Stories from April 8, 2020

MN lawmakers reach deal on insulin affordability
Minnesota House and Senate negotiators finalized an agreement Wednesday for supplying insulin to people who cannot afford it.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is extending his stay at home order through May 4. The move adds another 25 days to the two weeks of restrictions he initially imposed. Health officials say social distancing is working and the additional restrictions will push the state’s peak infections into July. MPR News evening update for April 8, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene and Tim Nelson
The loss of ritual
Passover Seder is virtual. Easter services are online. No one can gather for weddings, funerals or birthdays. What happens when a culture loses its rituals?
CDC hospital data point to racial disparity in COVID-19 cases
In a study of the early coronavirus epidemic in the U.S., a third of people who were hospitalized were African American. Top risk factors were high blood pressure and obesity.
Wisconsin worried about spike in virus cases due to election
Wisconsin’s forging ahead with an election in the middle of a pandemic has public health officials, and those who showed up at the polls, worried about whether it will result in a spike in cases of the coronavirus. The state reported Wednesday it has had 99 deaths and 2,756 confirmed cases.
In a pandemic, college students major in uncertainty
Will college seniors get graduation ceremonies? How will graduating high school seniors choose where they want to enroll without campus visits? Host Angela Davis is joined by three guests to talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic has turned higher education on its head.
Vote-by-mail plan for Minnesota gets cool reception
Republicans on a Minnesota House elections committee made it clear that they don’t support Secretary of State Steve Simon’s proposal to expand mail voting this year.
A cold front brings colder air into Minnesota. Forecast models suggest a system could bring snow to southern Minnesota Sunday into Monday.
Stephen King is sorry you feel like you're stuck in a Stephen King novel
The horror writer says he understands why fans have said the COVID-19 pandemic feels like living inside one of his novels. King says he doesn't feel panic or terror, but rather, a "gnawing anxiety."
Celeb chefs unite to feed hungry, help bleeding restaurants
Jose Andres has amassed an A-list network around the world, relying on celebrity chef pals including Rachael Ray, Andrew Zimmern, Guy Fieri and Marcus Samuelsson to feed the hungry and buoy the humble restaurant kitchens across America where many started their careers.
State high court ruling keeps some Minnesota voter data private
A group that claims Minnesota’s elections include ineligible voters won’t get access to voter status information after a Supreme Court decision.
Sanders drops 2020 bid, leaving Biden as likely nominee
Sen. Bernie Sanders, who saw his once strong lead in the Democratic primary evaporate as the party’s establishment lined swiftly up behind rival Joe Biden, ended his presidential bid on Wednesday.
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?
Checking in with Minnesota’s health care workers
For many doctors and nurses, serving on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic means working long hours, worrying about their own health and fearing they'll expose their loved ones. What challenges are they facing? How are they taking care of themselves?
Stay-at-home Seder: Minnesotans find Passover meaning in a pandemic
Seder tables across Minnesota will likely be a little bit smaller this year, as families mark the beginning of Passover in the midst of a global pandemic.
Wednesday brings the return of cooler temperatures, high winds, plus areas of rain and even snow across Minnesota.
Governor Tim Walz today is expected to outline revisions to his stay-at-home order, which is set to expire Friday evening. MPR News morning update for April 8, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.
April 8 update on COVID-19 in MN: 39 dead; Walz extends stay-home order to May 4
The order means bars and restaurants must continue to operate as takeout-only for nearly another month. Landscapers are exempt, so golf courses can be prepped. Said Gov. Tim Walz: “It’s not going to be a typical summer.”
U of M considers budget cuts due to COVID-19 pandemic
Among the first steps, U of M President Joan Gabel announced a possible tuition freeze, one full week of unpaid work for approximately 200 of the university’s senior leaders, and her own temporary 10 percent pay cut starting July 1.
Therapists forge ahead with telehealth — not knowing if they'll be paid
With the stay-at-home order, mental health care has moved from therapists’ offices to the internet or the phone. Private insurance companies are still figuring out exactly what telehealth services they will cover. But when they do, those changes could stick after the coronavirus pandemic ends.
In an age of screens, looking for 'Attention' in all the wrong places
Casey Schwartz writes of her reliance on Adderall and her realization that the focus it brought was not genuine. But she leaves readers wanting to hear more on the relationship of attention and love.
UK's Johnson, suffering from COVID-19, spends 2nd night in ICU
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "I'm confident he'll pull through." Meanwhile, the U.K. on Tuesday set a new high for COVID-19 deaths, with 786 succumbing to the disease.
Celebrated singer-songwriter John Prine has died at 73
John Prine, the ingenious singer-songwriter who explored the heartbreaks, indignities and absurdities of everyday life in “Angel from Montgomery,” “Sam Stone,” “Hello in There” and scores of other indelible tunes, died Tuesday at the age of 73.
Trump issues disaster declaration for Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz had asked Trump to issue the declaration to allow federal funding to flow to the state. Minnesota’s congressional delegation had urged the Trump administration to approve the request.