Mshale Newspaper November 30 2020 Edition

Issue # 447

INSIDE

www.mshale.com

T HE

P.2

P.4

African Immigrant Leadership Conference Dec. 10-11

COVID ‘infodemic’ hits Africa according to the United Nations

P.9

Study: Americans say COVID-19 will change Christmas

P.10

Trevor Noah to host the 2021 Grammy Awards

NOV.29-DEC. 6,2020

A F R IC A N

C OM MU N I T Y

N E W S PAP E R

President-elect Biden taps Adewale Adeyemo as Deputy Treasury Secretary

President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Nigerian-born Adewale Adeyemo to be his Deputy Treasury Secretary, the first Black person to hold the position and the highest ranking African immigrant in his administration.

Photo: Andrew Harnik/Associated Press

By Tom Gitaa Mshale President-elect Joe Biden on Monday as this edition went to press made two historic appointments as he prepares to take over the White House. Biden announced the nomination of Janet Yellen as his Treasury Secretary, making her the first woman to hold that position if confirmed. Biden also named Adewale Adeyemo as his nominee for Deputy Treasury Secretary. Adeyemo will become the first Black person to serve in that role and the highest-ranking African immigrant in the Biden-Harris administration, and possibly in any administration thus far.

39-year-old Adeyemo who goes by Wally was bornin Nigeria. He currently serves as the Obama Foundation president.He moved to the United States with his parents when he was just“a baby,” according to the New York Times. He grew up in Southern California where his father was a teacher and mother a nurse. Adeyemo and his two siblings, a younger brother and sister, grew up sharing a two-

bedroom apartment.

Prior to joining the Obama Foundation, he had been president Obama’s senior international economic advisor after Obama had appointed him deputy national security advisor and deputy director of the National Economic Council. In that role, he was responsible for coordinating the policymaking process on international finance, trade and investment, energy, and environmental issues, according to a profile of him by the Center for Strategic & International Studies, a Think Tank that he advises.

Adeyemo received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.

“This crisis-tested team will help lift America out of our current economic downturn and build back better—creating an economy that gives every single American a fair shot and an equal chance to get ahead,” the Biden-Harris transition team tweeted after Biden announced the members of his economic team.

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Mshale - The African Community Newspaper

Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2020 Issue 447

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African Immigrant Leadership Conference to be held Dec. 10-11

By Cynthia Simba Mshale

African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS), a local non-profit organization focused on educating and empowering local African businesses will be hosting its first ever National African Immigrant Leadership Conference. The two-day virtual event will take place on Dec. 10.

Participants can expect to have access to sessions hosted by leaders in various industries. The keynote address will be delivered by international African leaders.

First will be the former African Union ambassador to the United States, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao of Zimbabwe and Ethiopian entrepreneur and non-profit leader Alfa Demmellash. Demmellash was named as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2015.

The organization’s first international event has been in the making for a couple of years. Organizer and AEDS C.E.O. Gene Gelgelu said he wanted to have an event where African immigrant leaders can have an opportunity to share their knowledge as well as provide opportunities for individuals to learn and grow.

At the beginning of the year however, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to postpone the event. “This is the most difficult time and that is the time we need

each other,” Gelgelu said. Explaining his motivation to continue hosting the event virtually.

“We thought that covid would go away in a couple of weeks, but it didn’t happen, covid is here to stay,” he said.

Gelgelu is no stranger to organizing during challenging times. In 2008, right in the middle of a massive global recession is when he decided to start AEDS. “A lot of African immigrants were unemployed or underemployed,” he said.

Gelgelu saw an opportunity to create an organization that could empower and share resources with those who are struggling.

Over ten years later AEDS has grown to an organization that has served thousands of individuals by providing educational resources and micro loans to small businesses. Just this year, the organization has recorded helping over 700 people.

Africans constitute the second largest immigrant group in Minnesota. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minnesota estimated that African immigrants brought in about $2.5 billion in earnings in 2015 and paid $419 million in federal taxes and $220 million in state and local taxes.

“We have a stake in the region,” Gelgelu

Alfa Demmellash

said. Societal contributions to the local economy is a driving factor in having Minnesota host the first national African immigrant conference.

Organizers of the event want participants to expand their knowledge in business and community building.

They want to share tools that will help individuals recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the internal unrest caused from various social justice struggles.

