News & Politics

6 lives changed forever: How COVID-19 ravaged Minnesota

From a funeral home to a restaurant, in the government and at home with a newborn, the pandemic upended how we live, how we grieve, and how we look into the future.

By Reid Forgrave

The Minnesota Star Tribune
October 5, 2020 at 7:32PM
Clockwise from top left, Rick Huggins, Mark Arnold, Lena Gardner, Jan Malcolm, Tammy Wong and Patrick Stith are among the Minnesotans whose lives have been affected by COVID-19.
Clockwise from top left, Rick Huggins, Mark Arnold, Lena Gardner, Jan Malcolm, Tammy Wong and Patrick Stith are among the Minnesotans whose lives have been affected by COVID-19. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Funeral director Mark Arnold, Lena Gardner with daughter Winifred and Rainbow Restaurant owner and chef Tammy Wong are among the Minnesotans whose lives have been affected by COVID-19.
Funeral director Mark Arnold, Lena Gardner with daughter Winifred and Rainbow Restaurant owner and chef Tammy Wong are among the Minnesotans whose lives have been affected by COVID-19. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
For weeks, Rick Huggins fought for his life in the hospital while his wife, Patti, clung to any whisper of hope from his nurses. After 50 days, they were finally reunited.
For weeks, Rick Huggins fought for his life in the hospital while his wife, Patti, clung to any whisper of hope from his nurses. After 50 days, they were finally reunited. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Reid Forgrave

State/Regional Reporter

Reid Forgrave covers Minnesota and the Upper Midwest for the Star Tribune, particularly focused on long-form storytelling, controversial social and cultural issues, and the shifting politics around the Upper Midwest. He started at the paper in 2019.

See Moreicon

More from News & Politics

See More

St. Paul

St. Paul alleges contractor made off with nearly $1M meant for financial literacy lessons

card image
Renée Jones Schneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune

A federal lawsuit alleges a Maryland company never delivered the lessons meant to tie into the city’s college savings program for newborns.

News & Politics

Republican state senator admonishes Trump for calling Somalis ‘garbage,’ invites him to Minnesota

State Rep. Jim Abeler asked Somalis for their vote in the August 12 primary in his race against Mike McFadden to go up against Sen. Al Franken for the U.S. Senate seat. He handed out brochures in both English and Somali Friday after prayers at Somali Village Market in Minneapolis. ] Friday, August 1, 2014. GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1408011641271205

News & Politics

More Minnesota 911 centers embedding social workers to expand help for callers in crisis

card image