 | Photo by Evan Frost | MPR News
May 1, 2020
Stay-home extended until May 18, with tweaks | |
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Good morning and happy Friday. It's the first day of our spring member drive. If you find this newsletter and the rest of our coverage valuable, please consider supporting us financially if you're able.
Now, here's the forecast and latest on coronavirus in Minnesota.
Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and thunderstorms across the state. Twin Cities highs in the upper 60s with 10 to 15 mph winds. Statewide highs from the mid-60s to mid-70s. Much of the state will clear up Friday night, but the metro area has a slight chance for more rain until midnight. More on Updraft. | Forecast
Up to 30,000 Minnesotans could go back to work next week. Gov. Tim Walz has extended his stay-at-home order another two weeks, but he did loosen restrictions on some retail stores, allowing them to offer curbside pickup of purchases starting Monday.
Otherwise, our new normal will continue largely unchanged. Consumer-facing businesses will still operate with safety restrictions. For example, hair salons will be able to sell products for pickups, but you still won't be able to get a trim.
New COVID-19 cases are outpacing those who have recovered. Until this week, about 50 percent of patients who tested positive had recovered. Now, it's closer to 42 percent.
Wondering what else is in the stay-home order? We've got you covered with an updated FAQ. And, as always, we want to hear from you: Submit your COVID-19 questions here and our team of journalists will do our best to answer.
Here are the latest coronavirus statistics:- 5,136 cases confirmed via 70,276 tests
- 343 deaths
- 1,044 cases requiring hospitalization
- 365 people remain in the hospital; 130 in intensive care
- 2,172 patients recovered
“I don’t have a good answer.” That was Walz's response to questions about why golf courses are open but public parks are not. He said decision making on what to open and close has been data-driven, but the governor acknowledged that prohibitions are harming communities of color and socially disadvantaged populations more than other groups.
Nearly 15 percent of all Minnesota's COVID-19 deaths are from one spot. It's the St. Therese nursing home in New Hope, northwest of downtown Minneapolis, a 258-bed facility. “This has been devastating to a community that prides itself on providing quality, loving care,” said Barb Rode, the CEO and president of St. Therese.
Who are the helpers in your life? Life is difficult and overwhelming, more often than normal, right now. We want your help finding the bright spots. Share a story of how someone has helped you or someone you know.
— Cody Nelson, MPR News | @codyleenelson |
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