“During the time of uncertainty, of trauma,” Gelgelu said. “We need social connection and leadership building more

Photo: Courtesy Rising Tide Capital

than ever.”

Participants can expect to partake in fourteen different sessions over the course of two days. The sessions cover a wider range of topics from women in leadership to community engagement.

The event will also offer two mastermind courses that are separate from general admissions. Student and group rates are offered at a discount.

Conference details at aeds-mn.org.

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Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2020 Issue 447

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Guest Commentary by Juan E. González

Why should U.S. universities educate international students?

Why are we allowing international students into our universities and colleges?

Over 1 million international students attend institutions of higher learning in the United States, according to the Institute of International Education.

Recent developments, such as the uncertainty in immigration laws, travel bans and new rules that make it more difficult for international students to stay and finish their studies, have led to a noticeable decrease in interest in the U.S. as an educational destination for these students.

You may ask, why we are allowing so many students from abroad into our institutions of higher learning. Aren’t colleges, particularly governmentsupported institutions, intended to educate U.S. citizens?

Let us consider some of the ways international students contribute to our educational mission and to the nation. The vast majority of the students who come from abroad pay a premium over full in-state tuition prices (tuition costs for out-of-state and international students can be three times higher than tuition costs for in-state residents). Those funds help support the academic and research missions of many of our institutions of higher learning.

Tuition paid by international students ends up subsidizing U.S. citizens’ education, at a time of decreasing funding from states and the federal government. In addition, these students help stimulate local and state economies. They pay rent, buy groceries, support local restaurants, and put gas in their cars. That argument alone demonstrates that engaging students from abroad is good business for universities and college towns.

These students contribute much more than just the economic gains outlined above. International scholars have become a crucial component of university life. They perform research in academic laboratories, create knowledge, and help teach our students by serving as teaching assistants and lecturers.

They also add diversity to our campuses, bring new ideas and points of view, actively participate in our cultural and athletic activities, and expose our domestic students to intercultural experiences that later serve them well when they join the global economy.

education in the science, technology, engineering, math and business fields.

These are areas of high growth with more educational opportunities than available domestic students. As a matter of fact, international scholars’ demand for STEM and business education results in additional faculty hiring and course offerings, strengthening our leadership in those fields and benefiting all our students.

Do the contributions these students bring to our nation end when their education is finished? Not at all. The majority of these students make significant contributions when they return to their home countries, serving as leaders of industry and government. They also carry with them a unique understanding and appreciation of American values and the American way of life, and they become advocates for those values in their home countries.

What about those students that stay in our country after they finish their studies? Don’t they take away jobs from our citizens? Not exactly. Most of those who choose to remain in the U.S. find employment in fast-growing fields and high-tech industries that struggle to find local expertise. These students become taxpayers, create new businesses, raise families, and contribute in immeasurable ways by becoming part of our nation’s fabric.

These educational immigrants represent 38% to 40% of all Nobel Prizes won

by Americans in chemistry, medicine, and physics since 2000, according to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy. They start businesses at a higher rate than U.S.-born residents and contribute more to the government’s coffers than they receive in social spending.

Our higher-education system is one of our most valuable and sought-after resources, and it provides us with intellectual capital, helps with global relationship-building, and grows our economy.

Why are we allowing international students into our universities and colleges?

I think the answer to that question is obvious.

Juan E. González is a professor of molecular biology, an associate provost, and dean of graduate education at the University of Texas at Dallas. He wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.

Are these students taking educational slots away from U.S. citizens?

Not really. Most international students come here to get a graduate-level

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Minnesota COVID-19 restrictions currently in effect as of November 20 Our story on the latest COVID-19 restrictions by the state of Minnesota is online as well as on page 11 of this edition.

In summary: • Weddings, funerals, and other similar celebrations can be held with the current rules in place, but all receptions and gatherings connected to these ceremonies must be canceled or postponed, according to the order that went into effect November 20.

• Schools will continue to operate under the previous guidelines which allows districts to shift between in-person, distance, and hybrid learning depending on the local Covid-19 data for their area.

• Retail stores can stay open.

Closed • Bars and restaurants will close to dine-in service but can do takeout and delivery.

• Theaters and gyms must close.

Restrictions will be in place through December 18.

Full story is on page 11.

The editor welcomes letters, opinion pieces and commentary on issues of interest to the African community in North America. Contributions must be typed and will be edited for clarity and space.

