MPR News Update
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March 17, 2020

Good morning and welcome to a new normal in Minnesota. Here’s what you need to know to start your day.


Sunny and calm, until the night. Twin Cities highs in the lower 40s during the day, but a 50 percent chance of snow and lows in the lower 30s a night. Statewide highs during the day range from lower 30s to mid-40s in most places, with a chance of snow or rain across most of the state in the evening. More on Updraft. | Forecast


Bars, restaurants, gyms and other venues must close to dine-in guests by 5 p.m. Tuesday. That’s Gov. Tim Walz’s most recent order to curb the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Grocers, convenience stores and pharmacies may stay open.


The closures will last until Friday, March 27  — at least. “I don’t see a situation … where there wouldn’t be an extension on these dates,” Walz said.


No gatherings of more than 10 people, says the White House. President Trump is recommending all people in the U.S. also avoid discretionary travel in a new set of guidelines he unveiled Monday. They last for at least two more weeks.


"It seems to me if we do a really good job ... it could be July, August" before the pandemic lets up. That’s from Trump, who has increased the severity of his response after criticism from public health officials and Democrats.


Minnesota has confirmed 54 cases of COVID-19, but testing is sparse. That number is increasing every day, as have health care professionals and patients’ frustration over limited access to coronavirus tests. “It is possible that I do have the virus, considering my travel history and symptoms, but without the test, I am not being accounted for,” Victoria Granger, 24, told reporter Catharine Richert after experiencing respiratory symptoms following international travel. “I fear that this outbreak is so much bigger than is being reported because people like me are not being tested.”


If you’ve lost work due to the coronavirus, you may apply for unemployment. Workers may apply for benefits if they’ve lost work or had hours reduced due to coronavirus, if they have COVID-19 or have been exposed to it, or if they have been away from work caring for sick family members or due to being quarantined.


Apply for unemployment benefits ASAP. Delaying could mean you wind up losing some benefits, says the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.


Donations and volunteering can help those in need during the outbreak. Tim Nelson reports on how those who are able can help others with everything from food to supplies to logistics.


Parents: There are plenty of ways to keep your kids learning and engaged during the school closures. Virtual events and learning offer myriad education options, and I wrote about some of them here. And for some more community, join our parenting Facebook group.

-- Cody Nelson, MPR News

Minnesota hospitals plan for 'stages' of COVID-19 patients, warn of a possible surge
The state's hospital systems are preparing for what they know will be a difficult test from the novel coronavirus. Hospital leaders say they anticipate a lot of need, but are worried about a surge in COVID-19 patients that could tax the equipment they need to do their jobs safely.
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Minnesota House, Senate pass emergency COVID-19 funding bill
The bill gives the Minnesota Department of Health $150 million to make grants to providers for costs related to the pandemic. An additional $50 million will go to the public health response contingency account.
Myth-busting: You won’t get COVID-19 from your tap water
As concern grows over the spread of COVID-19, many people across Minnesota and the U.S. have been stocking up on items like food, cleaning supplies and bottled water. But why water? We asked some experts about water and COVID-19, and here’s what we learned. | Don't drink bleach: 4 myths about the coronavirus
How to be alone, but not lonely, despite the coronavirus
As "social distancing" becomes common practice because of the new coronavirus, people are finding ways to stay connected and fight isolation. | Self-quarantine? Isolation? Social distancing? What they mean and when to do them
'Every step you take is prayer': As coronavirus spreads, women lead virtual dance for healing
As the world continues to grapple with the rapid spread of COVID-19, a group of Indigenous women gathered over the weekend — separately — to dance for healing. The dance they shared has its roots in another global pandemic, a century ago.
What's on the radio today?
9 a.m. — MPR News with Kerri Miller

Public health officials and government agencies are concerned about hospitals and how they would handle a possible surge in seriously ill patients with COVID-19, especially in terms of equipment like beds and ventilators. When it comes to the numbers, it’s estimated that there are 160,000 ventilators available for patient care, with at least 8,900 in a national stockpile. But are they enough?

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to get more equipment. Some of the onus falls on states themselves, with President Trump advising a group of governors Monday afternoon to try getting items they need themselves in addition to federal support. Tuesday morning Kerri will talk with a health policy researcher about the state of hospital preparedness and what health care providers need to care for patients.

9:30 a.m. – Briefing from the coronavirus task force at the White House

Special live coverage.

10 a.m. — 1A

In 1992, Pamela Colon moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands from Illinois. She is one of an estimated 4 million people living in U.S. territories who are not allowed to vote in the presidential election, but are still under the jurisdiction of whoever sits in the Oval Office. Under federal and state overseas voting laws, U.S. citizens who move abroad are still able to vote for president via absentee ballot in their former state of residence. That isn't the case for residents of most U.S. territories — the one exception is the Northern Mariana Islands, whose residents are allowed to vote both locally and in any former state of residence.

Pamela says she had voted in every presidential election she could until she moved, but she didn't really think about the implications of her disenfranchisement until her son was approaching the age of 18. The U.S. territories have a higher rate of enlistment in the U.S. military than any state. As a result, the casualty rate in Iraq and Afghanistan is four times in Guam than the national average. Despite this, federal spending on veterans who live in the territories is low. They often must travel off the island to access resources from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including PTSD treatment. She says that federal responses to crises like hurricanes and COVID-19 are troubling.

11 a.m. — MPR News with Angela Davis

Chris Farrell joins Angela at the top of the show to talk about the economy. Starting next week, Farrell will talk with Angela every Monday.

Then, lots of people want to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic, but how can they do it safely? Two executive directors in the volunteerism field share their advice on giving back during the pandemic.

12 p.m. —  MPR News Presents

For Women's History Month: "I Spy: Real Life Spy Stories,” featuring Jonna Mendez, former CIA head of disguise and Amaryllis Fox, former undercover CIA agent. From Foreign Policy magazine, hosted by Margo Martindale. Mendez is the author of "The Moscow Rules: The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War." Fox is the author of "Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA."


This programming schedule is subject to change.
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