Minnesota hunkers down at home while COVID-19 deaths hit 4
Steve Karnowski | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
A Metrotransit bus uses the marquee to advise Minnesotans to stay home as it travels on the Nicollet Mall Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, an effort to slow down the coronavirus in the state. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
In this Monday, March 23, 2020, photo, Metro Transit busses travel with the hashtag #STAYHOMEMN during the coronavirus outbreak on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. (Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via AP)
Lawmakers doing social distancing in the Minnesota House take the Pledge of Allegiance, Thursday, March 26, 2020 at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. before the body met to take up bills related to the coronavirus in the state. A limited number of members were allowed on the House floor. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Several Lawmakers in the Minnesota House practice social distancing from a gallery Thursday, March 26, 2020 at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. as representatives met to take up bills related to the coronavirus in the state. A limited number of members were allowed on the House floor. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Lawmakers practice social distancing, Thursday, March 26, 2020 at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. before the body met to take up bills related to the coronavirus in the state. A limited number of members were allowed on the House floor. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addresses the media during news conference, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn., where he gave an update on the state's effort to slow down the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
The marquee at the Uptown Theater makes it clear it isn't open Friday, March 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a stay-at-home order effective at midnight Friday to help stop the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Outdoor activities such as walking are permitted. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
The marquee at the Uptown Theater spoofs restaurant take-out-only language with this sign Friday, March 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a stay-at-home order effective at midnight Friday to help stop the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Outdoor activities such as walking are permitted. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
A church in south Minneapolis advises parishioners that the Sunday service would be online only Friday, March 27, 2020. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a stay-at-home order effective at midnight Friday to help stop the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Outdoor activities such as walking are permitted. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
A family takes a walk around Lake Harriet as a Canada goose family, center right, enjoys the open water Friday, March 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. Gov. Tim Walz issued a stay-at-home order effective at midnight Friday to help stop the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Walz's order calls on Minnesotans who work in nonessential jobs to stay home when possible for two weeks, though they may go out for essential needs such as trips to the supermarket and pharmacy, doctor visits and for outdoor recreation if they practice social distancing. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Walkers take advantage of a spring day Friday, March 27, 2020 at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a stay-at-home order effective at midnight Friday to help stop the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Outdoor activities such as walking are permitted. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
A Delta Airlines plane takes off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Friday, March 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. President Donald Trump is expected to sign a bill passed in the House and Senate which grants billions in loans and loan guarantees for passenger airlines which are affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A stay-at-home order takes effect at midnight Friday as Minnesota tries to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to peak in the coming weeks, from overloading the state's health care system.
Where things stand as Minnesota hunkers down to fight the disease:
THE CURRENT SITUATION
The Minnesota Department of Health reported two more deaths Friday for a total of four. One was a resident of Hennepin County while the other lived in Martin County. Both of them were in senior living facilities. The department's confirmed case count rose to 398, up 52 from Thursday, with 34 patients hospitalized, including 14 in intensive care. But 180 patients have recovered and no longer need to be isolated.
The confirmed case totals are just the “tip of the iceberg," Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said on a conference call with reporters and Gov, Tim Walz. The department warns that although many counties have yet to report any cases, the coronavirus should be presumed to be everywhere.
THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER
Walz's stay-at-home order calls on Minnesotans who work in nonessential jobs to stay home for two weeks, though they may go out for essential needs such as trips to the supermarket and pharmacy, doctor visits and for outdoor recreation if they practice social distancing. Restaurants that closed under an earlier order may continue to offer takeout and delivery service. Liquor stores, hardware stores and many other businesses can also stay open.
With 78% of Minnesota jobs classified as essential positions, there's a long list of exceptions. Authorities are counting on voluntary compliance. While violations are punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, Walz says they're focusing on education, not enforcement, and nobody needs to carry papers or show a note to explain where they're going.
THE REASONING
The purpose of the order is to buy time to ramp up the response. The big fear of Walz and health officials is that as the cases rise, the state's hospitals won't have enough intensive care beds to handle the needs of all the seriously ill patients. The state currently has 235 adult ICU beds, but is working to expand that number, and it hopes to build makeshift facilities for patients who aren't seriously sick but still need hospital care.
Some Republicans have expressed qualms about the order, including Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka who said he has “grave concerns” about the consequences for families that lose jobs and businesses.
Applications for unemployment insurance since last Tuesday are expected to top 220,000 by the end of the day Friday, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said. That's more than all of last year combined, he added.
THE LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE
The Legislature has approved $330 million in relief on top of the $200 million it approved earlier this month to bolster the health care system. The new package includes $200 million to cover state agency costs, plus money for small businesses; child care providers that stay open to care for the children of health care and emergency workers; aid to local governments and tribes; money for food banks; aid to veterans and surviving spouses; and shelter for the homeless.
But lawmakers couldn't agree on everything that was proposed in the private conference calls that shaped the bill. Some ideas could find a home in a future aid package.
In an interview, Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman listed guarantees that hourly school workers would get paid while schools are closed, help for affected renters on top of the governor's freeze on evictions, a presumption that first responders who catch COVID-19 got it on the job and should qualify for workers compensation, and flexibility for the courts on statutes of limitations and rights to speedy trials.
Republicans, and some Democrats, said they want to see more aid to help small businesses stay alive. This bill was Phase 2 and there needs to be a Phase 3, Gazelka told reporters. Business property tax relief, delays in sales tax payments and fee waivers should be part of that, he said.