Good morning and welcome to the weekend. Here's what you need to know today.
A rainy Friday. Twin Cities showers likely in the morning, and they could continue in the afternoon and evening. Highs in the upper 50s. Statewide, rain is likely with possible thunderstorms in southern Minnesota. Highs from lower 50s to lower 60s. Nighttime lows in the 30s. More on Updraft. | Forecast
There's a sliver of a bright spot in the coronavirus pandemic. With so many of us staying home, pollution levels are down around the world. "It is giving us this quite extraordinary insight into just how much of a mess we humans are making of our beautiful planet," says conservation scientist Stuart Pimm of Duke University. "This is giving us an opportunity to magically see how much better it can be." Earth Day Facts sponsored by Powerfully Green Solar
The latest COVID-19 news
Minnesotans should brace for more deaths and a possible fall resurgence of the coronavirus. That's according to Gov. Tim Walz, who said "I want to remind Minnesotans: The hardest days are ahead. ... The climb is still up. We're not near that peak yet.”
Schools are closed for the rest of the year, and next fall is uncertain, too. Minnesota students will also stick to virtual learning for the rest of the year. Asked if that’ll be the case next fall, too, Walz said: "The answer is I don't know yet."
The governor, a former teacher, says he worries about students falling behind. The lack of face-to-face contact with teachers and peers, plus the strain of distance learning, can be detrimental for students. “These are decisions that will reverberate through a lifetime potentially," Walz said of the call to close schools. "We know what educational research shows if you fall a grade or two behind."
Here are the latest coronavirus statistics: 2,942 confirmed cases via 51,548 tests 200 deaths 712 cases requiring hospitalization 268 remain hospitalized; 104 in intensive care 1,536 patients recovered
Some 100,000 Minnesotans could get back to work next week. A new executive order from Walz relaxes restrictions for some manufacturers and businesses that aren’t customer-facing. However, the workers’ returns would be contingent on employers having safe-distance, sanitizing and other protocols in place and enforced.
Part of the new executive order could impose up to $25,000 penalties on businesses that retaliate against workers who raise health or safety concerns.
The State Fair is in limbo, too. “I wouldn’t want to make a definitive call. But I also don’t want to give any false hope on this. I think it would be very difficult to see a State Fair operating,” Walz said Thursday. “I don’t know how you social distance in there. I mean one of the greatest parts of the State Fair is it’s super crowded.” The 1946 polio epidemic was the last time a fair wasn't held.
On the bright side, spring is arriving in Minnesota. How are you appreciating the outdoors while social distancing this season? Share with us what you see and hear from nature in your backyard and beyond.
— Cody Nelson, MPR News | @codyleenelson
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