At 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 15, Minnesota’s Governor, Tim Walz, cut into regular scheduled programming to address the role COVID-19 will play in MN schools. All school districts, no matter public, private, or charter, across the state of 10,000 lakes will be closed starting Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 27. Walz stressed, “Minnesotans always come together,” and that the current crisis will be no different. 

The governor then passed the mic onto Mary Cathryn Ricker, the Minnesota Commissioner of Education. She maintained the next two weeks, even in the midst of spring break season, will be used as a testing period for schools to get their ducks in a row. A comprehensive education plan has been posted for all educators, which, in Ricker’s eyes, is “the most well equipped plan in the country.” 

Next, the State’s Workforce Commissioner, Steve Grove emphasized how workers within the state should not and will not be penalized for working from home. The Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner, Jan Malcom, also maintained the urgency of the current outbreak. Currently, there are 35 cases of the coronavirus in Minnesota. She further detailed events of 250 people or more should be canceled and smaller events of 200 or less people should practice social distancing of at least six feet. To close, Governor Walz, assured Minnesotans that proper and strategic planning which has been put in place will help the state get through this pandemic. 

Although other schools across the states have already closed for Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17, Cannon Falls Schools has not come out with that closure. For now, the community can wait to hear from District 252’s Superintendent, Jeff Sampson. Regardless of what the next two days bring, Cannon Falls will be closed due to the executive order starting Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, March 27.