Points to Consider: Triage in the Perspective of Catholic Bioethics
Over the past several months, the virus causing COVID-19 disease has been spreading silently throughout the world, infecting hundreds of thousands of people. COVID-19 already has killed over eighteen thousand people worldwide, and it threatens to hospitalize and kill countless more as well as to overwhelm systems of health care delivery. As the pandemic spreads in breadth and depth, people are beginning to call for programs of triage and rationing of health care. How should Catholic health care professionals and administrators address these issues? (more…)
Stay at Home Directive in Minnesota
Governor Walz issued an order most Minnesotans have been expecting for days. Effective Friday, March 27th at 11:59 pm, Minnesota residents are ordered to “Stay at Home” until Friday, April 10th at 5 pm. The Executive Order 20-20 provides exemptions for Critical Sectors, as defined in the US Department of Homeland Security CISA Guidance and a number of additional categories. Attached is the Order 20-20 along with a document provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, which lists Critical Industries by NAICS Code. Order 20-20 provides exemptions for the following activities: Relocation to ensure safety, Health and safety activities, Outdoor activities, Necessary supplies and services, Essential intra and inter state travel, care of others and displacement.
The following webpage has been created by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to assist employers and employees in determining whether their business or job is an essential service. The website also provides a process for businesses to request an exemption to the Governor’s order.
The most important take away from today’s announcement – if you can continue your business operations remotely, you can keep your business open. If you need help trying to navigate the Governor’s Order, or the process for requesting an exemption please let me know.
The Governor also announced he has amended two previous executive orders. Executive Order 20-18, amends the Governor’s Executive Order 20-04 and extends the closing of bars, restaurants, gyms and entertainment facilities until 5 pm on May 1st. Executive Order 20-19, amends the Governor’s Executive Order 20-01, and extends school closings until May 4th. This order also directs all schools to begin implementing “distance learning”.
Other items of interest announced during the Governor’s now daily 2pm press event
- Unemployment claims now exceed 164,000, women have been disproportionally impacted according to a DEED analysis of the filings.
- 287 confirmed cases, 26 hospitalizations and 1 death. 6,365 tests have been conducted.
- A violation of the “Stay at Home” order is punishable by a $1,000 fine or imprisonment of not more than 90 days.
Legislative Updates
On Thursday, the Minnesota Legislature will return to St. Paul for a brief session. The House is set to start at noon and the Senate plans to start at 2 pm. House and Senate Committees have been holding informal working group meetings for the past week. Issue area leads and Committee Chairs have been limiting participation in the discussions to keep from triggering Minnesota’s open meeting laws. The discussions have been conducted by conference calls and Zoom. After substantial backlash from Minnesota reporters, the House released the following webpage with details regarding legislative activity during the recess.
Minnesota House COVID-19 Updates
House and Senate Leadership have promised to post the COVID-19 bill scheduled for Thursday’s debate once it is finalized. Leadership is also working on plans for managing the floor sessions, while also recognizing the Minnesota Department of Health’s social distancing guidelines. The House has announced there will be no public access to the second floor of the Capitol during the session. Reporter access will also be limited, and there are no plans for the Legislature to hold any hearings on what is projected to be a massive piece of legislation with a price tag that may near $350 million.
The House and Senate Sessions will be available online at the following links.
These are challenging times for all us, we are trying our best to keep everyone updated in an environment that changes numerous times each and every day.
Governor’s Executive Order
This afternoon Governor Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-01. The authority of the Executive Order will expire after 5 days unless it is approved by the Executive Council. (more…)
Health officials announce new community-level strategies to slow COVID-19 in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today announced a series of community-level strategies to help slow the spread of novel coronavirus in Minnesota communities. With a total of 14 cases of travel-associated COVID-19 now confirmed in Minnesota, health officials urge swift action to limit the spread of the infection and reduce its impacts on our communities and our health care system. (more…)
Catholic Response to Outbreak of Coronavirus
Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace; Sean Callahan, president of Catholic Relief Services; and Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, issued a statement addressing the Catholic response to the outbreak of the coronavirus. (more…)
2020 Legislative Begins Today
When last we saw the Legislature in action, members passed a nearly $50 billion budget — mostly in a special session — to keep the state operating until mid-2021.
So what must be done in the 2020 session that started at noon Tuesday, February 11 and must end by May 18? Nothing. (more…)
Archbishop Paglia: never euthanasia, assisted suicide and abandoning the sick
Vatican to host interfaith meeting on end-of-life issues
Helping society move from a throwaway culture to “one that cares” is the goal of a Dec. 11-12 conference being co-organized by the Vatican.
“The sick and the elderly are considered people who have nothing left to offer,” said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life. (more…)
Fairview to cut staff, consider trims to hospitals: Workforce could shrink by 2%, and St. Joseph’s Hospital could be closed
Leaders of M Health Fairview disclosed Friday that the giant health care system will cut as much as 2% of its staff, the first of several potential changes for the newly branded organization that could include reduced operations at the Bethesda rehabilitation hospital and the potential closure of St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown St. Paul.
Benedictine president/CEO Named One of Minnesota’s Most Powerful Leaders
For the second year in a row, Jerry Carley, Benedictine Health System president /CEO, is featured in the recently released 2019 issue of The Minnesota 500, The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Minnesota. This annual publication, produced by the publisher of Minnesota Monthly magazine, recognizes and celebrates Minnesota’s leading business executives across a variety of industries. Benedictine is one of the largest Catholic providers of senior care and living services in the United States. (more…)