Submissions can be mailed or submitted online at www.mshale.com

A sign alerts people to free COVID-19 testing at a previous testing site. MDH has partnered with numerous community trusted organizations to offer the tests.

Photo: AP

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Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2020 Issue 447

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New Africa alliance aims to tackle deadly COVID ‘infodemic’

By UN News Service A new network in Africa aims to combat the “infodemic” of misinformation online surrounding COVID-19 and other health emergencies on the continent, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced.

The Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA), brings together 13 international and regional organizations, together with fact-checking groups which have expertise in data and behavioural science, epidemiology, research, digital health and communications.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said the Alliance has the unique reach, knowledge and skills to help halt the impact of dangerous misinformation.

“In health emergencies, misinformation can kill and ensure diseases continue to spread. People need proven, sciencebased facts to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing, and a glut of information – an infodemic – with misinformation in the mix makes it hard to know what is right and real”, she said.

AIRA is the first initiative of its kind, working to detect, disrupt and counter damaging misinformation on public health issues in Africa.

Artist in the Central African Republic, CAR, painting on walls various tips on how to protect oneself from COVID-19.

Photo: MINUSCA Screenshot

Since the new coronavirus emerged late last year, digital platforms have been inundated with COVID-19 information,

much of which is inaccurate misleading, said WHO.

and

The agency cited statistics from UN

Global Pulse, the UN Secretary-General’s Infodemic on Pg. 8

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Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2020 Issue 447

Brooklyn Park to hold special election for mayor as early as this spring

By Cynthia Simba Mshale Brooklyn Park residents will be back at the polls as early as this spring to fill the expected vacancy in the city’s mayoral seat. Current mayor Jeffrey Lunde was elected to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners representing District 1 in November’s general elections.

“Since 2001 we’ve had five special elections,” Devin Montero said. Montero has been serving as the clerk for the city of Brooklyn Park since 2005.

Three of the five special elections were for council member positions, one for city representative, and once for the mayoral position. It was then, that mayor Jeffrey Lunde was elected after the unfortunate passing of mayor Steve Lampi from cancer.

The city of Brooklyn Park is working with city attorney Jim Thompson to establish appropriate dates for candidates to file for the position and dates when voters can head to the polls. Montero said all

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city polling stations will be open for voters to cast their ballots, early voting and absentee ballots will be granted as well.

Outgoing mayor Lunde told Mshale he intends to officially hand in his resignation on January 3, the following day on January 4, he is set to begin his position with the county. According to the city charter, after a vacancy has been declared the city council will appoint a mayor pro tem from among its members to serve until a new mayor is elected.

Mayor Lunde thinks the race will be a crowded one. “I would expect ten candidates,” he said. If more than two candidates file for the position, the city will need to have a primary.

Although the filling dates have yet to be released, some mayoral hopefuls have already announced their candidacy.

Current city council member Wynfred Russell announced his desire to run for the position earlier this month by releasing a statement on social media.

“I’m excited to announce my candidacy for Mayor of the City of Brooklyn Park in the special elections,” Russell said.

“It’s time to bring in new blood, a new face, progressive thinking, and most importantly, forward-thinking actions.”

Russell made history last year as the first Black person elected to the city’s council. After filling, it would be his first

citywide race.

Another electoral hopeful is city commissioner Hollies Winston. “I am happy to announce I will be running for Mayor of Brooklyn Park,” Winston said.

“I’m running to create a Brooklyn Park that works for all of us!”

Winston currently sits on the city’s Budget Advisory Committee. This will be his second run for mayor.

If more than two candidates file, there will be a primary to narrow the field to two that will move on to the special election.

City clerk Montero is anticipating the elections with great optimism. “We always have great candidates, I think the community should be proud of that fact,” Montero said.

Lunde is leaving behind a legacy of reduced crime rates and increased diversity in Brooklyn Park. He hopes his successor can be a leader that takes into account the diverse voices of Brooklyn Park. “I just think that people need to want to be mayor of everyone, not just their groups,” he said.

Lunde will be transitioning out of his role in the middle of his third term as mayor. In the interim he is preparing the council for transition. As he anticipates his new role, he is looking to hire two full time policy aides for his office in Hennepin County.

Devin Montero.

Photo: City of Brooklyn Park

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, it is a unique time for public servants to be governing. City clerk Montero anticipates a smooth transition. “Mayor Lunde has been a great mayor for the city of Brooklyn Park,” he said. “I think he will leave the city in a great place”.

