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Dear neighbors,
On Wednesday, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota has made a breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19. Thanks to a new partnership with Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota, Hennepin Healthcare, and other health care providers, our state will be able to test everyone with COVID-19 symptoms (as many as 20,000 Minnesotans per day), isolate confirmed cases, and expand public health surveillance tools. We’re fortunate to have Governor Walz and world-class health care institutions serving the people of Minnesota!
Governor Walz made two announcements yesterday. First, he announced that distance learning will continue until the end of the school year. I know this news was difficult for many families, educators, and students – particularly our high school seniors – but I appreciate all the work that has been done to make distance learning possible. My colleagues and I will continue looking for ways to improve the distance learning system and better support Minnesota students.
The Governor also shared a plan to gradually and safely get up to 100,000 Minnesotans back to work. Starting next week, certain workplaces will be allowed to reopen if they create a COVID-19 preparedness plan and meet certain safety criteria that are outlined here. We will continue working with Governor Walz to get our economy up and running without putting Minnesotans’ lives at risk.
Legislation We’re Working On
My colleagues and I are doing all we can to help Minnesotans during this difficult time. Here are a few of the things we’re fighting for:
- Investing in housing assistance so Minnesotans can remain safe in their homes
- Securing full pay for hourly school employees
- Ensuring Minnesotans can vote safely by expanding mail-in voting options
- Using available federal funding to boost payments for people in the Minnesota Family Investment Program
- Ensuring all Minnesotans have access to broadband so they can stay connected during the pandemic
- Expanding COVID-19 testing and treatment
While COVID-19 is our top priority, I’ve continued working on other important issues, including legislation that would provide funding for public education on lead poisoning. This measure, which I’m working on with help from a local Girl Scout troop, is advancing through committee. Please stay tuned for updates.
Statewide Mask Drive
Tomorrow, Minnesota fire departments will collect homemade masks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of a statewide mask drive. The fire departments will deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities. Homemade masks don’t replace personal protective equipment (PPE), but they can help limit the spread of the virus. If you’d like to participate in the mask drive, patterns and instructions are available here.
I’ll keep you updated with more information as it becomes available. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Peter Fischer
State Representative
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