Dear Neighbors,
It has been a trying couple of weeks for many in our state, country, and world. I have been asked by many how they can help others during this crisis, so I've compiled a few ideas and resources below. We are all in this together!
Ways to Help
Support Our Medical Professionals
Hospitals across the nation and here in Minnesota are running out of important personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gowns, that help keep them safe while diagnosing and treating patients.
Due to this nationwide shortage, the Minnesota Nurses Association, local hospitals, and others are calling for donations of factory-made N95 ear loop masks or for volunteers to create CDC-approved, reusable face masks. Instructions on how to make hand sewn masks can be found on their website.
Masks can be safely donated starting Sunday, March 22 through April 5, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E 28th St, Minneapolis, MN
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital – West Health, 2805 Campus Dr, Plymouth, MN
- Buffalo Hospital, 303 Catlin St, Buffalo, MN
- Cambridge Medical Center, 701 S Dellwood St, Cambridge, MN
- District One Hospital, 200 State Ave, Faribault, MN
- Mercy Hospital – Mercy Campus, Coon Rapids, 4050 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN
- Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus, Fridley, 550 Osborne Rd, Fridley, MN
- New Ulm Medical Center, 1324 5th St N, New Ulm, MN
- Owatonna Hospital, 2250 NW 26th St, Owatonna, MN
- Regina Medical Center, 1175 Nininger Rd, Hastings, MN
- River Falls Area Hospital, Wisconsin, 1629 E Division St, River Falls, WI
- St. Francis Regional Medical Center, 1455 St. Francis Ave, Shakopee, MN
- United Hospital, 333 Smith Ave N, St. Paul, MN
- Courage Kenny Rehabilitation, Golden Valley, 3915 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN
Please be sure to remain in your car when you arrive to donate. A staff member will come to you to accept your donation.
This is a great way to support our healthcare professionals as they treat and diagnose Minnesotans. Please be sure to thank a doctor or nurse today!
Donate Blood
The American Red Cross needs your help! The Red Cross faces a severe shortage because nearly 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Blood drives account for more than 80 percent of blood that the Red Cross collects, so if you are healthy and eligible to donate, please visit RedCrossBlood.org, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule an appointment.
Support Local Businesses
Many restaurants are still open for takeout and need your support! Please check out our local restaurants if you can, and support them by buying gift cards or getting takeout or delivery.
Follow the CDC's Recommendations
One of the biggest ways you can help stop the spread of the virus is to minimize contact with others. If you do go out, practice social distancing of at least 6 feet, and as always, wash your hands often. This is not a comprehensive list of CDC recommendations - you can see the CDC's full list of ways to protect yourself here.
Legislative Business
While we are not meeting like we normally would during session, discussions are ongoing about legislative business that should get done before the end of session. One thing that keeps coming up in my conversations with people is my bill allocating $2 million in bonding funds to build a dental clinic in Wright County.
The clinic would be built into the new Wright County Government building currently under construction. The clinic would serve the poorest in the region who face severe shortages of dentists who can afford to take Medical Assistance patients, because the reimbursement rate for MA is below their costs.
This bill would be an incredibly important resource for our community, and I will continue to fight for it to be included in a future bonding bill.
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