With the rapid increase of COVID-19 infections, we urge you to keep gatherings and holiday events intimate this year by celebrating only with members of your household.  

Make plans to connect with your extended family over the phone and online.  

And take heart. This won’t be a new, long-standing tradition. What we do now to take care of each other and slow the spread of COVID-19 will help get us back to getting together in the future. 

Keep your baby safe when they sleep  

Each year, more than 50 Minnesota babies die suddenly and unexpectantly, and most of these deaths happen in an unsafe sleep environment.  

The COVID-19 pandemic can increase stress and fatigue, affecting parents’ ability to ensure that their baby is sleeping safely. Check out these two safe sleep resources: 

• Interactive safe sleep environment tool 
• CDC’s COVID-19 pregnancy, breastfeeding, and caring for newborns webpage 

Hennepin County community testing events are open to everyone. Here are two events: 

Saturday, November 14 

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Hennepin County Human Services Center 
• 1001 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411 
• This is a walk-up event 
• No appointment needed 
• Interpreters available 
• Free cloth masks  

Friday, November 20 

• 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
• Brooklyn Park Islamic Center 
• 2100 93rd Way, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 
• This is a walk-up event 
• No appointment needed 
• Interpreters available 
• Free cloth masks 

Learn more: hennepin.us/testing   

Saliva test sites open at the Minneapolis Convention Center, MSP airport 

The Minnesota Department of Health just opened semi-permanent saliva test sites at the Minneapolis Convention Center and MSP Airport. In the Twin Cities, there are also saliva test sites in Brooklyn Park and St. Paul.  

Saliva testing is free and open to all Minnesotans. 

Learn more: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/saliva.html 

Get a saliva test – at home 

Minnesota is now offering at-home COVID-19 testing for any person who wants to be tested, with or without symptoms, at no cost. Learn more: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/athome.html 

What to do while you wait for a COVID-19 test result 

Stay home while you wait for your test results, especially if you have symptoms. Let people you have been in recent close contact with know that you may have COVID-19 and tell them that they should stay away from others until they hear from you. Learn more: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/waiting.pdf

Mental health matters 

Hennepin County is partnering with Allina Health's Change to Chill program to offer free virtual mental well-being sessions for teens and caregivers. Learn more and register: https://www.changetochill.org/hennepincounty/

Apply now for help with rent and housing costs  

Don’t let unpaid rent and housing costs add up. Help is available to households that have been impacted by COVID-19: hennepin.us/housing-help 

Elevate Business HC is here for businesses  

Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber just launched Elevate Business HC, an initiative to support businesses in Hennepin County that have been impacted by COVID-19 through: 

• Technical assistance: Professional service providers are available for one-on-one consultations to discuss and find solutions for issues impacting businesses 
• Peer-to-peer roundtables: Reoccurring and facilitated small group discussions segmented by industry and participant interest  
• Topic-driven webinars: Industry and subject matter experts will discuss issues facing employers, with a focus on workforce needs in remote environments during COVID-19 

Learn more: www.elevatebusinesshc.com