Gov. Tim Walz announced on Wednesday that state workers would be required to show they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to work, or take weekly COVID tests to prove they are COVID negative.

It’s a move that is being made by companies, schools and states across the nation, in some states at least. In others, governors are banning mask mandates, to the consternation of school districts that fear the resurgence of COVID cases due to the fast-spreading delta variant virus. In Texas, Utah and other states where the mask mandates are banned, school districts are defying governors’ orders and requiring masks anyway.

The Minnesota government workers’ order is not a statewide mandate. The governor is not ordering school districts to do anything, or businesses, or private citizens.

But it does show the concern among scientists and health officials about the threat level. COVID is not over. The governor expects state workers to do what they can to keep government running smoothly.

It makes sense to take the COVID vaccination when available. It keeps people safer. We should all think about that.