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.

CDC says schools can now space students 3 feet apart, rather than 6
In many places, the 6-foot guidance was interpreted as requiring schools to operate on part-time schedules in order to reduce class sizes. A 3-foot rule would allow many more schools to fully reopen.
March 19 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccinations rise; cases, hospitalizations up
“We are in a race between the variants and the vaccine,” and the actions Minnesotans take to check the spread of the disease will be critical in the coming weeks, the state’s infectious disease director said Friday.
4 questions to help sort through the ethics of getting a COVID vaccine before you’re eligible
Opportunities to get the COVID-19 vaccine are expanding, but not everyone is eligible yet. Still, people are sometimes finding themselves in situations that might allow them to jump the line. What questions should you consider, according to an ethicist, if you find yourself in a similar circumstance? 
Another perk of getting COVID shot: Some MN businesses offer incentives for vaccinations
In an effort to speed up recovery from the pandemic, some Minnesota business owners are offering cash incentives for COVID-19 vaccinations. And they're not just going to employees — some are rewarding customers who get vaccinated, too.
Addressing racial divides in health care seen as key to boosting Black vaccination
In many states, there are racial disparities in who has received a COVID-19 vaccine. A public health advocate says lack of health care access is a bigger impediment than a hesitancy to get vaccinated.
COVID-19 spreads quickly. So does social media information about vaccine availability
A recent vaccine drive to offer appointments in underserved Minneapolis neighborhoods led to confusion and chaos. Sahan Journal found out how this effort started out right — and then went wrong.
I got the COVID-19 vaccine. What can I safely do?
People who've been vaccinated for COVID-19 can enjoy small gatherings again, but should keep wearing a mask and social distancing in public. That's according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.