Boozhoo, aaniin, I’m Cole Premo, here’s your Daily Update.

With the end of May in sight, over 2.5 million Minnesotans are fully vaccinated from COVID-19. It’s one of many positive signs being observed at this stage in the pandemic, but there’s still work to do. 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz marked the milestone recently, saying he is deeply grateful for those 2.5 million Minneostans who completed their vaccine series.  It means over 53% of the state’s eligible population, including 12 to 15 year olds, have completed their vaccine series. 

Along with the announcement, the governor also touted a New York Times analysis that found new cases of the virus in Minnesota have dropped nearly 50% from May 10 through May 24, which is faster than all but six other states in that timeframe. 

The state’s positivity rate and hospitalizations also continue to steadily decline. 

While there’s been strong progress, Gov. Walz and health experts say more people need to be vaccinated. So, the state is making it easier and easier, with more vaccines being provided before sports events, and there are six retrofitted mobile vaccination buses bringing doses directly to communities. Plus, all the state’s community vaccination sites are offering walk-in appointments. 

Those who want to search by vaccine type can go to Vaccines.gov. 

I’m Cole Premo. Quickly before I go, this is the last scheduled COVID-19 daily update for now and I just wanted to say it’s been a pleasure and privilege providing information to you, and Minnesota’s communities. 

Make sure to check out more of my content, and the work of many other talented people, at Minnesota Native News at MNnativenews.org. 

Stay safe and be well! 

Minnesota’s mask mandate has been lifted. The CDC says it’s safe for fully-vaccinated people to go maskless indoors and outdoors.

But the COVID-19 virus is still thriving and spreading. That’s why health officials say it’s so vital for non-vaccinated adults to get vaccinated. And for parents to get their eligible children vaccinated.

Why? Because the virus always seeks out those who are most vulnerable to infection in any space. That’s how it moves person to person and survives. 

The Pfizer COVID vaccine has been approved for children ages 12 to 15. Already more than 7 million people under 17 have been vaccinated in the United States.

Vaccinating kids is important for getting them back to school safely. Most children who get infected with COVID develop no symptoms or only mild symptoms. But they also run a potential risk of becoming seriously ill.

With more and more adults getting vaccinated, health experts worry that children might soon become the main group for the virus infection and transmission.

Minnesota health providers are currently vaccinating 12 – to 15-year olds. It’s recommended you call ahead to make sure the Pfizer vaccine is available.

With many expected to travel over the summer, the Minnesota Department of Health has guidelines for making a safe summer plan during the pandemic. 

MDH says the COVID-19 virus is still circulating in the United States and across the world, so there are still many things that need to be considered before traveling. 

According to MDH, fully vaccinated people, if they travel in the United States, do not need to get tested before and after travel, nor do they need to self-quarantine. You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the final dose of the vaccine. 

Those who are not vaccinated and travel out of state, they are advised to get tested three to five days after traveling and to stay home and quarantine for a full seven days after travel.

MDH is encouraging potential travelers to think of ways to do small getaways locally. 

Those who want to get away on a summer road trip are advised to make sure everyone who can be fully vaccinated is before taking off. 

Another reminder is to be up to date on other routine vaccinations, like measles, since other diseases are still around. 

For international travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends delaying this type of travel unless you are fully vaccinated. The CDC says travel of this kind can introduce variants to the state that can then spread in its communities. 

Those who travel internationally and are fully vaccinated are still recommended to test three to five days after travel. Those who are not fully vaccinated are advised to get tested one to three days before the trip, and understand all airline and destination requirements which may differ from United States’ requirements. 

For more information on that, and other travel recommendations, check the CDC’s website. 

The state of Minnesota is partnering with private health plans in an effort to give more Minnesotans the opportunity to get vaccinated. 

According to state officials, the departments of health and human services are working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Hennepin Health, Itasca Medical Care, Medica, PreferredOne, PrimeWest Health, South Country Health Alliance, and UCare.

The health plans will be working with the state to contact members and provide them with information on vaccination and help in scheduling appointments for vaccination. There will also be help with transportation and other services. 

The partnership is being called an effort to address equity in vaccinations, as communities of color are believed to be hardest hit by the virus, but have less access to the vaccine. 

Those who are enrolled in Minnesota health care programs, like Medical Assistance and Minnesota Care, should expect to have someone reach out to them. The effort will also focus on those who live in the most socially-vulnerable ZIP codes. 

