MPR News PM Update
April 1, 2020

A wintry storm in April? A strong storm is expected to cut its way across Minnesota tomorrow and Friday, bringing rain, snow and even ice! Eastern Minnesota has a better chance for rain Thursday, then colder temperatures and spreading snow or ice mixing in during the day Friday. The entire state will be noticeably colder by Friday afternoon.


COVID-19 in Minnesota today: 689 cases confirmed; 17 deaths; more than half of total recovered. The median age of Minnesota’s confirmed COVID-19 cases is 47, but the median age of those who’ve needed hospitalization is 64, and it is 84 for those who’ve died of the disease. Read the latest on Minnesota’s COVID-19 situation and response here

Some Minnesotans take advantage of staying home -- by tackling home improvement projects. A paint store owner in St. Paul says that he’s been seeing unprecedentedly high demand for paint recently amid the COVID-19 outbreak and the state’s stay-at-home order. “I have been in the business 41 years, nothing anywhere near like this … People were lined up, giving themselves some more room,” says Abbott Paint and Carpet owner Kevin Abbott. 

This man has been socially distanced for 50 years. And he has some tips for you. Billy Barr lives in Gothic, Colo., and is the only resident of the town. While Barr's been called a hermit, he doesn't consider himself one. He occasionally interacts with skiers who pass through, he talks to his sister on the phone, and he works for a nearby lab. Barr has tips on social distancing, but he's the first to say they may well be entirely useless.

How are you keeping your spirits up in this time of social distancing?Share your story and words of encouragement with us here or email ebright@mpr.org.
— Jiwon Choi, MPR News
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Latest on COVID-19 in MN: 17 dead, 27 in ICU; Walz to skip fishing opener events
Gov. Tim Walz says while the fishing season will go on, he’s canceling the Governor’s Fishing Opener weekend events that had been set for May 7-10 in Otter Tail County. He said he’d make the call early-to-mid next week on whether to extend his stay-home order beyond April 10.
MN COVID-19 hotspot isn’t in the metro:It’s in one southern Minn. county
Data:  How COVID-19 has affected group care facilities in Minnesota
Mayo Clinic: Researchers expect COVID-19 antibody test to be ready Monday
 
Less taxing: There’s more time to file 2019 returns amid COVID-19
Taxpayers have more time to get their 2019 income taxes in order, but Minnesota officials hope people file as soon as they can to get their refund or prevent a state revenue pinch.
 
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Minnesota tops nation in census response — with a familiar rival
The two Midwestern neighbors both have had more than 46 percent response rates to the questionnaire. That’s higher than any other state in the nation.
 
Watch live: After warning of 'hard days' ahead, coronavirus task force to brief media
The White House coronavirus task force returns to brief reporters Wednesday, a day after offering a "sobering" preview of the weeks and months ahead.

The science behind: 14-day quarantine after possible COVID-19 exposure
Feds warn: Merchants to not make coronavirus treatment claims
More: Justice Department looking into senator's stock sell-off
 
In Moorhead, city bus drivers pitch in to deliver meals

Thousands of senior citizens across the state depend on daily meal delivery to help them stay in their homes. But many of the people who do that work are retired themselves. Tuesday morning in Moorhead, city bus drivers were helping deliver meals — and volunteers stepped forward to keep the service going.

More local help:Local chefs team up with schools to provide spring break fare
From Sahan Journal:  Volunteers at Hmong-owned City Tailor make masks for Twin Cities medical workers

 
Essay: A father's wait and worry for baby's arrival during pandemic
MPR News reporter John Enger’s wife was nine months pregnant when Minnesota got its first case of COVID-19. The timing was not ideal. No one could predict the world would slide into a global pandemic that would make a new parent’s worry compound.

Baby on the way: Coronavirus forces pregnant women to change birth plans
Pandemic's impact: Pregnant women worry about labor, delivery and babies
 
I-94 to close between Highway 280, I-35E in St. Paul this weekend
The closure will allow crews to remove the northbound side of the Dale Street bridge. Another weekend closure is planned for later this year so that crews can remove the other side of the bridge.
 

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