A book a day to keep Covid-19 away
Governor Tim Walz gives update about Covid-19 and proposes Minnesota’s largest book club.
Governor Walz’s family sets a positive example through their good reading habits.
With a heavy heart, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner, Jan Malcolm, announced four more Minnesota deaths on March 29, 2020, during the Minnesota Department of Health briefing. Now the number of deaths due to COVID-19 in the state of 10,000 lakes is up to a total of nine. In MN, those dead range from ages 50-90. As of Sunday, there were 503 laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of over 17,700 tests given statewide, but there are many more cases which haven’t been confirmed yet. The public must remain cautious. Although the statistics are disheartening, Governor Walz tried to lighten the mood by presenting a creative outlet for Minnesotans.
During the global pandemic, the Governor encouraged and supported Minnesotans to “start the state’s largest book club.” On Saturday, the governor tweeted a video of him and his family, sharing the books they are currently reading or have finished. With the new ‘stay at home’ order, Governor Walz hopes to help pass the time by reading and encourages others to do the same. He would like other Minnesotans to tweet what they are reading and suggest other great books.
Displayed in the tweeted video, Gwen Walz, Governor Tim Walz’s wife, is reading “Mississippi Sissy,” a remarkable memoir from Kevin Sessums. Tim Walz is reading “Cryptonomicon” written by Neal Stephenson. Their daughter Hope is reading “Uneasy Peace: The Great Crime Decline, the Renewal of City Life, and the Next War on Violence,” written by Patrick sharkey. Their son Gus revealed he is reading Matthew Stover’s “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,” after he finished his Xbox tournament.
In response to the tweet, many Minnesotans were already suggesting books by Sunday morning. one of which was very prominent. Brian McClung tweeted about reading David Herbert Donald’s “Lincoln.” He wrote: “The First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment did our state proud then. We’ll get through this together too.”
The virtual book club is helping to build a sense of community during these trying times.
Governor Tim Walz’s tweet has gotten a warm response. To add your own book recommendation, go to Tim Walz’s tweet.
Hey y’all, My name is Anna and I’m an Editor-in-Chief of the Lantern. I’m involved in pretty much everything that exists. I’m my free time, (which...
