For weeks we have wondered what Minnesota will look like after May 4, when the state’s extended stay at home order is set to expire.Gov. Tim Walz says Thursday afternoon we will get the details.
State officials have emphasized a gradual re-opening that allows for physical distancing and disinfection to avoid undoing the progress Minnesota has made.
The Minnesota Symptom Screener was created by Minnesota IT services, Target and the Minnesota Safety Council to help screen workers’ health that could accelerate openings.
“This technology tool helps businesses log data from an employee in terms of their temperature and basic screening questions and, in an anonymous way, aggregate that data over time to track the health of their workplace to ensure it is a safe place to be,” Grove said.
The specifics are not yet known, but one example to look at could be Wisconsin. Gov. Tony Evers has expressed the same sentiment as Walz that if they could reopen everything immediately they would. Evers extended the stay at home order to May 26, but has continued to add businesses that can operate.
The latest nonessential businesses are dog groomers and outdoor recreation rentals. Small businesses that can operate with a curbside pick-up system were approved by executive order as of last Friday.
Wisconsin and Minnesota are two states in the Midwest consortium, but Walz has said they make independent decisions.
Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says they prepare Walz with data and academic research to support the process.
“He’s perfectly mindful of that fact that we’re in a growth phase of the pandemic and we’re going to see more cases and, unfortunately, we’re going to see more deaths,” Malcolm said. “His decisions are informed by where we are in the epidemic but also knowing what our strategies are to manage that rate of growth.”