May 1 Newsletter from Council Member Lisa Goodman
Friday, May 1, 2020 at 4:08PM
Today we acknowledge that we have made it through April and a full month of the Stay at Home Order. The weather is getting nicer, the trees are beginning to bud and flowers are making their way to the surface. Spring, a time of hope and inspiration.
In the government arena it has been a full week with Governor Walz extending the Stay at Home order while cautiously beginning to lift some of the restrictions on commerce. This week Mayor Frey also put forward his State of the City address. I’m including articles on both of those items below.
I’m also thrilled to share a blog post from Dr. David R. Hilden, Vice President of Medical Affairs and President of the Medical Staff at Hennepin Healthcare. I have great respect for him and hope you enjoy his article on Antibodies as much as I did when I read it earlier this week.
As usual I’m also sharing additional information on City of Minneapolis related items like Street Sweeping and openings on boards and commissions along with other relevant topics. I hope you are all able to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather and continue to stay healthy and safe.
Lisa
Ward 7 Spotlight
A Doctor’s Diary from a Pandemic: All about Antibodies
By: David Hilden, MD MPH
Lately many of us are thinking quite a bit about antibodies. When's the antibody test going to be ready? Can I get a test? Do I have antibodies? Will we be able to give antibodies from one person to another as a treatment? Are antibodies our ticket to resuming our normal lives?
What is an antibody, anyway?
In medicine we talk about antibodies all the time, though I am far from an expert on the subject. I remember learning about them in Immunology lectures from medical school, at least when I wasn't talking in class. I remember them as Y-shaped thingies in our blood. Yes, "Y-shaped thingies" is the correct medical term.
Antibodies are the soldiers that live in our blood that fight foreign invaders to our bodies. The really cool thing is that once our bodies have encountered an invader like a virus or a bacteria, our bodies manufacture these antibodies in huge quantities. Those antibodies live in us long into the future so that when our bodies encounter that pathogenic invader at some future point, our bodies recognize it and are able to fight it off much more readily. This is the role of antibodies. When you think of it you may marvel at the elegance of a system that can learn from the past so as to be able to be prepared for future.
But that is exactly what antibodies do. Learn from the past. We as people could learn from our own immune systems about learning from the past!
The big questions in the COVID-19 pandemic may be answered with research into antibodies. So that is why I rolled up my sleeve in the picture above to see if my blood has any antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (the real name of the COVID-19 virus). I was participating in a research project being conducted at Hennepin Healthcare where I work. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is conducting this study at 16 hospital sites around the country to help us understand how the human body is responding to this virus. The study is looking at healthcare workers (nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, among others) who have been working with patients infected with COVID-19. I guess I qualify. The idea is to see how many of us are developing antibodies.
A quick shout out to Dr. Matt Prekker of Hennepin Healthcare. Not only is he leading the research on this antibody study in healthcare workers, he also is a board-certified doctor in 4 specialties at once: Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, and Emergency Medicine. Not only that, he is the guy drawing my blood in the picture above and he's a great guy. He and his team of researchers are worthy of a "thank you" from all of us.
This is really important research. We used to call this virus the "novel coronavirus" because it is indeed novel - new - to the world. Due to that one fact, there was nobody on the entire planet who had any antibodies in their system. That's also why it is so deadly because nobody has the foot soldiers - the antibodies - yet in place in their blood.
Once we learn more about the human body response to the virus, we should be able answer many of the questions for which our knowledge is currently lacking:
- Does getting COVID-19 protect you from future infections? We just don't know but it will depend on the antibody response and how durable that response is over time.
- Do people develop antibodies even if they didn't have symptoms?
- How quickly does the immune response develop?
- Importantly, can we use the antibodies from one person to treat another person who is really sick?
Vaccine research is based on immune response as well. Vaccines work by exposing your body to a teeny amount of the virus and allowing your own body to develop its regiment of antibodies. So these areas of research overlap.
I've heard it said that science will help get us out of this pandemic. Today I got a first-hand look at how that may look and it gives me renewed hope.
Thanks for reading this blog. Subscribe by e-mail if you wish to receive periodic notifications of future posts. My Twitter account is @DrDavidHilden for occasional updates from me as well.
David
Governor Walz Extends Stay Home Order
Walz extends order until May 18, allows curbside pickup for retail stores and strongly encourages all Minnesotans to wear masks when outside the home
April 30, 2020
[ST. PAUL, MN] – As the state continues to make progress in preparing for the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tim Walz today extended the Stay Home Order in Minnesota until Monday, May 18. In an effort to get more Minnesotans back safely to work while the order remains in effect, the Governor announced that retail businesses and other non-critical businesses will resume operations with curbside pick-up.