Mshale will continue to update readers as information regarding the special election is released.

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Amidst pandemic, local nonprofit urges Minnesota not to forget HIV/AIDS fight

By Cynthia Simba Mshale December is national HIV/AIDS awareness month. It is a time when organizations spread awareness to reduce the stigma and bring attention to the resources they have available to help persons living with HIV/AIDS. A local organization that has been aiding and educating communities affected with the disease is the Sub-Saharan African Youth and Family Services (SAYFSM).

Elizabeth Namarra and Ephraim Olani founded SAYSFM as a nonprofit organization that could provide emotional support for African persons infected with HIV/ AIDS in Minnesota. While working as a social worker with Lutheran Social Services, Namarra realized there were not any local organizations catering specifically to individuals from Africa.

“During those times, the community wouldn’t associate with these people,” Olani said. Removing the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS is one of the largest obstacles in educating individuals and communities about this disease.

SAYFSM began by providing a safe space for emotional support groups.

Soon after their inception, they realized the community needed more additional support. “We learned that providing a support group by itself doesn’t solve the problem,” Olani said.

The couple began outreach programs to educate the community. After supporting the work independently, the couple applied for and received a grant from Hennepin County.

Ephraim Olani. Photo: Courtesy Elizabeth Namarra Photo: Courtesy Obtaining funding enabled them to expand their services to include various educational initiatives, provide medical transportation, as well as medical case management. Later, the organization was able to create a women’s sewing class to help local women infected with HIV/AIDS that were limited in employment options due to literacy barriers.

To remove any social stigma associated with partaking in the courses, the organization decided to open the sewing classes to the public at large. Anyone who is interested in acquiring skills in sewing, knitting, and fabric arts is welcome to enroll. Since starting the classes, the organization has graduated over 100 women who are now able to utilize their sewing and embroidery skills to find employment or start their own businesses.

A panel discusses HIV/AIDS among Africans in Minnesota during a past African World Aids Day (AWAD) in Minneapolis.

Photo: Sahra Mohamud/Mshale

three hundred cases of new HIV/AIDS infections. Males accounted for 72 percent of the data and communities of color account for over half of new infections.

He has been able to witness thousands of individuals grow and overcome the challenges they once faced because of the diagnosis.

The DHS has grants available that offset and eliminate the cost of HIV/AIDS medication.

“I’m always very happy when I see people, when I see a smile on some of the people who have been once devastated with the impact of HIV and AIDS,” he said.

“This is a blessing for me.”

Having partnered with Minnesota’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to help decrease the health disparities that exist in minority populations, SAYFSM connects individuals to resources available through the DHS.

Without these subsidies, HIV/AIDS medication costs can range up to four thousand dollars a month. The subsidies are available to anyone living with HIV/AIDS and is within 400 percent of the poverty level. The DHS has these resources available for all individuals regardless of immigration status.

In the state of Minnesota there are about 10,000 individuals infected with HIV/AIDS. For the past five years, the state of Minnesota has reported about

Almost twenty years since founding SAYFSM Olani has found working with individuals and communities impacted with HIV/AIDS to be extremely rewarding.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Olani wants to remind the public to remember the fight against HIV/AIDS. “We really need to work together with resilience to end this epidemic, while we are in a pandemic there is this epidemic too,” he said.

To learn more about SAYFSM and access the resources provided by them you can visit their website at sayfsm.org.

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Infodemic from Pg. 4 initiative on big data and artificial intelligence.

Between February and November of this year, information about the virus has been shared and viewed over 270 billion times online, and mentioned nearly 40 million times on Twitter and web-based news sites, in the 47 countries of the WHO African Region.

Although a large proportion of this information is inaccurate and misleading, people continue to share content on social media, whether intentionally or unknowingly, which include conspiracies around unproven treatments, false cures and anti-vaccine messages While it is difficult to determine exactly how much misinformation is being circulated, WHO said fact-checking organizations in Africa report that they have debunked more than 1,000 misleading reports since the start of the pandemic.

Among other efforts, AIRA will work collaboratively to counter false information around COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to complementing public health awareness raising and community engagement efforts, by creating demand for vaccines in the region.

The Alliance will also support journalists and media outlets to effectively share lifesaving information based on scientific evidence and debunk disinformation on health issues. African countries will also receive assistance in developing tailored infodemic management strategies, including analysing trends and behaviours.

A health worker checks the temperature of a traveler as part of a coronavirus screening procedure at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, on Jan. 30, 2020.

Photo: Francis Kokoroko / Reuters

AIRA members include the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, UN Global Pulse, and the UN Verified initiative: the Organization’s own campaign against pandemic misinformation globally.

Although COVID-19 represents a new challenge to the global community, the

President of the UN General Assembly recalled that the world has seen the dangers of misinformation before, including in response to disease.

“The coverage of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has decreased in some places, due to misinformation about the vaccine. Measles has become resurgent. Misinformation has taken us backwards”, President Volkan Bozkir said on Wednesday during an Assembly meeting on sharing best practices for the infodemic.

He emphasized that trust in institutions is crucial, as “people are more likely to turn to less credible alternative sources of information when they do not trust traditional sources.”

Mr. Bozkir welcomed steps taken by countries and international organizations to combat the infodemic, as well as UN efforts to counter “the scourge of misinformation, stigmatization and harmful health advice and strengthen trust in science.”

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Religion

LifeWay Study: Americans say COVID-19 will change Christmas with less church

By Elana Schor AP

More spiritual reflection, fewer gifts and less in-person church attendance are among several ways in which a majority of Americans say the new coronavirus has changed the way they will celebrate Christmas in 2020, a new study shows.

The data culled from a LifeWay Research online survey of 1,200 Americans, conducted Sept. 9-23, using a national pre-recruited panel, show that 65% Americans will make at least one change to their Christmas plans as a result of the pandemic.

“Some Americans are reacting to the effects of COVID-19 by doubling down with plans to celebrate more,” Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, said in a statement. “Other Americans will scale back their traditions likely due to safety, finances or their state of mind.”

As a result of health restrictions in effect

across much of the country, some 35% of Americans said they will spend less time visiting with family this Christmas. Just under half, 47%, said family gatherings will remain the same while 13% plan to visit with their loved ones even more.

Older adults 50 and over and individuals who are more vulnerable to contracting the virus were more likely to say they plan on spending less time visiting with family than younger adults aged 18- 34.

Twenty percent of Americans also expect lower gift giving due to the economic downturn triggered by the virus but 67% said their gift giving will remain the same, while 9% plan on giving more.

When it comes to attending a Christmas church service, 25% of survey respondents said they are less likely to do so this year. Only 11% said they are more likely to attend a Christmas service while 37% said their decision to attend or not attend was not changed from the previous year.

While churches may be less crowded this Christmas, more Americans reported

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plans to spend more time in spiritual reflection on the significance of Christmas.

“Almost 9 in 10 Americans typically do some spiritual reflection at Christmas,” McConnell said. “Personal time considering why God would come in the flesh isn’t affected by health or financial concerns, so it’s not surprising that about twice as many Americans will do more of this than less for Christmas this year.”

While 59% of respondents said their spiritual reflections this year will stay the same, 19% said they expect it to increase. The survey shows that even among the religiously unaffiliated, 10% of respondents said the pandemic has made them more likely to spend time in spiritual reflection during the holidays this year.

African Americans and evangelicals were the most likely to say the pandemic has led them to be more spiritually reflective this Christmas.

Notably, compared with other Americans, evangelicals were found more likely to say they are going to visit family more,

A masked Santa ornament on sale on Amazon signifying a sign of the times..

give more gifts, and have spiritual reflections, the study shows. They were also more likely to say COVID-19 made them more likely to attend church services this Christmas.

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Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2020 Issue 447

Art & Entertainment Trevor Noah to host 2021 Grammy Awards Corden and LL Cool J.

By Ian Brennan AfroPop “The Daily Show” host and comedian Trevor Noah has been tapped to host the 2021 Grammy Awards.

The Recording Academy made the announcement on November 24 hours before the nominees for the upcoming show were revealed. It would mark Noah’s first time hosting the Grammys, which will be held Jan. 31.

Earlier this year, Noah competed for his first Grammy Award: The 36-year-old Emmy winner was nominated for best comedy album with “Son of Patricia,” but lost to Dave Chappelle.

“Despite the fact that I am extremely disappointed that the GRAMMYs have refused to have me sing or be nominated for best pop album, I am thrilled to be hosting this auspicious event,” Noah said in a statement. “I think as a onetime GRAMMY nominee, I am the best person to provide a shoulder to all the amazing artists who do not win on the night because I too know the pain of not winning the award! (This is a metaphorical shoulder, I’m not trying to catch Corona).

