely wouldn’t be allowed to attend the games.

Grand Forks is an attractive place to play the game due to the lack of population.

We will see what happens!

— — —

The Gopher Men’s Basketball team got big news this week as 7-foot 240 pound Liam Robbins will transfer from Drake and will have two years of eligibility left.  Robbins is from Iowa and he has an uncle on the Gopher Men’s Basketball coaching staff.  It is a huge addition (no pun attended) after Daniel Oturu said he was entering the NBA draft after two years with the Gophers and will likely be a first-round draft pick.

— — —

Concordia Athletic Director Rachel Bergeson announced that Tyler Bormann has been hired as the new head coach for the Cobber men’s basketball program. Bormann becomes the 12th head coach in the history of the program since men’s basketball started at Concordia in 1923.

Bormann, who is a 2006 graduate of Concordia, comes to the college after spending four seasons as the head coach at Moorhead High School. Bormann led the Spuds to 20-win seasons in 2019 and 2020 which was the first time in school history the boys’ basketball team had won at least 20 games in back-to-back seasons. Before his time at Moorhead, Bormann was the head coach at Breckenridge High School for four seasons where he helped lead the Cowboys to their first Minnesota State High School Tournament berth in 36 years. He was also named the Section 8AA Coach of the Year in 2015.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have the opportunity to take over the Concordia men’s basketball program,” Bormann commented. “It’s a program that means a lot to many and it is a program that I am really excited to come in to and, hopefully, infuse some energy in to.”

Bormann started his coaching career path in the college game. He was a graduate assistant at Augustana University (S.D.) for two seasons and then became the top assistant at Lakeland College in Wisconsin in 2008. Bormann returned to the area when he was hired as the lead assistant coach at the University of Jamestown in the summer of 2011. He helped coach the Jimmies for one season and was then offered the head coaching position at Breckenridge.

In addition to his head coaching responsibilities, Bormann was involved in other aspects of the Moorhead educational community. He was the Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Moorhead HS since 2016 and also oversaw a comprehensive city-wide youth program that included over 350 boys from grades K-12.

“I feel that a lot of experiences that I have had, have led me to be ready for this position and ready for this opportunity, “Bormann said. “I tend to live my life with a great energy. I really want to bring a positive energy to every daily interaction. I want our student/athletes to know with a great deal of enthusiasm a lot can be accomplished.”

Bormann earned his bachelor of arts degree in Biology Education from Concordia in 2006. He went on to gain his master’s degree in Education from Augustana University (S.D.) in 2008.

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JOKES

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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST email me at  chrisjfee@yahoo.com

Paul Bittner is playing for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket.

Brady Heppner, is playing hockey for the Roanoke Raildogs in the SPHL.

Aleece Durbin, is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.

Brita Fagerlund, is a Junior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.

Ben Trostad is a sophomore member of the University of Minnesota Crookston golf team.

Isaac Westlake, is a Senior on the Winona State Warrior Men’s Golf team.

Elise Tangquist, is a Junior golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul.

Mason LaPlante, a freshman, is playing soccer at the University of Jamestown.

Rachel Hefta, a freshman, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.

Cade Salentine is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota. 

Nick Garmen, is a freshman playing basketball and tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.

Thea Oman, a freshman, is swimming at St. Ben’s.

Crookston School District Coaches –
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Head Pirate Girls and Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is the Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Kevin Weber is a Pirate Boys Basketball volunteer assistant coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Blake Fee is an assistant wrestling coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach

Non-Crookston High School coaching –

Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown

Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.

Justin Johnson is an assistant softball coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston.

Josh Edlund  is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.

Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park

Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.

Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.

Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson, is Head Volleyball coach at Little Falls High School.

Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.

Matt Harris, is a Director of Athletics at the British International School of Houston.

Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.

Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming

Mike Hastings is the Minnesota State Mankato Men’s head Hockey coach

Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School

Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relations

Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College

Chris Myrold is a Tennis Pro on Nevis Island in the West Indies

Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis

Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy

Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.

Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and also a grad of West Point and is currently is serving in the U.S. Army.

Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.

Philip Kujawa class of 2004 from Crookston High School.  He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.

Scott Riopelle is head of Crookston Parks and Recreation

Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome

That’s it for this week.  Thanks for the comments and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call.  Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com

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CITY OF CROOKSTON TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE EOC AS RIVER LEVEL IS STILL ABOVE 23 FEET

The current Red Lake River level in Crookston remains above 23 feet. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be staffed throughout the night to continue monitoring the river levels. The crest has been projected to be at the current level, so expectations of the EOC staff at this time are to continue the monitoring of the river height. Volunteers continue to participate in levee walks to check for potential issues on the levees.
Volunteers have been lined up to continue the levee patrol once again in the morning.  The EOC staff will be available to answer any high water concerns by contacting them at 281-4363. If there is an emergency please dial 911.

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AG INNOVATION CAMPUS IN CROOKSTON READIES TO BREAK GROUND

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Nearly one year after receiving funding from the Minnesota Legislature, the Ag (née Soy) Innovation Campus (AIC) in Crookston is making significant progress and remains on track to reach a milestone in July.

In 2019, spurred by a passionate advocacy push from Minnesota farmers, the Minnesota Legislature approved $5 million toward the Ag Innovation Campus in the omnibus agriculture finance bill. The funding will go into effect in the second half of the biennium budget in July 2020.

“We are very encouraged by the developments we’ve seen in the past several months,” says Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) Vice President Mike Skaug, who chairs the AIC Board of Directors. “We’re full steam ahead.”

In September 2019, the permit process began in Crookston. The project has continued building momentum. With support from the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), Jim Lambert has been tabbed to serve as AIC project manager.

“This a very exciting initiative that will have a positive impact on – and help drive – the development of value-added agricultural products,” Lambert says. “This project will create a place to teach, innovate, develop and scale new products, better processes and novel technologies.”

MSR&PC will continue hiring a team of contractors to further assist with construction and development.

“We’re determined to see the Ag Innovation Campus to completion, and we’re staffing up to do exactly that,” says Tom Slunecka, CEO of Ag Management Solutions, the organization managing the Ag Innovation Campus and both MSR&PC and MSGA.

The non-profit AIC board of directors includes MSGA and the MSR&PC directors, along with representatives from the City of Crookston, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and Plasma Blue.

“We have a broad coalition of voices on the board,” Skaug says. “Everyone’s moving in the same direction: forward.”

The AIC will host a specialty crushing facility, allowing universities, commodity groups and private seed developers access to affordable processing that aims to lower costs while promoting growth of value-added products. Once established, the Campus will be home to private industries to create products from the co-products of the four facilities, benefitting all parties from farm gate to consumers.

“This Campus will be the first of its kind in the nation,” Slunecka says. “Farmers drive agriculture with their innovation, and this project will serve that same purpose.”

The AIC has received broad bipartisan support. GOP senators Torrey Westrom, Bill Weber and Mark Johnson; Rep. Deb Kiehl (R-Crookston); Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen; and Gov. Tim Walz worked together to ensure the project received state funding. The City of Crookston has also embraced the endeavor with gusto and has begun plans for infrastructure upgrades.

“Farmers are grateful to see legislators, elected officials, public agencies and city leaders come together to support Minnesota’s agriculture economy,” says Skaug, a Beltrami farmer. “Farming fuels economies throughout Minnesota, and the Ag Innovation Campus is a game-changer for value-added agriculture.”

Agriculture contributes roughly 25 percent to Minnesota’s GDP, and northwest Minnesota is home to one of the country’s largest soybean-rich areas. In 2019, the 11 northwest Minnesota counties near Crookston produced more than 50 million bushels of soybeans.

