Yesterday I joined my fellow Senate Republicans and local business owners for a press conference.

Speakers at the press conference included a salon owner, restaurant and bar owners, and the pastor of a small church. They shared the various efforts they’ve made to re-open following CDC guidelines. They also shared what might happen if the business closures remain in place any longer than planned.

From my district, I was glad to have Andrew Hulse from Elk River, owner of 18/8 Fine Men’s Salons in Maple Grove and Wayzata, joining us at the press conference.

He said: “A pandemic was not part of our business plan. Our employees are our family and I’m not going to do anything to put them at risk. I keep hearing salons can’t be a controlled environment and that I don’t believe.

Most of what we do every day is infection control, stylists are trained and licensed in infection control and receive ongoing instruction in infection control.”

As a registered nurse, my public health training taught me that you quarantine the sick and shelter the vulnerable while those who are well would go out and work.

Not everyone should be under the stay-at-home order at this time. With this extension, there are so many areas of hurt.

Many small business owners are done for good. We will never be able to make up for the loss these changes will exact on our economy and our communities.

The Governor’s decisions to pick some businesses to reopen over others seems arbitrary, picking winners and losers, and keeping the dial stuck in neutral – this inaction is costing people their livelihoods

Minnesota small business owners know what precautions are needed to keep their customers and employees safe and healthy.

Our hospitals are ready for the oft mentioned surge as we have all done our part to flatten the curve and give them time to prepare.

What the Governor must understand, and what I will keep repeating, is that safety standards must be outlined so businesses that can follow those guidelines are able to reopen. Provide them with responsible safety standards and let them get back to work.

There are ways to be safe and have compassion on the families that are hurting from these closures. Business owners gain nothing from being irresponsible during this time. All they are asking is that we trust them to do everything they can to keep their customers, employees, and families safe.

Please know we will keep advocating for you. Thank you again to Andrew Hulse for joining our press conference today to share a story that the Governor needs to hear.

Thank you to all of you who have contacted me with your ideas and your concerns. I carry your stories and experiences with me as we work through this together!

Governor Walz Contact Options 
651.201.3400
https://mn.gov/governor/contact/

Resources
OPEN MN
A guide for small businesses who need help
Employees/Unemployment Benefits
Economic Impact Payments from the IRS
Minnesota COVID-19 website
Mental Health
Paycheck Protection Program
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance