COVID-19: Coverage of the pandemic from MPR News

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August 12, 2020 1:09 PM

In Minnesota, many Black women entrepreneurs missed out on PPP dollars

COVID-19 is hitting Black female entrepreneurs in Minnesota just like everyone else, but many missed on the federal lifeline for small businesses because their operations and business relationships don’t sync with traditional banking.

by Kathryn Styer Martinez

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August 12, 2020 10:18 AM

How the coronavirus has upended college admissions

Because of the pandemic, many students will be applying without standardized test scores and several other metrics selective schools have long relied on to make admissions decisions.

by Tovia Smith

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August 12, 2020 7:26 AM

Interest in homeschooling has 'exploded' amid pandemic

Some are worried their districts are unable to offer a strong virtual learning program. For others who may have been considering homeschooling, concerns for their family's health amid the coronavirus and the on-again, off-again planning for in-person instruction are leading them to part ways with school systems.

by The Associated Press

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August 12, 2020 6:08 AM

Payroll tax delay to boost take-home pay, but don't spend it yet

President Donald Trump has directed the Treasury Department to stop collecting payroll taxes this fall in an effort to boost workers' paychecks. But the move is temporary, and could spark headaches in 2021.

by Scott Horsley

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August 12, 2020 5:23 AM

Aug. 12 update on COVID-19 in MN: 12 more deaths; total cases top 62K

Wednesday’s count of new COVID-19 cases showed another day of moderate increases, but testing remained low making it hard to judge if the latest reports are evidence of a meaningful shift or a statistical blip.

by MPR News Staff

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August 11, 2020 5:13 PM

Ga. school district quarantines hundreds of students over fears of COVID-19 exposure

Barely a week after Georgia reopens its public schools, a district north of Atlanta reported nearly 60 positive tests among students, teachers and staff, and closed one hard-hit high school.

by Scott Neuman

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August 11, 2020 4:26 PM

Dr. Hallberg: Century-old public health measures still relevant today

Public health officials turned to social distancing to slow the spread of the 1918 flu. And, despite opposition like today, they promoted mask-wearing.

by Tom Crann and Dr. Jon Hallberg

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August 11, 2020 4:09 PM

Why parents are considering 'learning pods' for the fall semester

Some parents are hoping alternative methods will help them have more control over their students’ education, with some kids doing distance learning or a hybrid of distance learning and classroom learning, for the foreseeable future. MPR News host Angela Davis explores alternatives to classroom learning and solo distance learning, and their pros and cons.

by Angela Davis and Katie Moritz

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August 11, 2020 3:42 PM

Schools ready to address pandemic-driven mental health needs

Even before COVID-19, about 15 percent of school-age kids were thought to have a mental health or behavioral disorder, and schools were having a hard time providing enough mental health support. The pandemic has only added stress to the system.

by Alisa Roth

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August 11, 2020 2:13 PM

Big Ten postpones football, other fall sports over coronavirus concerns

The Big Ten said it would “continue to evaluate a number of options,” including possibly playing football and other fall sports in the spring. Later Tuesday, the Pac-12 Conference said it was canceling its fall football season.

by Brakkton Booker and MPR News Staff

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