Good morning. The day brought another set of measures aimed at addressing the coronavirus outbreak. Here's a recap:
1. Walz orders bars and restaurants closed. Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that the state will temporarily close bars, restaurants and other venues that serve dine-in guests — and introduced a measure to help employees of those businesses — in the state’s ongoing effort to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19. The governor’s latest executive order requires bars, restaurants, gyms, coffee shops, breweries and other venues to close to dine-in guests as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. It extends until Friday, March 27, at 5 p.m. — but Walz said it’s likely that this is just the beginning. “I don’t see a situation … where there wouldn’t be an extension on these dates,” he said. The measure allows businesses to continue takeout and delivery services. It does not cover grocery stores, convenience stores or pharmacies, the governor said. MPR News
2. Legislature passes emergency health care bill. The state House and Senate passed an emergency funding bill early Tuesday that provides $200 million for a health care response fund and Minnesota’s public health response contingency account to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The bill has been sent to the governor for his signature. “While each of us is working as hard as we can to decrease the risk of transmission, we must ensure our health care providers have the resources they need to take care of Minnesotans who may be afflicted with COVID-19,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park. “These investments are critical to addressing this pandemic and making sure Minnesotans who get sick get the care they need.” The bill gives the Minnesota Department of Health $150 million to make grants to providers for costs related to the pandemic. Eligible providers include health care or long-term care facilities, clinics, providers, pharmacies, ambulance services and health systems. MPR News
3. Prisoner release possible. Gov. Tim Walz on Monday, March 16, said he was in discussions with public safety and judiciary officials to allow some nonviolent jail inmates out amid the coronavirus pandemic. Walz and Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington on Monday told reporters they'd spoken with Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, officials in the Department of Corrections, as well as members of the judiciary and counties, to determine whether allowing those with minor, nonviolent offenses could be released. The State Public Defender's Office over the weekend made a similar push, saying jails could become especially dangerous for older inmates or those with health concerns as the disease spreads. "Those are conversations we're having," Walz said. "Nothing from the administration has been decided yet other than every single thing that can slow the spread of this disease and bend this curve that doesn't put public safety at risk we are exploring." Duluth News Tribune
4. Changes recommended for home care program. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and state lawmakers should take action to strengthen oversight of a $1 billion program that provides home caregiving services for thousands of vulnerable Minnesotans who depend on the services to live independently, according to a state audit report released Monday. The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA), an independent, nonpartisan arm of the Legislature, found several gaps in oversight and troubling inconsistencies within the state’s personal care assistance (PCA) program, which helps people with disabilities and chronic illnesses with basic activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating and dressing. Star Tribune
5. Denting the shortage of youth psychiatric beds. During her 16 years working at the adult psychiatric hospital in Anoka, Paula Marsh-Geurts often thought, "If only we could've got them when they were younger." Now there's hope, she said, with the opening in East Bethel this month of Cambia Hills, Minnesota's first psychiatric residential treatment facility specifically designed for children and teens. "This is about children being saved, lives being saved," said Marsh-Geurts, a behavior intervention specialist at Cambia Hills. Kids between the ages of 7 and 17 with depression, anxiety, autism and other severe mental health conditions will get treatment at the $26 million 60-bed facility, designed to help fill gaps in services for youth who often cycle through emergency rooms or resort to out-of-state care. The Minnesota Department of Human Services, at the direction of the Legislature, selected Cambia Hills as one of three new psychiatric facilities for youth. Star Tribune | 