My message today covers steps being taken to get all Minnesotans working again and our economy restarted. Our legislative session is returning to a more normal work schedule following the Easter recess.  Committees are starting to meet through video conferencing and the senate has returned to its regular floor schedule, with a bit more social distance between us.

Yesterday the Senate passed a bill that will allow our restaurants to sell small amounts of beer and wine with their take-out food orders.  This will only be in effect until the Executive Order that forced them to be close is lifted.  The governor issued Executive Order 20-38, which opens golf courses and outdoor shooting ranges, live bait shops, marinas, etc. adding to the list of ways Minnesotans can currently get outside. While public and private campgrounds still remain closed under this order, Northern Minnesotans have made it clear they are ready for the fishing season opener and are adapting to new health and safety guidelines.

Everything related to the COVID-19 virus is moving quickly.  On Monday, the governor said “Give me 5,000 tests per day. THEN I’ll open things back up.”  At that time, we were only able to complete about 1,000 tests a day.  On Wednesday the Mayo Clinic announced they have the means to conduct about 8,000 tests per day. On Thursday the University of Minnesota unrolled a proposal that could conduct up to 20,000 tests per day. This level of state testing accessibility is one of the highest in the nation.

One focus does not change as we work to open our state back up and that is that we must continue to protect our senior citizens and our most vulnerable.  Almost all loss of life has happened to seniors that had underlying health conditions.  These people must continue to receive the proper protection from this virus. Those who oppose opening the state back up say life is way more important than money, so we should keep our businesses closed.  I agree that every life is a precious gift and we do not want to lose a single person to this virus.  BUT these businesses are not just a building with four walls and a roof, they are someone’s life.  These businesses belong to our neighbors, friends, classmates, parishioners and relatives.  In our rural areas the owners of these small businesses have poured their heart, their soul, and every dollar they have into their business.  Their business puts food on their table, clothes on their backs, pays their health insurance bill, buys their children’s school supplies and pay for their school lunch. 

We do not want to lose a single person to COVID-19 and we do not want to lose a single business to COVID-19!  Farmers are included in our support of small businesses, as they are fighting the same battles through these challenging times.  Our businesses must be able to re-open and the markets for the farm commodities, and in particular, livestock, must also get up and running again. We don’t have to choose, we can open up our main streets and continue to protect our population from the COVID-19 virus.  We can currently shop for groceries, hardware, medicines, auto parts, plus more, so why do we make other businesses close? 

And finally, we constantly hear about Social Distancing.  Well, because of where we live, we do this naturally in our wide-open spaces.  Have a Great Weekend!