Health

Health
Officials implore Tyson to close Iowa pork plant amid virus outbreak
More than a dozen Iowa elected officials on Friday implored Tyson Fresh Meats to close its Waterloo pork processing plant, saying the coronavirus is spreading among workers and is endangering both employees and the surrounding community.
In this week's coronavirus FAQ installment: Can sunlight kill the coronavirus? What are the coronavirus risks of using an elevator? Can I safely let a repair person into my home?
April 18 update on COVID-19 in MN: Cases spike in SW Minnesota; statewide death toll now at 121
Minnesota health officials said Saturday that 10 more people in the state have died from COVID-19, bringing the statewide death toll to 121. Meanwhile, more than 140 new confirmed cases were reported Saturday — including a spike in southwestern Minnesota’s Nobles County.
Photos: Pro-Trump protesters urge Gov. Walz to 'Liberate Minnesota'
Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the governor’s residence in St. Paul Friday afternoon, calling for Gov. Tim Walz to reopen the economy and lift his stay-at-home order. The rally came shortly after President Trump urged his supporters to defy Walz’s order, tweeting “Liberate Minnesota!”
`LIBERATE!': Trump pushes states to lift virus restrictions
“LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” “LIBERATE VIRGINIA,” the president said in a tweet-storm in which he also lashed out at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for criticizing the federal response. Cuomo “should spend more time `doing' and less time `complaining,'” the president said.
A primer on protective masks
In an effort to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, lots of people are busy making masks. 3M is trying to keep up with the demand for the N95 respirator mask. The University of Minnesota is designing and planning to manufacture an alternative to the N95. And ordinary citizens are making their own homemade masks.
Giving, saving, bills: How Minnesotans are spending their stimulus checks
MPR News asked Minnesotans what they’re going to do with their federal coronavirus stimulus money, and you responded in droves — we received well over 100 replies to queries on our website and on Twitter.