“From building out critical hospital capacity to launching a landmark testing strategy, Minnesota has made meaningful progress in preparing for the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Walz said. “Minnesotans have made this possible by staying home and holding down the rate of infection. But now is not the time for sudden movements. There’s more work to be done, and we need to keep this virus at a simmer, not a boil. Our action today prioritizes the safety of Minnesotans while taking cautious, strategic steps toward getting people safely back to work.”
Also as part of his Executive Order today, Governor Walz strongly encouraged all Minnesotans to wear a manufactured or homemade mask at all times when they leave their homes to any place where social distancing is difficult.
“Minnesotans look out for one another – we’re asking that they continue to protect their neighbors and slow the spread of this virus,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “We must continue to stay home, practice safe social distancing, and wear cloth masks while in public so we can carefully and responsibly turn the dial toward reopening society.”
By extending the Stay Home Order, the Governor said the state will: slow the spread of COVID-19 and slowly build herd immunity; protect those working on the front lines by increasing access to personal protective equipment; ensure our health system can care for all who require care; gradually allow more Minnesotans to return to work; and safely and slowly resume in-person contacts and other activities that are critical for our well-being.
“Our public health workers are putting in a tremendous effort to protect people from this terrible pandemic, and Minnesotans across the state have stepped up to help by following the social distancing guidelines and slowing the spread,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said. “The Governor’s extension of the stay-at-home order gives us a better chance to limit the impacts of this pandemic. It buys us more time to trace and isolate cases, and to work upstream to prevent infections from jumping into new and vulnerable groups. More time means more lives saved.”
Starting May 4, retail businesses and other non-critical businesses may begin offering curbside pick-up. This will put up to 30,000 Minnesotans back to work in a safe, coordinated way. Businesses must:
- Develop and publicly post a plan for how to open safely.
- Use online payment whenever possible.
- Employees and customers should wear masks and protective equipment.
- In curbside pick-up scenarios, social distancing guidelines apply. If possible, customers should not leave their vehicle.
- In delivery scenarios, items should be deposited outside a customer’s residence.
Minnesotans should also continue to telework whenever possible, wear face masks in public, screen for symptoms and regularly check their temperature, and maintain physical distance from each other.
“Listening to Minnesota business and labor leaders on how to ensure the safety of workers and customers is at the core of our decision-making process,” said Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove. “Today’s announcement is the right next step to help more Minnesotans safely return to work and to reopen more businesses to get our economy ramping up again.”
In the time Minnesotans have bought by staying home, Minnesota has:
- Announced a landmark testing strategy that will allow us to complete up to 20,000 tests a day and test every symptomatic Minnesotan.
- Built hospital capacity and finalized a lease on an alternate care site to make sure that all Minnesotans who need care can receive it.
- Worked to acquire more personal protective equipment to protect our frontline workers.
The Governor’s Executive Order will have the full force and effect of law upon approval by the Executive Council.
Updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota are available at mn.gov/covid19/.
Frequently asked questions are available here: https://mn.gov/covid19/faq/.
Permalink: http://mn.gov/governor/news/index.jsp?id=1055-430501
Mayor Frey Releases State of the City Address
MINNEAPOLIS – Today, Wednesday, April 29, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey taped and released his third State of the City Address. In his remarks, Frey highlighted city’s response to COVID-19, Minneapolis’ role – as the largest and densest city in the state – in protecting public health, and emphasized the City’s commitment to continue delivering core city services.
“If you take away anything from this speech, let it be these two promises: our core city services will continue to be delivered with excellence, and we will prioritize first those who are struggling the most,” said Frey.
Earlier this month, Frey launched a $5 million Gap Funding Package to fund emergency rental assistance for low-income households and support for impacted small-businesses.
The gap funding package is expected to provide at least 1,500 households or roughly 6,000 people with up to $1,500 or, in some cases, $2,000 in rental assistance. The small business gap funds, expected to serve 220 – 440 Minneapolis companies, include $5,000 - $10,000 forgivable loans and a revamped zero percent loan program.
The first rental assistance checks will be disbursed next week. The City expects to start sending out notifications for the forgivable loans in the next two weeks.
Frey has issued eleven emergency regulations to address public health concerns relating to COVID. The most recent, Emergency Regulation 2020-11, mandates new public health measures for congregate care facilities, including limiting entry into the buildings, mandating the use of face coverings, and requiring regular symptom checks for residents.
Frey taped the address without an audience present to minimize exposure and the need for in-person staff support. The speech is available on the City YouTube Channel.