Meanwhile, the state’s latest positivity and hospitalization rate have been decreasing, but community spread remains a concern. 

Nearly 5 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state. Nearly 90 percent of those ages 65 and up have received at least one vaccine dose; 62% of those 16 and up have also received at least one dose. 

The state is still strongly encouraging those who haven’t been vaccinated, and are eligible, to get a vaccine to not only protect themselves, but their community. 

Over 60 percent of Minnesotans 16 and older have been vaccinated for COVID-16.

Minnesota ranks in the top ten by state for percentage of COVID vaccines administered.

Governor Tim Walz has credited Tribal communities within Minnesota for setting the pace and for showing how to get vaccines to those who need them most.

These sovereign nations have been so effective because they focused vaccination efforts on elders and multi-generational households for native and non-native residents within their lands. Tribal leaders also made getting shots easier, bringing the vaccine to those who might have barriers to accessing it.

President Joe Biden too wants to make vaccinations more convenient. 

One way is through the government website VACCINES dot GOV. There you can input your zip code to find vaccines near you. You can designate how far you’re willing to travel, one to 25 miles. And you can limit results by selecting a preferred vaccine: Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson.

The search results offer a list of available providers by distance and whether vaccines are in or out of stock. By clicking the provider, you can check availability and make an appointment.

A map, directions, phone number and link to the provider’s website are also given. 

Beginning May 24, Uber and Lyft will be offering free round-trip rides to vaccination clinics. This is part of a federal effort to get at least one dose into at least 70 percent of Americans by July 4.

Script: Boozhoo, aaniin, I’m Cole Premo, here’s your Daily Update.
 
 In an effort to help Minnesota’s students recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tim Walz says he will be leveraging federal funds to provide academic enrichment and mental health support over the summer. 
 
 According to Walz, he is funding summer learning opportunities by allocating $75 million of the flexible State Fiscal Stabilization Funds in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
 
 Walz and Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan announced the funds for academic and mental health support at Otter Lake Elementary School in White Bear Lake. 
 
 19:59 WALZ: “All of these were requested from school leaders. They were asking to get this out there for our kids. We’d have liked to have seen it come out earlier. 
 
 24:00 FLANAGAN: We worked together to get to this point. We have the shared value of getting our kids what they need. Are able to prevent some of the summer slide and to catch up.”
 
 The funding is going to academic and mental health support, preschools for 4 and 5 year olds, school-linked mental health grants, expanded access to tutoring, increased adult basic education program funding and learning acceleration and college readiness initiatives. 
 
 I’m Cole Premo.

The COVID pandemic is by no means over. Yet the CDC is saying that it’s okay for fully vaccinated people to go without masks and social distancing indoors and outdoors—in most circumstances.

Minnesota has also lifted its mask mandate, but has left it up to cities and businesses to make their own determination.

What prompted the sudden turnaround?

Two things. First, fully-vaccinated people rarely become infected and, even less likely, rarely transmit the virus. Second, currently available vaccines appear to be effective against variants.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are 94 percent effective in preventing COVID-related illness, hospitalization or death. Even those who’ve only gotten their first shot gain a huge benefit, with an 82-percent effectiveness against variants.

Because the Johnson & Johnson vaccine became available later, there are fewer studies available. Health experts are still gathering data on how well it prevents infection and transmission.

Some retailers are already revising COVID safety guidelines. Walmart, Costco and Starbucks have announced mask-free shopping for fully-vaccinated customers, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial regulations.

Yet the CDC’s relaxed guidelines do not extend to all spaces. Mask wearing and social distancing are recommended in healthcare settings and on public transportation.

Minnesota’s mask mandate has been lifted, but that doesn’t mean that some top health leaders aren’t worried about the potential impact the decision could have on the vaccination push, as well as more vulnerable communities in the state. 
 
 After Gov. Tim Walz announced he’d drop the statewide requirement for masking during the pandemic following updated CDC guidance, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm stepped up to the podium. 
 
 10:26 MALCOLM: I have really mixed feelings about this. I certainly agree with the governor that there is good news here. 
 
 Malcolm said it’s been found that the vaccine is enormously effective in not only preventing illness and death, but has also been found to prevent asymptomatic illness.. Which means those vaccinated aren’t putting others at risk unknowingly. 
 
 11:09 MALCOLM: I think it’s important that people understand what the guidance is. It means people who are fully vaccinated are free to go back to activities we were doing before the pandemic. 
 
