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We can deal with COVID resurgence without declarations

Thanks to the delta variant, the number of COVID-19 cases is creeping back up in Minnesota, as it is across the country. This comes at a time after the Minnesota emergency regulations were lifted and the governor’s emergency powers have expired. But we shouldn’t need a return to the emergency powers, mask mandates and shutdown orders that we went through last year. The situation has changed. With the rate of vaccinations we have in Minnesota, there is a level of protection we didn’t have last year. We hope the rate of vaccinations will pick up as the number of COVID cases rise. ...

Report on Cuomo should lead to his resignation

The New York State Attorney General’s office released the findings of its five-month investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The report asserts that the governor harassed at least 11 women, many of them members of his staff or connected with New York state government. The harassment included suggestive or sexual comments, groping, unwanted hugs and kisses, and so on. Cuomo denies it all, or minimizes it as misunderstandings, or cultural differences (he’s a demonstrative Italian), or politically motivated bias. There should be no room in the ...

Building relationships at National Night Out

Law enforcement agencies in communities across the nation held National Night Out events Tuesday night. It was good to see the large turnout at Independence Park in Marshall. Thursday’s Independent front-page photo showcased the positive impact National Night Out can have on residents young and old. The photo showed a smiling Marshall police officer watching over a boy pedaling a four-wheel bicycle with a steering wheel through an obstacle course. The boy was wearing goggles that simulate the experience of driving while impaired. Many residents, young and old, only experience ...

Vaccination debate now affects football

People can be pretty unconcerned when talking about COVID-19 vaccinations. Do you worry about unvaccinated health care or nursing home workers? Perhaps. Do you worry about unvaccinated people next to you in restaurants or movie theaters? We have our shots, so we’re not worried. But now the vaccination question is affecting something really important — pro football. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has spent the past few days being quarantined and missing training camp, under the NFL’s COVID RULES, because he’s not vaccinated Suddenly, we’re paying attention. ...

Government needs to address evictions

This past weekend the federal government’s moratorium on evictions during the COVD-19 pandemic came to an end. For a year the moratorium had helped families who couldn’t keep up with their rent because of pandemic-related job cutbacks, shorter hours or illness from being evicted. As a result, eviction notices and actions are starting up, causing a run on the aid programs and courts that handle eviction hearings. This is a problem that the government knew was coming. The Biden Administration knew it could not extend the moratorium through the CDC, where it originated, because ...

Cash for vaccine?

Last week President Joe Biden encouraged states and local governments to up the ante — really! — for getting a COVID-19 vaccination. The Biden administration is recommending paying people $100 for getting the shot. That’s right, a Benjamin. A hondo. A C-note, or whatever slang term you want to use. States have already been offering incentives. In Minnesota you could get free Twins tickets or State Fair tickets, or state park sticker, or fishing licenses, California has given away $116.5 million in gift cards and prizes, the biggest payout pot in the country so far. But still, ...