2020 Spring Street Sweeping Continues
Below you will find a basic guide for street sweeping dates by neighborhood.
Please be aware these dates are subject to change so please follow the actual street sweeping link for the most accurate and up to date information.
Bryn Mawr: Completed
Cedar/Isles/Dean: Completed
East Isles:
- North/South
- Emerson, Fremont (Completed)
- Girard, Humboldt (week of May 11)
- Irving: North of 26th Street (week of May 11)
- Irving: South of 26th Street (week of May 4)
- James: (week of May 4)
- East/West
- 28th Street (Completed)
- 22nd, 24th, 25th, 25½th, 26th 27th Streets (week of May 4)
- Euclid Place & Lake Place
- (week of May 4)
Kenwood:
- North/South: Completed
- East/West
- week of May 4
Loring Park:
- East/West (week of May 4)
- Oak Grove, 14th, 15th, 16th
- North/South (week of May 11)
- Clifton, Groveland, Dell, Willow, Spruce, LaSalle, Nicollet, 1st Ave
Lowry Hill:
- East/West (week of May 4)
- North/South
- Bryant, Colfax, Dupont, Emerson, Fremont, Logan, Morgan: Completed
- Girard, Humboldt, Irving, James, Knox
- (week of May 11)
Stevens Square:
- Pleasant Ave (Completed)
- Remainder (week of May 11)
Board and Commission Openings (Ward 7 Specific)
Across the City of Minneapolis there are many openings and opportunities for residents to participate on city boards and commissions. At this time, we have openings specifically for two ward 7 constituents. If you are interested in being on either of these committees, please reach out to us and we will connect you with the process for applying.
- Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging (Senior Citizen)
- Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities
- www.minneapolismn.gov/boards/openings
2020 Census Action Weekend: May 1-3
We have reached an important milestone in the 2020 Census: More than half of the households in our nation have responded – that’s nearly 80 million responses!
As we recognize this achievement, we thank you for your support and ongoing effort to Get Out the Count, as well as your continued outreach to encourage self-response, especially among the hardest-to-count populations. We thank our partners, the public, and everyone who has helped to shape the success of the 2020 Census.
We aim to count everyone accurately while we support efforts to protect the health and safety of the American public and the Census Bureau team. Current times are unprecedented, but they also present an opportunity to reach families digitally across the nation and work towards keeping the 2020 Census in the conversation across channels and platforms. It has never been easier to respond to the census and to help promote the census from your own home.
For this reason we are encouraging all partners, influencers, community leaders, and trusted voices to join us during a Digital Action Weekend, May 1-3, 2020. Please use #2020Census and/or #Censo2020 when posting on all social platforms.
Key message: It’s not too late to respond to the 2020 Census while being safe and practicing social distancing at home. Once you have responded, please encourage your family, friends, and loved ones to complete the census, too.
About the 2020 Census
The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted every 10 years. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and inform how state, local, and federal lawmakers will allocate billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities every year for the next 10 years.
City Extends Comment Period for the draft Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan
- The new deadline is May 22, 2020
- Check out the program or comment at: http://go.minneapolismn.gov/
- This 10 year action plan will guide future planning, design and implementation of transportation projects for all people in all the ways they get around
- Staff will hold its first online open house on the Transportation Action Plan
- Monday, April 13 (4:30-5:30 pm)
City Extends Comment Period for Neighborhoods 2020
- The new deadline is July 15, 2020
- Check out the program information at: www.minneapolismn.gov/neighborhoods2020
- You can submit comments:
- Email: neighborhoods2020@minneapolismn.gov
- Phone: 612-673-3737
- Mail: Neighborhood and Community Relations; 105 Fifth Ave South; Suite 425, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Situational Update as of 12pm, April 29
There are 4,644 cases in Minnesota out of approximately 66,744 tested (combined MDH Lab + Private Numbers).
There have been 319 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota.
There are 1,633 cases and 209 deaths in Hennepin County.
There are 425 cases in the City of Minneapolis and 55 deaths.
The City is sharing Minneapolis specific daily case counts through a public facing dashboard at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
The homeless branch is increasing monitoring and servicing of sanitation stations at encampments.
The Health Department is conducting outreach to licensed congregate care facilities that are covered by the Mayor’s emergency regulation to provide guidance and learn about their needs.
A community mental wellbeing branch has identified 13 priority audiences with the initial focus on seniors.
The Youth Coordinating Board produced videos on COVID-19 and physical distancing using School Based Clinic staff.
Health and Sustainability are partnering to support farmers markets so that vendors and shoppers will be safe at the markets.
The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.