 However, Malcolm notes that there are still many who are not vaccinated in the state, and that’s concerning. Around 61% of those ages 16 and up have gotten at least one dose so far. 
 
 MALCOLM: 61% is not nearly enough to keep this virus suppressed, so we continue to advise those who are not vaccinated to take precautions. 
 
 Malcolm said that minority populations are not being vaccinated at the rate of their white counterparts, so getting the vaccine to these communities is even more important. 
 
 In an effort to address and improve equity in the vaccination push, the state will be partnering with private health plans, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and HealthPartners, to reach Minnesotans enrolled in Minnesota health care programs such as Medical Assistance and Minnesotacare. The effort will also focus on getting doses to people who live in the most socially vulnerable zip codes. 
 
Minnesota’s mask mandate has been lifted, but that doesn’t mean that some top health leaders aren’t worried about the potential impact the decision could have on the vaccination push, as well as more vulnerable communities in the state. 
 
 After Gov. Tim Walz announced he’d  drop the statewide requirement for masking during the pandemic following updated CDC guidance, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm stepped up to the podium. 
 
 10:26 MALCOLM: I have really mixed feelings about this. I certainly agree with the governor that there is good news here. 
 
 Malcolm said it’s been found that the vaccine is enormously effective in not only preventing illness and death, but has also been found to prevent asymptomatic illness.. Which means those vaccinated aren’t putting others at risk unknowingly. 
 
 11:09 MALCOLM: I think it’s important that people understand what the guidance is. It means people who are fully vaccinated are free to go back to activities we were doing before the pandemic. 
 
 However, Malcolm notes that there are still many who are not vaccinated in the state, and that’s concerning. Around 61% of those ages 16 and up have gotten at least one dose so far. 
 
 MALCOLM: 61% is not nearly enough to keep this virus suppressed, so we continue to advise those who are not vaccinated to take precautions. 
 
 Malcolm said that minority populations are not being vaccinated at the rate of their white counterparts, so getting the vaccine to these communities is even more important. 
 
 In an effort to address and improve equity in the vaccination push, the state will be partnering with private health plans, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and HealthPartners, to reach Minnesotans enrolled in Minnesota health care programs such as Medical Assistance and Minnesotacare. The effort will also focus on getting doses to people who live in the most socially vulnerable zip codes. 
 

Minnesota’s mask mandate is no more. 

WALZ:”It’s a good day, it’s one more sign of a back to normalcy.”

Gov. Tim Walz recently signed the executive order ending the mandate following updated CDC guidance, which said fully vaccinated people can forgo masks in most indoor and outdoor settings.

However, masks will still be a very common sight in many businesses and cities. 

WALZ: “There will be decisions that can be made by local businesses and jurisdictions, especially health care settings, people will continue to mask in some of those settings.”

The move comes as vaccinations for those 65 years of age and older is nearing 90%. And over 61% of those 16 years of age and up have received at least one vaccine dose. Health officials would like to see that increase to 70% by the end of June. 

WALZ: Those of you who are not vaccinated, Now is the perfect time to get vaccinated. You can go without a mask. 

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said she had mixed feelings about the end of the mask mandate, with equity gaps for those who have been vaccinated and the fact that there are still people at risk. 

More on that and attempts to address the equity gaps in a future update. 

Herd immunity. That has been the longed-for goal since the COVID pandemic began. Once we reach herd immunity, we’ll rein in the coronavirus and life can get back to normal.

Now, almost half a year into the vaccination rollout, health experts are questioning whether the United States can actually reach herd immunity.

Herd immunity is the idea that if you get enough people vaccinated, the virus will have nowhere to go. When you reduce the number of potential hosts, the virus has a harder time jumping person to person. And eventually, the virus dies out or becomes isolated and easily containable.

So why do experts now think herd immunity is unlikely? Because of rapidly evolving COVID variants and vaccine hesitancy.

The vaccination campaign is a race against the COVID variants. You want to get as many people vaccinated before the virus evolves to a point where the vaccinations lose their effectiveness.

Even though half of Americans have received at least one dose, demand for vaccines has dropped recently. Most of those eager to get vaccinated have already done so. That leaves people who are hesitant to get the vaccine and those who are harder to reach through traditional vaccine outlets.

This may lead some to think: Why bother getting vaccinated at all?

Because vaccinations are crucial to limiting the spread of COVID. With enough vaccinations, the pandemic could transform into a manageable threat. COVID would continue to circulate but with far fewer hospitalizations and deaths.