A year ago, before we had a confirmed COVID-19 case in the state, Sen. Jerry Relph (who died in December) offered the first COVID bill in the Legislature. It passed with unanimous support in the only divided legislature in the country.
Within a few weeks we had passed nearly half a billion dollars in funding for COVID response. A year ago we lacked adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), didn't know how the virus transmitted, and medical professionals had limited experience and no proven therapeutic treatments.
The first case was confirmed in Minnesota on March 6, 2020. By March 17, executive powers were declared, businesses and schools were closed, and life as we knew it was totally changed.
Since that time, we've learned best practices for mitigation, stood up PPE supply chains, developed therapeutic treatment for COVID patients and distributed multiple vaccines across the state. Every day is a day closer to normal.
Thinking about one year of COVID reminded me that Ronald Reagan once asked the question: "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" The type of questions he asked are relevant today. Reagan asked: Is it easier to go buy things? Is there more or less unemployment? Is our state as respected? Do you feel more safe? Are we as strong?
Compared to one year ago, it is not easier to buy things at the store — even if the store hasn't been forced out of business.
Too many are unemployed or have left the workforce as executive orders have restricted businesses.
Minnesota voters are not respected when Gov. Tim Walz acts without the Legislature having input.