We have to beat the virus before the economy comes back, Walz told reporters after announcing the restrictions and signing legislation that will target $88 million in payments directly to bars and restaurants. PAUL, Minn. (KEYC) - Gov. Watch: Walz briefs reporters on the end of Minnesotas statewide mask mandate. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Walz on Wednesday, though, said the recent improvements in conditions havent been significant enough for Minnesota to let down its guard. FDA authorizes the first at-home test for COVID-19 and the flu. Print. What are we waiting for?. Walz has already signed several bills into law, including the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act, which protects abortion access in Minnesota; the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on natural hair styles and texture; and Restore the Vote, which will restore right to vote to thousands of people with felony convictions who have PHOTOS: Governor Walz, Lt. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. You can find more detailed statistics on COVID-19 at theHealth Department website. In the past few days, though, theres been positive news on new COVID-19 caseloads and hospitalizations. 00:06:19 - Minnesota Gov. The CDC, though, doesn't require vaccinations as a prerequisite to reopening. Some insulin has cost up to $275 according to the advocacy group Insulin Initiative.. Walz announced a set of minimum guidelines for districts based on the number of COVID-19 cases in a given area during a press conference this afternoon. What does the science say about the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic? "They're right to be concerned," Walz told Minnesota Public Radio. Republicans, who have been pushing for students to be back in the classroom, are proceeding with plans in the Senate Thursday to debate a bill that would strip Walz of his executive powers over school openings and schedules. Tim Walz announces a back-to-school plan for Minnesota, where the state will work with individual school districts to decide whether in-person, distance or hybrid learning is right for. Hastings 33, STMA 32, In a shocking ending, the Raiders won the last three matches from STMA by pin, and stole the match from #1 STMA, 33-32, winning the state championship. May 13, 2021 5:28 AM Gov. MinnPost photo by Peter CallaghanGov. Walz specificallyaddressed the Class of 2020, who hasseen their senior year completely upended by the impacts of the global pandemic. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Energy Department report on COVID's origins rekindles ongoing debate. Funding comes from the Governor's Education. Tim Walz, who will speak on the issue at 10 a.m., has ordered all Minnesota K-12 public schools close by this coming Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 27. Make a gift of any amount today to support this resource for everyone. You cant pretend this isn't there, he said of the virus. "It's become obvious the main thing standing in the way from a full reopening of schools are the teacher's unions," said Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, in a statement. "Walz checks" are only the beginning. Above, Senator Tina Smith and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz listen as Hennepin County District 4 Commissioner Angela Conley speaks on June 5, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Will you help us keep it this way by supporting our nonprofit newsroom with a tax-deductible donation today? Gov. Democratic Gov. First published on February 17, 2021 / 5:59 PM. Because of how the virus spreads, wearing a mask continues to be an important way to prevent infection. "It's time to get our students back in school and we can do that safely.". Tim Walz announced Thursday that public schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Box 18438 | Minneapolis, MN 55418 | 612.455.6950. Officials say theyve been working to balance the recent improvement in conditions with the reality that the pandemic isnt over. Now, the city might start buying garbage trucks, Should the Minnesota DFL fear the electoral reaper? ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota Gov. "We Already know that subs are in short supply. Tim Walz, here in St. Paul on January 2, signed on Friday a bill that will restore the voting rights of convicted felons. 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Boost student, family, and educator support, like digital navigation trainings, tutors, translation services, mental health support, and professional development. FOX 9 (FOX 9) - Gov. I want to be clear it's not the end of the pandemic, but it is the end of the pandemic for a lot of vaccinated folks, he told reporters. The governor said nearly 25 percent of teachers have been vaccinated, and the state plans to have 18,000 vaccine doses available for teachers next week, which the state says is an increase from past allocations. Walz and other officials have expressed hope that the vaccines arriving now in Minnesota and across the country will ease the strain and the need for restrictions eventually, but not yet. Governor Walz is investing over $430 million in federal funding to help schools, educators, students, and families through this uncertain time. However, there will be limits in place depending upon the prevalence of COVID-19 in local areas. The health and safety of our students, educators, school staff, and families are our number one priority, said Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker. Families that get . Teams will be allowed to resume practices on Jan. 4, the people given advance details say, but games wont be allowed until later. "We're on offense now and it's our time to take back the things that make life so wonderful for us," Walz said during a news conference. Teachers unions in some parts of the state, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, asked districts to push back reopening plans earlier this year over health and safety concerns. While the pandemic has led to conversations about social distancing and mask-wearing and vaccines, he said, "its also shined a very harsh spotlight on those inequities, whether they're inequities in education opportunities or outcomes.". We went from really horrendous to just horrendous, Walz told reporters. But it also says at any level of community transmission all schools can offer in-person or hybrid classes through strict adherence to mitigation strategies such as mask usage. Make a gift of any amount today to support this resource for everyone. But others took to social media to urge Walz to proceed with caution, saying they couldnt be sure that people without masks would be vaccinated. CBS Minnesota reports the state announced 800 new cases and three deaths Monday, bringing the state's death total to 6,098. In January, Education Minnesota the state teachers union had questioned whether reopening more elementary schools was safe and have since said vaccinating teachers is key to opening schools. Latest COVID-19 updates in our morning newsletter, Analysis of COVID-19 numbers in Minnesota, would remain in place until July 1 or when at least 70 percent of Minnesota residents, How to find a COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota, 'I'm really worried about it': As federal emergency food help ends, Minnesotans voice concerns. In total, more than 695,000 Minnesotans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is more than 12 percent of the states population. A rally in front of the Governor's Mansion "Their demands to delay in-person instruction is failing kids, parents, and our future.". Todays news is not only devastating, its shameful and unjust, he said in a statement, adding that a fraction of COVID-19 cases have been tracked back to bars and restaurants. Walz also outlined a set of safety protocols for schools to follow. As of Friday, 27 percent of school districts and charter schools had in-person learning for middle and high school students while another 38 percent offered a hybrid learning model with some in-class time, according to data provided to MinnPost by the teachers union Education Minnesota. The Governor has also prioritized family and community needs by mobilizing his state agencies to create strategies and flexibilities for child care and school-age care providers and protections for workers who will need to provide care for children during the school-day. Students in those grades must keep six feet apart from each other during the school day whenever feasible, and at least three feet apart at all times. Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota the state's largest teacher union said as much in a statement. Tuesday, Jan. 11. The coronavirus is transmitted through respiratory droplets, coughs and sneezes, similar to the way the flu can spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance last week for when schools should open based on the spread of COVID-19. The latest on the situation can be found here . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. As cases, hospitalizations and deaths have dropped over the last two months in Minnesota, and vaccinations have increased, the debate over the pros and cons of opening schools has intensified. He said the state is trying to give districts the tools to open and hopes theyll follow suit. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Gov. Some schools in the state even had their winter break early to try and slow the spread of COVID-19 and give their staff members a much-needed break. Ramsey County is not among the Minnesota counties that are seeing the highest case growth. Mueller said a rolling start, where a school might bring back 9th and 10th graders for two weeks before opening classrooms to 11th and 12 graders, is no longer needed. The virus spread put immense pressure on health care workers and hospitals. Some parents have been frustrated their schools havent offered in-person learning. February 4, 2023 - Schools for Equity in Education Schools for Equity in Education February 6, 2023 - Legislative Update "It was another hectic week in St. Paul," but, hey, I don't know how else to kick it off when that line keeps providing the best description of the legislative action. "We've got five weeks before school starts. Photo by Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion.