Hennepin County News and COVID-19 Update - June 6

Hennepin County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 06/06/2020 09:11 AM CDT

June 6, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Our community is in deep pain following the murder of George Floyd and its aftermath, and many people have lost access to necessities. Hennepin County is here to help. If you need help with clothing, financial assistance, groceries, medical care or medication, please see resources listed below, call our helpline at 612-348-3000, or reach out to my office. If you want to help, I've offered ideas below.

Due to the high volume of calls we've been receiving, it is proving difficult for my office to process voicemails in an expedient manner at this time. If you need assistance, please email my district aide, Laura Hoffman, at laura.hoffman@hennepin.us so that we can help you as quickly as possible.

Be well,

Support Local Community Efforts to Rebuild

Support is needed as communities across Minneapolis rebuild. The following links connect to organizations in-need or organizations directing rebuilding efforts. The links are by no means an exhaustive list, so please reach out to my office if you'd like help finding a cause, organization, or service to support.

Resources For Food, Clothing, Financial Assistance, Medication

With the loss of grocery stores and other damage affecting people’s access to food, clothing, financial assistance, groceries, medical care and equipment, and medication, the City of Minneapolis is compiling this list of resources to help residents.

Note: Information is changing rapidly. Please confirm the locations are still accepting or handing out donations before heading out: overview of resources.

For information on how to support food shelves and meal sites, please visit the Health Department’s food donations page or view the pdf for specific needs shared by food shelves.

Stay Safe While Protesting

We recommend that any Minnesotan who has attended a protest, vigil, or community clean-up get tested for COVID-19. If you start to feel sick, get tested right away. If you do not feel sick, get tested as soon as you can, but no later than 5-7 days after the event.

Find a COVID-19 testing location near you at mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/testing-locations/index.jsp. More community-based testing locations are coming very soon- be on lookout for location announcements

Emergency Rental Assistance Due to COVID-19

Hennepin County has emergency rental assistance available for low-income residents who can’t afford rent due to COVID-19. Learn more and apply here.

Small Business Relief Fund Increase

This week, the board continued small business relief funding — bringing the total to $25 million invested — and approved culturally-specific support for people experiencing homelessness.

Learn more about how the Board of Commissioners is responding.

Hennepin County Drop-Off Facilities Open With New Procedures and Changes in Operations

The Hennepin County Drop-off Facilities in Bloomington and Brooklyn Park are open for the public to dispose of hazardous waste, problem materials, and recycling.

The drop-off facilities are operating with new hours. The facilities are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The facilities are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

There have been some changes to the materials accepted. Residents should check guidelines at hennepin.us/dropoffs for updates and materials accepted, and can find specific disposal information for common household materials in the Green Disposal Guide.

With so much going on in our community and across the country, I've added this county media digest.

Murder investigation

Minneapolis City Council to hold emergency meeting Friday to discuss framework for systemic change, MPD, KSTP, June 5
Bail set at up to $1 million for three ex-Minneapolis police officers charged with abetting alleged murder of George Floyd, CNBC, June 4
George Floyd autopsy report released; he tested positive for COVID-19 in April, Star Tribune, June 4
Independent autopsy and Minnesota officials say George Floyd's death was homicide, CNN, June 3
George Floyd killing: pressure grows for other three officers to face charges, The Guardian, June 1

Demands for systemic change

Floyd Family attorney: George Floyd survived COVID-19, but not the 'pandemic' of racism, FOX 9, June 4
Local organizers to circulate petition calling for recall of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, KSTP, June 3
Minnesota Dept. of Human Rights files civil rights charge against Minneapolis police, KARE 11, June 3
Unions are Calling on Bob Kroll to Resign, Workday Minnesota, June 2
Minneapolis Public Schools terminates contract with Police Department over George Floyd's death, Star Tribune, June 2

Community focus

Volunteers pitch in to keep clean the site where George Floyd was killed, USA TODAY, June 4
Friends, Relatives Of George Floyd Grieve At Minneapolis Memorial Service, WCCO, June 4
Truck driver who sped into a crowd of protesters on a highway in Minneapolis released from jail without charges, Business Insider, June 3
Hennepin County tallies up damage to libraries, service centers in last week's riots, Star Tribune, June 2
Boxes of matches and jars of gasoline spook Minneapolis residents, MPR News, June 1

Request Your Absentee Ballot

All eligible voters in Minnesota can choose to vote by mail via absentee ballot.

To complete the application for an absentee ballot online you must:

Be eligible to register and vote in Minnesota
Provide an email address
Provide your identification number: MN-issued driver's license, Minnesota ID card or last 4 digits of Social Security Number

Complete your absentee ballot request here.

Up-to-Date Resources

Hennepin County Services

Up-to-date information about how to access Hennepin County services.

Hennepin County local resource site for information on food, health, safety, and housing resources.

Hennepin County Library Curbside Pickup FAQ

The Domestic Abuse Service Center is currently operating remotely. All services can be accessed by calling (612) 348-5073.

Health Resources

Find COVID-19 testing locations

State of Minnesota Dedicated COVID-19 Hotlines:

Community (schools, child care, business) questions: 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7:00 am – 7:00 pm)
Health questions: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7:00 am – 7:00 pm)

Ways to create your own non-medical grade mask.

Contact Standpoint advocacy services at 612-743-7397 if you are experience domestic abuse/violence.

Housing Resources

Call 612-348-5553 to speak with Healthcare for the Homeless staff about accessing quarantine and isolation space.

Homes for All COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness Resources

Additional resources for those experiencing housing instability.

Apply for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program

Food Resources

Minneapolis Public Schools meal pickup information

Saint Louis Park public school meal distribution information

'Free Meals for Kids' Mobile App

Designate someone to use your EBT card on your behalf.