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Stories from April 7, 2020

In Wisconsin, election goes on despite the coronavirus pandemic

In Wisconsin, election goes on despite the coronavirus pandemic

Voters went to the polls in Wisconsin Tuesday — and election workers staffed them — despite a global pandemic and a stay-at-home order put in place by the state’s governor.
by Dan Kraker

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First 70s: Warmest day so far in 2020 for much of Minnesota

First 70s: Warmest day so far in 2020 for much of Minnesota

Many locations in the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota hit 70 degrees today for the first time in 2020. A cold front arrives Wednesday.
by Paul Huttner

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MN COVID cases top 1,000

It’s now been one month since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the state. There are now more than 1,000 cases, and so much about our lives has changed. MPR News evening update for April 7, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene.

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Drive-in churches an option for faithful who want closeness

Drive-in churches an option for faithful who want closeness

With coronavirus prevention measures shuttering houses of worship, pastors across the country are using that ultimate tool of social distancing — cars — to safely bring their communities closer together.
by The Associated Press

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Insurers expanding telehealth coverage as pandemic forces doctors to improvise

Insurers expanding telehealth coverage as pandemic forces doctors to improvise

Dr. Jon Hallberg says insurers are covering remote checkups that they wouldn’t have a month ago. He also answers our questions on face masks and hydroxychloroquine, a drug used to treat lupus and prevent malaria.
by Tom Crann and Dr. Jon Hallberg

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Lawmakers pass workers’ compensation bill — with cost unresolved

Lawmakers pass workers’ compensation bill — with cost unresolved

The Minnesota House and Senate passed legislation Tuesday to help first responders, health care workers and others get workers’ compensation benefits if they contract COVID-19. However, lawmakers say it’s not clear how the state will pay for the expected costs.
by Tim Pugmire

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COVID-19 death certificate change stirs controversy

COVID-19 death certificate change stirs controversy

Instructions to count deaths from “presumed” COVID-19 cases, not just confirmed cases, are met with acceptance for some and criticism from others.
by Brian Bakst

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Love experts on marriage and dating during a pandemic

Love experts on marriage and dating during a pandemic

Are you feeling overwhelmed by being stuck at home with your spouse and kids? Or maybe you’re feeling lonely as a single person who lives alone. Two relationship experts share how you can build and strengthen relationships, even in a challenging time of isolation.
by Angela Davis and Katie Moritz

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With survival at stake, small business owners frustrated by aid delays

With survival at stake, small business owners frustrated by aid delays

The Paycheck Protection Program is meant to help small businesses keep workers on payroll. But first, businesses have to get the money — a process that has proven difficult for some.
by Danielle Kurtzleben

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Trump touts administration's pandemic handling

Trump touts administration's pandemic handling

Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he wanted to be positive but also that his actions in response to the pandemic came as quickly as practical.
by Barbara Sprunt and Philip Ewing

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Coming up: Medical modeling — Trying to predict the future of a pandemic

Coming up: Medical modeling — Trying to predict the future of a pandemic

We all want answers. How many people could die from COVID-19? And how long will we have to live socially isolated? Leaders use medical models to guide their directives. But the models don’t all say the same thing. Why is this so hard? —
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Attorney: Many ICE detainees at high risk from COVID-19

Attorney: Many ICE detainees at high risk from COVID-19

More than five dozen men held at Sherburne County jail for civil immigration matters want to be released to avoid contracting the novel coronavirus.
by Brandt Williams

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China reports its first day with no new COVID-19 deaths

China reports its first day with no new COVID-19 deaths

The milestone comes a day before the government is set to lift outbound travel restrictions on people in Wuhan, the country's hardest-hit city.
by John Ruwitch

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Groups serving immigrant communities say more help is needed

In Minnesota, thousands of families are trying to adapt to new economic conditions and fears about access to economic and medical aid – in some cases with limited English proficiency. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Ruby Lee and Bo Thao-Urabe for more on the situation faced by immigrant communities around the state.
by Cathy Wurzer and MPR News Staff

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The science behind how we behave in a pandemic

The science behind how we behave in a pandemic

Shock, anger, fear and disbelief are common emotions right now. How do those emotions drive our behavior? And what are some healthy ways to cope when there’s so much uncertainty? An anthropologist and a psychologist offer their insight on how living through a global pandemic changes our behavior.
by Kerri Miller and Marcheta Fornoff

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Grim Reaper comedy 'Melancholia' is surprisingly uplifting

