Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 15, 2020

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April 15, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:30 PM on 4/15/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz signed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act to provide relief to Minnesotans struggling to afford their insulin. With the price of insulin tripling over the past 10 years, Governor Walz worked with insulin advocates to call attention to this urgent issue, keep up the pressure, and get this important bill passed through the legislature. The Governor was joined digitally by insulin advocates as he signed the bill.

“Minnesotans should not die because they are forced to choose between putting food on the table and affording the drug they need to survive,” said Governor Walz. “Despite resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, the grit and determination of Minnesotans with diabetes, Minnesotans who have lost loved ones with diabetes, and their legislators moved this bill forward. It is downright inspiring. This hard-fought law will provide much-needed relief to Minnesotans struggling to afford their insulin. We must continue to put Minnesotans first and ensure people don’t struggle to afford the care they need.”

Over the last 10 years, insulin manufacturers have tripled the price of insulin, and one in four diabetics report rationing the life-saving drug. In 2017, the Minnesota Department of Health estimated that 7.8%, or around 330,000, Minnesotan adults had been diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, with around 18,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.

In addition to highlighting the work today on insulin affordability, the Governor announced that the University of Minnesota received FDA approval for the design of a new, low-cost ventilator aimed at helping clinicians in settings where traditional ventilators are not available. Our state is lucky to have world-class researchers right in our own backyard, and we are grateful for the dedication of those experts, now more than ever.

Governor Walz also shared that Minnesota is one of the first states to implement the additional 13-week extension of unemployment benefits beginning today and reminded Minnesotans of MNsure’s Special Enrollment Period (through Tuesday, April 21) and the Individual Income Tax grace period, which allows Minnesotans until July 15, 2020 to file and pay 2019 Minnesota Individual Income Tax without any penalty or interest.

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Help us spread the word and slow the spread of COVID-19. You can change your Facebook profile picture to encourage Minnesotans to join our #StayHomeMN campaign by clicking here.

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Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
  • Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset or three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Up-to-date guidance from the Department of Health on recommended community mitigation strategies can be found here.

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