Covid 19 isn’t going anywhere

Covid 19 cases in Minnesota have passed 30,000 according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Blue Earth County reporting 191 cases and Nicollet County reporting 95, the majority of the cases statewide seem to be concentrated in the Twin Cities Metro. The information suggests that we have successfully flattened the curve, however, Minnesota is still in the midst of the first wave.

Minnesota governor Tim Walz buckling to conservative pressure within the state to reopen the economy is outpacing federal plans laid out by the Trump administration at whitehouse.gov by an alarming rate. The Trump administration’s phased plan to reopen the economy states that a downward or flattened trend must be shown for 14 consecutive days before moving from one phase to the next. The data from MN Dept. of Health suggests we have seen a flattened curve since the beginning of June. Comparing the state and federal restrictions Minnesota has skipped two phases as laid out by the Trump administration.

In Mankato with relatively few cases the hospitality industry has been hit particularly hard with state guidance changing quickly, without warning. Bars and restaurants scrambled to expand their patios and train staff to meet restrictions are already adapting to the reality of indoor dining. Late night crowds downtown seem unconcerned with social distancing while staff members wear masks and lines form at the entrances of bars some allowing one customer in as another leaves to follow restricted capacity guidelines.

The most effective way to prevent the spread of Covid 19 is for members of the public to wear masks, maintain 6 feet of distance and wash hands regularly. Until a vaccine is developed we can expect Covid 19 to be a part of our daily lives and to continue to claim lives as over 1200 Minnesotans have already passed.