Senate committee passes Coronavirus preparedness bill
St. Paul, MN ‒ The possibility of a coronavirus (COVID19) outbreak has caused uneasiness as Minnesotans wonder if the state’s health services are sufficiently prepared. Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee passed a bill to appropriate $20 million to a public health response. The legislation will call for an immediate appropriation into the Public Health Response Emergency Account.
“Preparedness is key during widespread health and safety concerns,” stated Senator Gary Dahms (R ‒ Redwood Falls). “We have some of the best medical services in the entire country and have heard reassuring things from our state agency officials. Knowing this, it never hurts to have extra dedicated funds for the worst possible situation. I pray they never have to be utilized and that our state remains healthy and protected.”
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) expects to average 100 full-time staff for the COVID-19 response over the course of this year, and testing remains the key to combatting the virus. MDH is working to provide an immunization program, as soon as possible.
In documents submitted to the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, MDH said, “Based on testing trends during previous outbreaks, we assume that testing will start off slow, at 100 samples per week and peak at 300 samples per week. Over the next 12 months, we could test 6,000 samples.”
COVID19 is a respiratory disease that can be easily transmitted from person to person. Stocking up on medical masks and other health equipment is not advised by officials, as reserves need to be kept in the hands of medical professionals caring for the ill. Minnesota purchased and received over 2 million N95 masks and surgical masks for health care providers including health care coalitions and emergency medical services. The Federal government is also expected to work with the state to coordinate any extra protective equipment.
The virus lives on surfaces for only a few hours, so imported goods from China are not a risk to the population. Additionally, MDH recommends prevention of the disease matches that of preventing the common flu: wash hands thoroughly, cough into the crook of your arm, and stay home if feeling unwell. For more information, visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html.
Lawmakers and public health officials have been in regular contact as the global outbreak develops. In the case that the appropriation is unneeded, all funds will transfer to the Minnesota general fund. The bill passed the Senate Finance Committee and is awaiting a vote by the full Senate.
Sen. Dahms is in his third term representing Senate District 16, which includes communities in Brown, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Redwood, Renville, and Yellow Medicine counties. He also serves as chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee and is an assistant majority leader.