See you at the 63rd GRAMMYs!” Alicia Keys was the most recent Grammys host. Past hosts include James

Nominations were announced shortly after the host was named, with Beyoncé’s anthem about Black pride scoring multiple nominations, making her the leading contender.

Beyoncé picked up song and record of the year bids with “Black Parade,” which she released on Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free. The song, which reached the Top 40 on the pop charts, is also nominated for best R&B song and best R&B performance.

Beyoncé’s “Black Is King” film that highlighted Black art, music, history and fashion is up for best music film while “Brown Skin Girl,” a song dedicated to dark- and brown-skinned women, is nominated for best music video. The singer also earned three nominations for her slick guest appearance on Megan Thee Stallion’s No. 1 hit “Savage,” including record of the year, best rap performance and best rap song.

A winner of 24 Grammys, Beyoncé becomes the second-most nominated act in the history of the awards show with 79 nominations. She is tied with Paul McCartney, who earned a nomination this year for best boxed or special limited edition package.

Several songs that emerged following

Trevor Noah attends the 48th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS on Saturday February 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California.

Photo: Jamie Lamor Thompson/Shutterstock

the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor were nominated for Grammys, including Lil Baby’s “The Bigger Picture” (best rap song, best rap performance), Anderson .Paak’s “Lockdown” (best melodic rap performance, best music video), Mickey Guyton’s “Black Like Me” (best country solo performance) as well as Beyoncé’s “Black Parade.”

“I think it’s meaningful. I think it’s reflective of what’s gone on in our world,”

Mason Jr. said of multiple protest songs earning nominations this year. “Musicians and artists and writers and producers, they write about what’s going on in their lives. We tend to be fairly emotional people. When there’s things happening, it’s going to come out in our music and our art. It only makes sense that those types of songs would be nominated and celebrated by our voters. It really resonated with people. You listen to some of those songs and can’t help but be moved.”

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Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2020 Issue 447

Latest COVID-19 restrictions

By Mshale Staff

Restictions went into effect November 20 Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz new restrictions that he announced on November 18 and reported first on Mshale.com aimed at curbing the skyrocketing COVID-19 numbers are now in effect. They went into effect last week.

“Much has been asked of you. And I need to ask a little more,” Gov. Walz said during the televised address.

Bars and restaurants will close for four weeks and can only offer takeout and delivery while gyms, bowling alleys, theaters, and museums will be required to close their doors completely during the four-week period. Youth and high school sports are also being paused during the four-week period. College sports are not affected by the new order, as are professional sports.

Hospitals at near capacity The governor’s new tough measures come in the wake of the new Minnesota Department of Health data that shows hospitals, including their ICUs are at capacity mostly with coronavirus patients as hospitalizations and deaths climb.

Hospital administrators have been urging the governor to invoke the new measures

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so the hospital systems can cope.

Thousands of medical staff have also been infected with Mayo Clinic announcing that 900 of their staff have been infected creating a staffing nightmare.

Most COVID-19 outbreaks since June have been traced to bars and restaurants, wedding receptions, gyms and sporting events. Bars and restaurants alone accounted for 3,200 cases since June while wedding receptions contributed 950 of the climbing numbers.

Minnesotans are also required to adhere to restrictions on private gatherings by restricting gatherings to those from their immediate household.

To continue operating Retail stores, places of worship will continue to operate under previous guidelines because state health officials have said previously that these sett8ngs are not contributing to the spread because Minnesotans spend less time there and they wear masks.

Salons can also continue operating under the existing COVID-19 guidelines.

Governor Walz hailed the new COVID-19 vaccinations announced recently by Pfizer and Moderna saying they should give people hope that restrictions like the ones he announced will become unnecessary in the near future.

Governor Tim Walz during a statewide televised address announcing his latest restrictions to curb the skyrocketing Covid-19 numbers in Minnesota.

Photo: Governor’s Youtube Channel Screengrab

tunnel. I believe with every fiber of my being that there’s an incredibly strong possibility, more like a probability, that we will be vaccinating people before the end of this four-week pause in our long-term care facilities and our frontline health care providers,” he said. “We can do this, Minnesota. We can get this right.”

“We’ve got a light at the end of the

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Fines Those caught violating the governor’s executive orders could face a $1,000 fine or up to 90 days in jail.

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Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2020 Issue 447