COVID-19: Coverage of the pandemic from MPR News

The latest news, resources, guides and tips to help you stay up to date on the coronavirus pandemic.

With vaccines now mandated for workplaces, will a travel mandate be next?
Public health officials and infectious disease experts say requiring vaccination for domestic air and rail travel would help slow COVID-19's spread, but the travel industry opposes a vaccine mandate.
COVID-19 in MN: Active cases highest since late April
While the latest numbers are unsettling, the rate of tests coming back positive remains relatively stable — higher than the 5 percent officials find concerning but not leaping as it has in other COVID waves.
White House offers Nicki Minaj call to answer vaccine Qs
The White House offered Wednesday to connect Nicki Minaj with one of the Biden administration's doctors to address her questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, after the Trinidadian-born rapper's erroneous tweet alleging the vaccine causes impotence went viral.
No scientific evidence masks harm kids' health
Experts say there's no scientific evidence showing that masks cause harm to kids' health despite claims to the contrary on social media and elsewhere. Among the unfounded arguments: Masks can foster germs if they become moist or cause unhealthy levels of carbon dioxide. But experts say washing masks routinely keeps them safe and clean.
Labor groups press for front-line worker pay
Minnesota labor unions are turning up the heat on state lawmakers to resolve their differences on pandemic front-line worker pay and start distributing $250 million to essential workers.
The history of vaccination mandates — and the pushback against them
Last week President Joe Biden announced new vaccination mandates as part of his plan to address the latest surge in COVID-19 cases. The mandate received swift backlash from conservative leaders. But vaccine mandates — as well as the backlash to them — have a long history in the U.S.