. @GovTimWalz has started the presentation on his COVID19 restrictions. He'll take questions in a separate event later (I am not in the room but will tweet highlights).
"Rest assured, this pandemic will end. This pandemic is starting to transfer. But there is a lot of work left to be done," he says. "We are not out of the woods yet.
Walz pointing to a chart showing a big level of case growth in November followed by a gradual dip in December.
"That dropoff has been steeper than our surrounding states," Walz says.
True @dhmontgomery ?
"That dropoff has been steeper than our surrounding states," Walz says.
True @dhmontgomery ?
"The evidence is pretty strong as I said you are making a difference," Walz says, noting that community spread is still higher than the danger thresholds. "We're not even out of the high-risk category. All the work we did. All the things that the pause did, still didn't do it."
"I hear people keep say this 'You keep moving the goal posts, governor, about what we're supposed to do in this.' My response to that is the game continues to change. And it's no game, it's a virus that takes lives."
"There is nothing fair about COVID-19. And where it impacts certain industries more than others it feels incredibly painful to those industries because it is."
Walz cites passage of #mnleg relief package this week as one response. He signed it today.
Walz cites passage of #mnleg relief package this week as one response. He signed it today.
If I'm understanding Walz correctly, the rolling plan to get elementary kids back in the classroom as of Jan. 18 (perhaps a couple or few grades at a time to start) won't prevent districts that were moving in that direction sooner.
Walz on outdoor dining in winter.
"I know we're in Minnesota. And I know it's the middle of December. I know this doesn't make folks whole. But like so many of these things we're trying to move as much as we can to mitigate the risk, to provide some of that economic activity."
"I know we're in Minnesota. And I know it's the middle of December. I know this doesn't make folks whole. But like so many of these things we're trying to move as much as we can to mitigate the risk, to provide some of that economic activity."
In Q&A, Walz says outdoor dining/service request came at request of breweries/brewpubs. "That was a request to us made by them."
"I live in Minnesota, too, Tom (Hauser). It's cold outside. People don't want to eat outside a lot of time," acknowledging many places won't do it
"I live in Minnesota, too, Tom (Hauser). It's cold outside. People don't want to eat outside a lot of time," acknowledging many places won't do it
About those that will open inside despite the executive order, Walz says he knows businesses are desperate but they should follow this order as they would for other operation inspections. "We have these things because it protects the broader good."
Walz says the violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis. He says the vast majority of businesses are complying with the orders.
Earlier in thread is a GOP #mnleg response. Here is what DFL House leaders @melissahortman and @_RyanWinkler have to say about new Walz measures. 
When pressed about why the actions are necessary given the slowdown in #COVID19 infections in recent days, Walz defends continued mitigation: "We went from really horrendous to just horrendous."
He thinks the trend lines will probably return to pre-surge levels in Feb.
He thinks the trend lines will probably return to pre-surge levels in Feb.
"Where the hell are people getting infected if in none of these places?" @CallaghanPeter asks when bringing up industry objections to measures citing low infection rates in their midst.
"In a forest fire it is very hard to find the hotspot when everything is on fire," Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says in a very lengthy response to the data arguments. She says macro-level data is consistent even if in dispute.
Walz says there has been "conversations" with tribal entities about casinos remaining open. I'm not sure if he got to the point of @TheoKeith question about the apparent contradictions.
Also Theo: "Do you feel like the vast majority of the state still views these orders as legitimate?"
Walz: "Certainly, Minnesotans understand. they understand the science behind this. There may be a little numbness."
He adds "there certainly is no pressure in doing all this."
Walz: "Certainly, Minnesotans understand. they understand the science behind this. There may be a little numbness."
He adds "there certainly is no pressure in doing all this."
From @peterncox: Is Jan 10 the next refresh point or could they be revised sooner?
Walz: The discussions and evaluation of data is ongoing. The 10th is a post-holiday lookout. If trajectory continues, "we're going to adjust popular or not to where the pandemic is."
Walz: The discussions and evaluation of data is ongoing. The 10th is a post-holiday lookout. If trajectory continues, "we're going to adjust popular or not to where the pandemic is."
Back on casinos, @thauserkstp asks if direct pressure for them to be closed has been applied?
Walz: "I don't apply pressure on anything for sovereign nations. I treat them as the sovereign nations they are. ...I share our data. I encourage."
MN lacks enforcement authority there
Walz: "I don't apply pressure on anything for sovereign nations. I treat them as the sovereign nations they are. ...I share our data. I encourage."
MN lacks enforcement authority there
Walz closes with a plea for patience and understanding as vaccines come online: "We're in a 100 year pandemic that is still raging across the country. ... We're losing an average of 60 Minnesotans a day and our health care numbers, the capacity, is still razor thin."
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