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Stories from April 16, 2020

U of M prepared to test up to 10,000 samples a day for COVID-19, antibodies

Walz has said he wants to see 5,000 tests per day, as part of an effort to reopen some businesses in the coming weeks. MPR News morning update for April 15, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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How to stay healthy when your child, spouse or roommate has COVID-19

How to stay healthy when your child, spouse or roommate has COVID-19

Sharing a home with someone who has COVID-19 raises your risk of catching the virus. But the sick person needs your support, as well as good hygiene skills. Try these "best practice" tips.
by Maria Godoy

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White House unveils coronavirus guidelines to reopen the country

White House unveils coronavirus guidelines to reopen the country

The guidelines suggest three phases for states to reopen, with progressively relaxed levels of social distancing. Each phase would require a 14-day period of a "downward trajectory" of cases to advance to the next one.
by Philip Ewing

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Walz signs bill to allow beer and wine takeout sales

Walz signs bill to allow beer and wine takeout sales

Gov. Tim Walz on Friday signed a bill that allows bars and restaurants to temporarily sell wine and beer with takeout food orders. Starting Saturday, customers can purchase one bottle of wine or up to a six-pack of beer, cider or hard seltzer with their food.
by Tim Pugmire

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Warming trend begins; more 60s ahead

Warming trend begins; more 60s ahead

Our weather pattern shifts to a much warmer scenario over the next week.
by Paul Huttner

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Evers extends Wisconsin stay-at-home order until May 26

Evers extends Wisconsin stay-at-home order until May 26

Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday extended Wisconsin's stay-at-home order for another month, keeping nonessential businesses closed until after the Memorial Day holiday weekend to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
by The Associated Press

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7 Midwest states to partner on reopening the economy

7 Midwest states to partner on reopening the economy

Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday that they will coordinate on reopening their state economies, after similar pacts were made earlier this week in the Northeast and on the West Coast. Thursday's announcement covers Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.
by The Associated Press

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Life Time CEO: Open the economy within 30 days

A number of local executives will be advising the White House in the coming weeks on how to restart the economy, while protecting people’s health. They're part of a 219-member panel named by the Trump Administration Tuesday. Among the names on the list is Life Time Fitness Founder and CEO Bahram Akradi. Akradi spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer Thursday morning.

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Weekend weather looking better; update on Thursday tornado drills

Weekend weather looking better; update on Thursday tornado drills

Many communities in Minnesota and some Wisconsin communities will hear severe weather sirens this Thursday. We have details on the timing of the sirens. We also have details on your weekend weather, which is looking pretty good.
by Ron Trenda

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Where does Walz get that executive power for COVID-19 actions?

Where does Walz get that executive power for COVID-19 actions?

The peacetime authority of Minnesota governors has been on the books for decades, but no governor has employed it as much as Gov. Tim Walz in the coronavirus fight.
by Brian Bakst

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To stay in touch with students, teachers bypass computers, pick up phones

To stay in touch with students, teachers bypass computers, pick up phones

School districts are going to great lengths to keep students and families engaged and connected. But when it's not possible to get all online, they're turning back to an earlier device: the telephone.
by Elissa Nadworny

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U of M says it can do widespread COVID-19 testing with homegrown tech

U of M says it can do widespread COVID-19 testing with homegrown tech

University of Minnesota experts say with $20 million in state funding they could soon begin testing up to 10,000 people per day for the coronavirus and another 10,000 per day for the presence of antibodies that indicate they have recovered from COVID-19.
by Tim Nelson

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Counter Stories: COVID-19 is hitting communities of color hard

Counter Stories: COVID-19 is hitting communities of color hard

Whether it's the illness itself, the racism that comes with it, or the unsafe conditions for workers now deemed essential, the coronavirus is exacerbating racial injustices.
by Jo Erickson and Marianne Combs

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Local farmers, reliant on shuttered schools and restaurants, find new markets

Local farmers, reliant on shuttered schools and restaurants, find new markets

Thousands of Minnesota farms grow food that supply schools, restaurants and families with everything from meat to vegetables to flour. The coronavirus pandemic has turned many of those markets upside down.
by Dan Gunderson

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Warmer weather finally on the way to Minnesota

Thursday starts a slow warming trend that will finally bring temperatures back to average by the weekend. Next week looks predominantly dry.
by Nicole Mitchell

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10 years of spectacular U.S. job growth nearly wiped out in 4 weeks

10 years of spectacular U.S. job growth nearly wiped out in 4 weeks

The number of people filing for unemployment climbed by another 5.2 million, as the toll of the nation's economic dive continues to mount. In the past four weeks, 22 million have filed claims.
by Jim Zarroli

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Temperatures finally start to rise Thursday

Thursday will finally bring dry skies across Minnesota, along with a fair amount of sunshine and moderating temperatures.
by Nicole Mitchell

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MN Dept. of Corrections to begin releasing some inmates in response to pandemic

Several dozen inmates are expected to be released in the coming days. All were convicted of nonviolent crimes, and are within 90 days of their original release date. MPR News morning update for April 16, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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Smithfield Foods closes plants in Wisconsin, Missouri

Smithfield Foods closes plants in Wisconsin, Missouri

Smithfield Foods will temporarily close its plants in Cudahy, Wis., and Martin City, Mo., because of the coronavirus pandemic. Smithfield said a small number of employees at both plants have tested positive for COVID-19. The company’s Sioux Falls, S.D., plant is closed indefinitely after an outbreak there.
by The Associated Press

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What's it going to take to end the shutdown? 5 keys to containing coronavirus

What's it going to take to end the shutdown? 5 keys to containing coronavirus

Political leaders want to reopen the economy soon but public health experts say we first need to set up systems to prevent new flare-ups of the coronavirus. Here's what needs to get done.
by Allison Aubrey and Selena Simmons-Duffin

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Unemployment money not reaching millions of people who applied

Unemployment money not reaching millions of people who applied

Nearly 17 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits in recent weeks, but a large portion have yet to receive any money. Freelancers and gig workers face some of the longest delays.
by Chris Arnold

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For centenarian survivor of 1918 flu pandemic, coronavirus is just another 'problem'

For centenarian survivor of 1918 flu pandemic, coronavirus is just another 'problem'

Joe Newman was 5 when the 1918 flu pandemic broke out. Now 107, he and his 100-year-old fiancée are living in lockdown together in Florida and have a decidedly long view on the current crisis.
by Nellie Gilles and Joe Richman

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ACLU sues to release Moose Lake inmates due to COVID-19

ACLU sues to release Moose Lake inmates due to COVID-19

According to the Corrections Department’s database, 12 inmates in Moose Lake are confirmed positive for the coronavirus and another 31 inmates are presumed positive.
by The Associated Press

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