COVID-19: Coverage of the pandemic from MPR News

The latest news, resources, guides and tips to help you stay up to date on the coronavirus pandemic.

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ICU bed capacity varies widely nationwide. See how your county stacks up
An NPR analysis of the nation's 100,000 ICU beds finds some communities can accommodate far more critically ill patients than others, signaling potential disparities in care in the COVID-19 pandemic.
What's in it for you? $1,200 checks, 13 weeks of unemployment payments and more
Congress has announced agreement on a $2 trillion economic relief package for the effects of COVID-19. Most households will get a relief check, and unemployment insurance has been greatly expanded.
Minnesota's stay-at-home order: What you need to know
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order, intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 across the state and minimize its impacts, is a dramatic step that requires people to stay home unless absolutely necessary. It expires May 18.
Trump urges swift passage of coronavirus relief bill
President Trump crowed about what he called the success of the response to the crisis and detailed what he said were shipments of ventilators to New York and other deployments of supplies around the country. New York's governor and its mayor, both Democrats, are happy, Trump said.
How the coronavirus will force teaching and learning to change
By order of Gov. Tim Walz, K-12 schools in Minnesota have been closed for a week to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. When school starts up again, education will take place via distance learning. Teachers and administrators have been busy figuring out how that will work.
Walz emergency orders have some questioning whether he has too much power
Even before Wednesday's stay-at-home order, Gov. Tim Walz has been using executive orders to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The DFL governor insists his actions are necessary because of the health crisis, but some legislators are wondering why they aren’t involved in the decision making.
Can the U.S. crowdsource its way out of a mask shortage? No, but it still helps
The shortage of masks and other protective gear has left medical staff pleading for help. Several pop-up volunteer groups are matching individual donors with local hospitals most in need.