March 23, 2020
We can enjoy spring weather tomorrow -- at least some sunshine through your windows at home. While many Minnesotans are staying home amid the COVID-19 outbreak, spring has been coming to the state. Highs tomorrow will range from the upper 40s in northern Minnesota to mid-50 in southern half of the state. We’ll also get some mixed sunshine tomorrow. A great opportunity for getting outdoors, just make sure you’re following guidance on social distancing. COVID-19 in Minnesota today: Walz self-quarantining; says up to 80 percent of Minnesotans could get virus. Gov. Tim Walz provided updates on Minnesota’s COVID-19 situation and response via a conference call with other state officials because he himself was in contact with someone who’s tested positive. He issued orders halting evictions and establishing emergency loans for small businesses to minimize damage to those businesses while the state closes restaurants, bars and other establishments to slow the spread of the coronavirus. COVID-19 hits Minnesota officials, family members. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said her brother died after getting the virus, and Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said her husband John is hospitalized with COVID-19. "Please consider the possibility that you are carrying the virus and don't know it, and then you walk by the next Ron, my big brother, in public," Flanagan wrote in her Instagram post. Metro Transit is reducing its service by 40 percent this week. Starting Wednesday, its bus service will operate on what is usually their Saturday schedule, and blue and green line trains will run every 20 minutes throughout the day. There is no overnight service from 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. How are you doing during this COVID-19 pandemic? We want to hear from you. Help us get a better idea of how you are impacted and what information will be most important and useful to you by taking this survey. — Jiwon Choi, MPR News | 