“It’s fantastic to see this project become a reality for the Crookston area and farmers in northwestern Minnesota,” Commissioner Petersen says. “In the current farm economy, it’s more important than ever to find new ways for farmers to process and market their commodities. The Ag Innovation Campus is a great example of how we can support those efforts.”

About the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association

MSGA is a non-partisan, farmer-controlled advocacy organization established in 1962. The organization representes the interests of Minnesota’s nearly 28,000 soybean farmers. Its goal is to ensure profitable soybean farming by influencing favorable ag legislation, monitoring government policies and supporting research and market development activities.

 

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POLK COUNTY LAUNCHES COVID-19 RESPONSE HUB WEBSITE TO HELP RESIDENTS

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Polk County has launched a website for residents to access up-to-date, reliable information on COVID-19 in the community.

The website, Polk County Coronavirus Response Hub, is available by clicking on a link on the County’s website home page, https://www.co.polk.mn.us/ by following the top link, directly at https://coronavirus-response-pcg.hub.arcgis.com/, and via the County’s GIS Hub at https://hub-pcg.hub.arcgis.com/. The Coronavirus Response Hub uses mapping software to organize and share data from verified sources on the impact of COVID-19 locally, with information on the number and status of COVID-19 cases, availability of food resources, locations of health facilities and schools providing food to students.

The website also provides clear information on COVID-19 symptoms, what residents should do if they develop symptoms or have been in close contact with an individual known to have COVID-19, or have recently traveled from an area of COVID-19 community spread. Statewide guidelines and resources are also provided, ensuring a one-stop location for COVID-19 information for Polk County residents. A number of web and mobile maps and apps are available:

Jody Beauchane, Polk County Emergency Manager said: “Our goal at the County is always to serve the residents of Polk County in the best way possible. During the coronavirus pandemic this means making sure trustworthy information is easy to find and up-to-date so that our citizens can make good decisions to protect themselves and their neighbors and loved ones. We hope that the Coronavirus Response Hub is valuable to our community by providing many resources in a single location that’s easy to use and always up-to-date. The public should continue to follow the advice shared on the site: wash your hands often, limit trips outside of the home and practice social distancing. It could just save a life.”

The Polk County Coronavirus Response Hub was developed by Polk County working with Minnesota-based geographic information systems (GIS) company Pro-West & Associates. The maps are based on Esri mapping technology and show data provided by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more information, contact Jody Beauchane, Polk County Emergency Manager Jody.Beaucchane@co.polk.mn.us  218-470-8263

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GOVERNOR TIM WALZ EXTENDS STAY AT HOME ORDER TO MAY 4

To continue Minnesota’s success in slowing the spread of COVID-19 across the state, Governor Tim Walz today extended the Stay Home Order until May 4.

“What we are doing is working, Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “We are taking this seriously, and we are staying home. While Minnesota is showing lower rates of infections than our peers across the country, now is not the time to let up or allow that trajectory to change. Updated federal guidance and our own public health experts are showing that if we keep staying home, we will save lives – which is why I made the data-driven decision to extend the Stay Home Order until May 4.”

The Governor’s order to stay home is forecasted to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19, pushing out the peak of the disease and allowing the state to continue key preparations for the pandemic. These preparations include building new hospital capacity and buying ventilators and masks, planning for how to protect those most at risk, expanding testing, and freeing up time for health care giants like the Mayo Clinic to develop critical treatments for the virus. The Stay Home Order is now extended to 11:59 pm on May 3, 2020.

“As a mom and a daughter, I know how challenging this is for Minnesota families – but it is working,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “These decisions are guided by the best-available data, and we are constantly responding to new information and challenges. Staying home is the best strategy we have, and it is saving lives, especially of our most vulnerable.”

Consistent with the extended Stay Home Order, Executive Order 20-33 also extends the closure of bars, restaurants, and other public accommodations through 11:59 pm on May 3, 2020 and outlines exemptions to the Stay Home Order, including exempted activities and critical sector workers.

