Senator Pratt response to Gov.

Walz business
restrictions: ‘Gov must immediately show us a plan of
how he is going to protect families, businesses, and
jobs’
 
(St. Paul) -- Minnesota State Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) released the following
statement in response to reports that Gov. Walz will announce tonight a new round of
business restrictions and closures for the next month:
 
“COVID is serious, and we mourn with the families of the 3,000 neighbors who lost
their lives. So far, Governor Walz has managed the state’s response entirely on his
own. He has gotten everything he has wanted from Day 1, yet we still have
significant community spread. We have tried lockdowns, but it seems like the only
thing they accomplished was to wipe out Main Street small businesses and
eliminate thousands of jobs. 
 
“If the governor has evidence the last lockdown actually worked - not just
correlation or speculation, but hard evidence, he should be transparent and show
us. Because for many Minnesotans, it simply looks as though virus faded during
the warm summer months and came back when it got cold again -- just as
everyone predicted. We should have been prepared for this, and another round of
lockdowns won’t change that.
 
“Minnesotans can’t afford another round of closures; they’re barely making it as it
is. Since April I’ve asked the Governor to take a more balanced approach and to
flatten the curve on the economic crisis at the same time he is managing the
spread of Covid-19. If the governor insists on traveling down this path, then he
must immediately show us a plan of how he is going to protect families,
businesses and jobs. What does the end look like? How do we measure success in
defeating Covid-19? The governor owes Minnesotans at least that much.
 
According to reports, Gov. Walz tonight will announce new restrictions, to last for four
weeks, that includes the following:
 
 Gyms closed
 Bars and Restaurants, bowling alleys, movie theaters will only be open for takeout
 Indoor youth sports will be “paused” 
 
Outdoor sports, retail stores, salons, dental offices, and other health-care related
businesses will not be affected by the new restrictions