MN HEALTH DEPT UPDATE ON CORONAVIRUS
287 confirmed virus cases, up from 262 yesterday. 26 in hospital, 12 in ICU.
More than 11,000 virus tests so far, but much more needs to be done.
MN Dept of Homeland Security: Looking at alternate care sites around the state, preparing to move equipment: "Sites, stuff and staff."
MN State Patrol delivering emergency mask supplies to law enforcement around the state.
If you want to know if your work is essential, ask question at criticalsectors@state.mn.us
MN Dept of Employment and Economic Development: About 28% of Minnesotans will be jobless during next two weeks. Many businesses are paying workers during business stoppage.
Unemployment applications in Minnesota during last week: 164,786
MN Gov Walz says MN could have expected 74,000 deahts *without any restrictions* or stay at home orders.
Liquor stores will remain open under MN Stay At Home order. Many, many questions from Twitter on this one.
Workers at many large manufacturing companies will need to stay home for two weeks, still working out details says Governor
Gov Walz says if he contracts coronovirus and cannot do his work, power transfers to Lt Governor @LtGovFlanagan
Walz is under self-quarantine at Governor's Residence after a member of his security detail tested positive for coronovirus.
MN Health Dept describes testing progress as "quite respectable" despite continuing supply chain problems. Private labs like Mayo Clinic stepped in to help ease delays.
Walz, responding to Republican criticism of his Stay At Home order: "As Governor I have to make best decisions that I can."
Walz: "Decisions that I make will prevent the deaths of thousands of Minnesotans."
Walz says some Governors want to bar press from conference calls with the President and so might not speak freely. "Some of the Governors are fearful of speaking in front of the President."
How to enforce Stay At Home order? Walz says there is no need for enforcement right now, because most comply, but preparing to enforce (with a ticket?) if necessary.
Walz: "If people disobey the Stay At Home order: "We don't want them to be arrested....We certainly have the ability to do so, but we don't want to do that."
Walz says virus crisis could last 150 days; Minnesota is on Day 4.
Walz says modeling shows 74,000 people will die if Minnesota does nothing, but says he does not yet have estimates showing how many will die if Minnesotans follow Stay At Home order.
Should say *how many fewer will die* if Minnesotans follow restrictions to avoid the virus.
END OF MINNESOTA HEALTH DEPARTMENT COVID-19 UPDATE 3/25/2020
