Statement on Hennepin County State of Emergency and COVID-19
We are in an unprecedented time with growing concern and uncertainty. Hennepin County has declared a state of emergency, which was initiated by Chair Greene and will be affirmed by the County Board tomorrow (Tuesday March 17th at 1:30pm). Effective immediately, Hennepin County is closing all public-facing services at all of our libraries, human service centers, and licensing service centers through April 6, 2020. We have not taken this decision lightly and understand the hardship this creates for our customers, clients, and residents.
I encourage individuals and families to make decisions that promote the overall well-being and health of our communities. This includes:
Residents taking actions that slow the spread, such as limiting face-to-face interactions and washing your hands. See MDH website for more information on strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Shifting how you engage with public services, especially because businesses are reducing operations and political leaders are closing public spaces. For Hennepin, check out our website as it is changing regularly.
Seeking resources, such as our Tenant Resource Center, Mental Health Crisis Line, Hennepin County Food Assistance, or Help With Utility Bills.
As the situation evolves and needs shift, I am looking to and will work alongside local, state, and federal leaders in order to make strong and holistic decisions on behalf of Hennepin County. Specifically, I commit to:
Prioritizing Hennepin’s Public Health Response
We have a unique role in the metro and across the state, and I am grateful for the robust public health response Hennepin is able to implement. In partnership with various entities and through our own departments, we are working toward:
Waiving copays for COVID-19 testing to the extent permitted by law.
Securing capacity for compliant quarantine facilities so we are prepared to act at scale.
Shifting Hennepin Healthcare (formerly HCMC) operating procedures to keep the workforce healthy while they deliver high-quality care to patients.
Shifting NorthPoint and Healthcare for the Homeless operating procedures to keep the workforce healthy while they deliver high-quality care to patients.
Supporting Modifications to Hennepin’s Service Model
Our workforce serves key functions for our communities, especially during times of heightened need. Hennepin is required to be responsive to federal and state actions, while also being as responsive as possible to the requests of our workforce and residents. These decisions are not taken lightly, and I am supporting County leaders in the following measures:
Continuing to reduce, postpone, and cancel activities or work wherever possible.
Limiting or eliminating face-to-face interactions, which will mean new operating procedures and service delivery methods for residents and our workforce.
Expanding policies related to workforce leave.
Suspending adherence to state statutes or laws that conflict with our abilities to care for residents and our workforce.
Advocating for Broader Measures Toward Economic Stability
This global health crisis is disrupting every part of our daily lives—workplaces are closing, young people are not in school, and our health system is at risk of being overwhelmed. These factors are causing economic strain for individuals and families all across our communities, and I am hoping that political leaders will have the courage to act swiftly on behalf of residents. While I do not have decision-making authority for many decisions, I will seek partnership with state leaders and agencies to advocate for the following broader measures:
Suspending evictions and related proceedings, so that people can remain stably housed.
Expanding eligibility and speeding up processes for assistance programs, such as Emergency Assistance (for housing), SNAP, Unemployment Benefits, and more.
Expanding resources for employers, so that they can take actions that benefit their workforce.
In closing, I am hopeful that we come together to advance the robust and holistic response needed during this crisis. I have immense gratitude for each of you as we collectively take actions to promote the overall well-being and health of our communities.
I am grateful for the leadership of all Hennepin workers, and a special thanks to those who take on additional risk by working on the frontlines—healthcare personnel, custodial staff, people who prepare our food and keep the shelves stocked, emergency responders, library workers, educators, service center staff, as well as many more. Thank you for your service, future generations are indebted to you.