“We’re facing an historic public health crisis, and Minnesotans are rising to the challenge,” Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. “The social distancing and community mitigation efforts Governor Walz implemented have secured us much-needed time to prepare more fully for the predicted peak in cases, and today’s announcement gives us a better chance to save even more lives. We are thankful for the tremendous effort and sacrifices Minnesotans are making.”

Under the extended order, Minnesotans may leave their residences only to perform the following activities, and while doing so, they should practice social distancing:

    • Relocation to ensure safety, such as relocating to a different location if your home is unsafe due to domestic violence, sanitation, or reasons related to essential operations.
    • Health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies.
    • Outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing.
    • Necessary supplies and services, such as getting groceries, gasoline, or carry-out.
    • Essential intrastate and interstate travel, such as returning to a home from outside this state.
    • Care of others, such as caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household.
    • Displacement, such as moving between emergency shelters if you are without a home.
    • Moving or relocation, such as moving to a new home or place of residence.
    • Voting, including all local and state elections.
    • Funerals, provided that no more than ten attendees are gathered and strict social distancing is enforced.
    • Tribal activities and lands, such as activities by members within the boundaries of their tribal reservation.

Executive Order 20-33 also orders that all workers who can work from home must do so. Workers in critical sectors who cannot work from home are permitted to go to work. Guidance related to critical sectors is available at http://mn.gov/deed/critical/.

The Governor’s Executive Order will have the full force and effect of law upon approval by the Executive Council.

Updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota are available at mn.gov/covid19/.

Frequently asked questions are available here: https://mn.gov/covid19/faq/.

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VILLA ST. VINCENT, RIVERVIEW HEALTH RECEIVE COVID-19 EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE GRANTS FROM MDH

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced today that it has awarded $50 million in emergency health care grants to nearly 350 provider organizations across the state for preparing for and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grants in Crookston were awarded to the Villa St. Vincent ($29,442) and RiverView Healthcare Association ($100,000).

MDH awarded grants to a variety of providers including ambulance services, health care clinics, tribal health organizations, pharmacies, hospitals, assisted living facilities and health systems. MDH received more than 1,600 grant requests for the available $50 million, requesting a total of more than $300 million.

Providers most commonly applied for funding to cover staffing costs, equipment, and supplies, including personal protective equipment.

“With these grants, providers can start using these funds as quickly as possible to prepare for delivering care to COVID-19 patients and be ready for the many challenges this pandemic places on Minnesota’s health care system,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm.

MDH reviewed grant applications and considered multiple factors in ranking requests by highest priority, including the urgency of need and ability to spend these resources swiftly. Reviewers also considered whether other funding sources were becoming available to meet certain needs; for example, nursing home applicants were encouraged to apply for expedited reimbursement through the Minnesota Department of Human Services but will be able to apply for funds in future rounds to meet needs that cannot be met through that source. MDH also considered and tried to balance the total needs of the health care sector across the state. The grant amounts ranged in size from a few hundred dollars to $5 million. A list of grantee organizations is available on MDH’s website at COVID–19 Response Grant for Short Term Emergency Funding.

In March, the Minnesota Legislature passed an emergency health care law authorizing a $200 million investment in the health care system to respond to COVID-19. The funding for this initial $50 million round of emergency grants was added to an existing public heath response contingency account, with instructions from the legislature to focus on helping relieve costs that are necessary on an emergency basis for addressing the COVID-19 outbreak.

MDH will soon be taking applications for the additional $150 million the legislature approved as a new health care response fund to help providers prepare for and respond to the outbreak. Providers can use the money to fund staffing costs, to establish temporary sites to provide testing or treatment services, to expand the number of beds available for COVID-19 treatment, for isolating affected patients or staff, and to support emergency transportation. Grants can also fund temporary information technology systems to support triage, screening, and telemedicine. In addition, providers can use the funds for personal protective equipment, testing, and other supplies and ICU equipment, among other things. A full list of eligible expenses will be included in the application, which will open within the next week.