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.

December 23, 2020 8:36 PM

Millions of Christmas gifts may arrive late due to overload at the Postal Service

"We're really busy. It's been unbearable," sighed Manny Huenchunir, a Postal Service truck driver who was unloading and reloading crates of mail at a post office outside Boston on Tuesday night.

by Tovia Smith

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December 23, 2020 4:03 PM

What's at stake with Trump's threat: COVID-19 relief and a government shutdown

President Donald Trump has introduced a round of Christmas chaos that imperils direct payments to millions of Americans suffering due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

by Domenico Montanaro

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December 23, 2020 2:53 PM

Minnesotans plan for expected federal relief payment

Most Minnesotans are expecting more COVID-19 relief money from the federal government, even as President Donald Trump floats the possibility of vetoing the stimulus package congressional Republicans and Democrats finally settled on. The president says direct payments should be more than three times larger than the $600 the House and Senate came up with.

by Mark Zdechlik

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December 23, 2020 1:37 PM

For overwhelmed and burnt-out COVID contact tracers, help is (hopefully) coming

NPR's latest survey finds the contact tracing workforce now tops 70,000, a dramatic increase in the last two months. But to truly meet the growing demand, new federal funding will be key.

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

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December 23, 2020 11:53 AM

The coronavirus has reached Antarctica. Now it's on every continent.

Thirty-six people stationed at the General Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme Antarctic base had tested positive for the virus, Chilean officials said this week.

by Brakkton Booker

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December 23, 2020 10:05 AM

'There’s always a barrier': One district’s response to student struggles

In a school year that has forced shutdowns and virtual lessons, engagement is faltering and the number of failing grades is doubling. But Northfield Public Schools is experimenting with an extra effort to help students and families to make sure learning is still happening.

by Elizabeth Shockman

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December 23, 2020 6:43 AM

Pfizer to supply U.S. with additional 100M doses of vaccine

Pfizer and BioNTech said Wednesday that they expect to deliver all the doses by July 31.

by The Associated Press

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December 23, 2020 6:30 AM

Trump threatens to torpedo COVID relief with new demands

The president assailed the bipartisan $900 billion package in a video he tweeted out Tuesday night and suggested he may not sign the legislation. He called on lawmakers to increase direct payments for most Americans from $600 to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples.

by The Associated Press

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December 23, 2020 5:31 AM

'Step in the right direction' as Minnesota nursing home residents get first vaccine doses

The first residents and staff at a St. Cloud nursing home and a Prairie Island Indian Community assisted living facility have received their initial doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. It’s good news for long-term care facilities, which have been hardest hit by the virus. Sixty-five percent of the state's 4,896 deaths have been among long-term care residents.

by Peter Cox