Grim Reaper comedy 'Melancholia' is surprisingly uplifting

Nicholas Gurewitch scratched images into clay with a stylus for this tale of Death's visit to an analyst — who helps him come to terms with Death Jr.'s lack of interest in the family business.
by Etelka Lehoczky

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Jamie Dimon warns 'A bad recession' is coming

Jamie Dimon warns 'A bad recession' is coming

In a letter to shareholders, the JPMorgan Chase CEO applauds the government and the Fed for quick work, but says the pandemic will have devastating consequences for the global economy.
by Jim Zarroli

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Tuesday stays warm, then colder air settles in

Skies will clear Tuesday, bringing a warm and sunny afternoon before the weather turns wet and colder again.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Neuroscientist shares his tips for getting more sleep

Neuroscientist shares his tips for getting more sleep

Neuroscientist Matthew Walker explains the importance of good sleep, and shares tips for getting more of it.

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Could society move toward normalcy before a coronavirus vaccine is ready?

Could society move toward normalcy before a coronavirus vaccine is ready?

The best protection against the coronavirus would be a vaccine. But that's probably at least a year away, even if crash development programs succeed. What can be done in the meantime?
by Joe Palca

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UK's Johnson spends night in ICU; not on ventilator

UK's Johnson spends night in ICU; not on ventilator

Johnson was admitted to St. Thomas' Hospital late Sunday, 10 days after he was diagnosed with COVID-19, the first major world leader to be confirmed to have the virus. He was moved to the ICU Monday after his condition deteriorated.
by The Associated Press

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Storms Tuesday morning give way to sunshine

Storms across parts of Minnesota Tuesday morning are moving out and fog will be lifting, making way for widespread sunshine and mild afternoon temperatures.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Gov. Walz weighing extension of stay-at-home order

He has said he expects to announce within days whether he’ll extend the state’s stay-at-home order – and if so, for how long. The current order expires on Friday at 5 p.m. MPR News morning update for April 7, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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April 7 update on COVID-19 in MN: 34 dead, 64 in ICU; Walz eyes 'refined' stay-home order

April 7 update on COVID-19 in MN: 34 dead, 64 in ICU; Walz eyes 'refined' stay-home order

Gov. Tim Walz offered a glimmer of hope Tuesday on the arc of COVID-19 even as Minnesota’s total cases jumped above 1,000. The governor signaled he’ll extend his current stay-at-home order, with some tweaks, past Friday.
by MPR News Staff

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Daily dose of sweetness: Even in crisis, Minnesotans still won't take the last piece

Sure, Minnesotans have been out stocking up at the grocery stores, making sure they have the necessities. But even in a pandemic, they just can’t shake the “last piece” rule. Here’s a look at the things we’ve left behind.
by Nancy Yang

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‘Churches will stay empty until it's safe’: Martin Co. pastor adjusts ministry amid coronavirus

‘Churches will stay empty until it's safe’: Martin Co. pastor adjusts ministry amid coronavirus

This year, Holy Week comes almost exactly a month after Minnesota confirmed its first case of COVID-19, and several weeks into subsequent social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders. For St. James and many congregations, a time of reunion has become a time of separation.
by Hannah Yang

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Minnesota’s stay-at-home order encourages getting outside, but how far away?

Minnesota’s stay-at-home order encourages getting outside, but how far away?

Outdoor activities like fishing, hiking and biking are explicitly allowed under Minnesota’s stay-at-home order. But that order also limits nonessential travel. So, just how far can people travel to get outside?
by Dan Kraker

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A tiger has coronavirus. Should you worry about your pets?

A tiger has coronavirus. Should you worry about your pets?

Four tigers and three lions at the Bronx Zoo all had one of the symptoms of a respiratory infection: a dry cough. What does this finding mean for cats and dogs?
by Laurel Wamsley

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DNR reviews impacts of farmer’s plan to irrigate cropland in Pineland Sands

DNR reviews impacts of farmer’s plan to irrigate cropland in Pineland Sands

Farmer Tim Nolte wants to irrigate about 300 acres to grow hay and other crops, and graze his cattle. But the request has gotten caught up in a larger debate over the conversion of forests to potato fields in the region, which covers Wadena, Cass, Becker and Hubbard counties in north-central Minnesota.
by Kirsti Marohn

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'Godshot' author explains how fiction helps us face real-world adversity

'Godshot' author explains how fiction helps us face real-world adversity

"Art can help me ask the difficult questions of myself," says Chelsea Bieker. In her debut novel, a devastating drought in a California town has led residents to put their faith in a cult leader.
by Ari Shapiro

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