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Stories from March 31, 2020

Should we all be wearing masks in public? Health experts revisit the question

Should we all be wearing masks in public? Health experts revisit the question

There are rumblings that U.S. health officials may start encouraging Americans to wear face masks to cut down on asymptomatic spread. But with continued shortages, it's not clear how we'd do that.
by Allison Aubrey, Huo Jingnan and Carmel Wroth

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Data: How COVID-19 has affected group care facilities in Minnesota

Data: How COVID-19 has affected group care facilities in Minnesota

Nearly 10 percent of the state’s 629 confirmed cases have been in congregate care settings, state health officials say. Of the 12 deaths, 11 have been people in these kinds of facilities.
by Peter Cox

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Kids under threat: Virus hitting juvenile detention centers

Kids under threat: Virus hitting juvenile detention centers

For the tens of thousands of kids locked up in juvenile detention centers and other correctional facilities across America, the coronavirus is on its way. Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, Texas and Connecticut have reported positive tests among youth or staff.
by The Associated Press

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What you need to do to get your government stimulus check

What you need to do to get your government stimulus check

The IRS and the Treasury Department say Americans will start receiving their economic impact checks in the next three weeks. Most people don't need to do anything to get the money. But some — such as senior citizens and low-income people who might not traditionally file tax returns — do need to take action.
by The Associated Press

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Sign of the times: Patients increasingly requesting refills for anxiety and asthma meds

Sign of the times: Patients increasingly requesting refills for anxiety and asthma meds

Our weekly medical analyst, Dr. Jon Hallberg, says many people who don’t have chronic asthma are requesting asthma medications, fueling concern about a potential shortage of the drugs.
by Tom Crann and Dr. Jon Hallberg

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Essential workers say employers not following work-from-home, safety precautions

Essential workers say employers not following work-from-home, safety precautions

During the first week of Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order, workers are questioning whether their jobs are truly essential and say they fear contracting the coronavirus at work. Others say their employers won’t allow them to work from home.
by Catharine Richert

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Do you know how to avoid coronavirus scammers?

Do you know how to avoid coronavirus scammers?

As the new coronavirus has spread, so have pandemic-related scams. Bogus natural cures, fake charities, faulty medical masks — these scams and more have popped up all over the country.
by Angela Davis and Katie Moritz

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Builder of controversial Keystone XL pipeline says it's moving forward

Builder of controversial Keystone XL pipeline says it's moving forward

The final decision to build the project comes after a decade of protests and political reversals in the U.S. Now critics say construction poses a new risk with the coronavirus pandemic.
by Jeff Brady

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Minnesota nursing homes face challenges as coronavirus spreads

Most COVID-19 deaths reported in the state so far have originated in long-term care settings. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Patti Cullen about the situation in Minnesota’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
by Cathy Wurzer

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More mild and sunny weather for Tuesday

Sunshine continues for most of Tuesday and temperatures will remain above average.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Teachers hitting glitches online

It’s the second day of distance learning across the state, and districts are running into challenges. MPR News morning update for March 31, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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Stranded cruise ship hit by virus begs Florida to dock

Stranded cruise ship hit by virus begs Florida to dock

The Zaandam's plans to dock as early as Wednesday in Florida are still up in the air but have already been rebuked by local officials and Gov. Ron DeSantis, who says health care resources are stretched too thin.
by The Associated Press

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With the 'I Am' books, you are a hero too

With the 'I Am' books, you are a hero too

Our kids' books columnist Juanita Giles reports that, stuck at home with her family, she's turned to the I am series, by Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos, for stories about relatable heroes.
by Juanita Giles

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March 31 update on COVID-19 in MN: 12 dead, 26 in ICU; possible late May peak

March 31 update on COVID-19 in MN: 12 dead, 26 in ICU; possible late May peak

Gov. Tim Walz says the state’s modeling suggests a late May peak for hospitalizations, but preparations are moving now in case it comes earlier. Officials say they’re identifying sites around Minnesota suitable for field hospitals.
by MPR News Staff

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A genetic test for a microscopic problem came with a jumbo price tag

A genetic test for a microscopic problem came with a jumbo price tag

Molecular diagnostics are at the frontier of medical science. But along with precise information about health, the tests raise billing questions that can create a minefield for patients.
by Liz Szabo

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Daily dose of sweetness: Minnesota Orchestra reminds you of the light

Even though the coronavirus pandemic has put a pause on their season, musicians from the Minnesota Orchestra are finding ways to share their tunes with you.
by Nancy Yang

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'We'll get through this': Tribal nations prepare for COVID-19

'We'll get through this': Tribal nations prepare for COVID-19

Tribal nations across Minnesota are mobilizing to prepare for COVID-19 — with limited resources and a vulnerable population.
by Dan Gunderson

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Minnesota couple fights illness, waits for cruise to end after fellow passengers die

Minnesota couple fights illness, waits for cruise to end after fellow passengers die

A northern Minnesota couple and around 400 passengers remain stuck on a cruise ship with no idea of when or where they’ll dock. Four people aboard Holland America’s Zaandam have died, hundreds of others have fallen ill, and at least two have tested positive for the coronavirus.
by Matt Sepic

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100th anniversary commemoration of Duluth lynchings postponed by COVID-19

100th anniversary commemoration of Duluth lynchings postponed by COVID-19

Organizers were planning to bring 10,000 people together on the streets of downtown Duluth on June 15 — at the site where three black men were lynched by a mob of thousands of people 100 years earlier. Now the day of remembrance will take place in 2021.
by Dan Kraker

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NCAA Division 1 athletes get another shot at spring sports

NCAA Division 1 athletes get another shot at spring sports

Schools have been authorized to offer spring sport athletes whose schedule was shut down by the coronavirus an extra year of eligibility so they can play an extra season.
by Tom Goldman

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Tomie DePaola, author of 'Strega Nona,' has died

Tomie DePaola, author of 'Strega Nona,' has died

The author and illustrator — who, by his own reckoning, worked on more than 270 titles — died Monday at age 85. Among his classics is the Caldecott winner “Strega Nona,” a seemingly ancient folk tale.
by Anastasia Tsioulcas

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