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.

Retiree checks to rise 1.3% in 2021 amid coronavirus fallout
Social Security recipients will get a modest 1.3 percent cost-of living-increase in 2021, but that might be small comfort amid worries about the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences for older people. Government estimates released Tuesday show the increase amounts to $20 a month for the average retired worker. 
'This is an opportunity': Fareed Zakaria on 'Lessons For A Post-Pandemic World'
The CNN host and author says COVID-19 has widened the inequality gap. "The most important piece of what the federal government can do is to stabilize these people's lives with direct aid," he says.
 Walz: Loosening restrictions about 'striking a balance' between data, follow-through
On Monday, the state confirmed more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases for the fifth straight day. The spike comes as state officials relax some restrictions, including visits to nursing homes.
The move by Eli Lilly came less than 24 hours after Johnson & Johnson paused further dosing in all of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate clinical trials while it investigated a volunteer's illness.
Minnesota to allow more visits to nursing homes, long-term care facilities
More people soon will be able to visit loved ones in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The Minnesota Department of Health says the changes are set to go into effect on Saturday.