Minnesota’s Physicians Stand Behind New Order to “Stay Home MN” to Slow Spread of Pandemic

March 25, 2020

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) and more than a dozen state-based medical specialty societies strongly support Gov. Tim Walz’s latest “Stay Home MN” Executive Order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota. The MMA and some other specialty societies had previously urged the governor to take this action.

“Minnesota physicians appreciate the significance and disruption that this decision means for the safety, security, and economic vitality of the state,” says MMA President Keith Stelter, MD. “This order gives Minnesota’s health care system the strongest possible chance to adequately prepare for the predicted impact of this virus. The MMA and Minnesota’s specialty societies are working in support of and to partner with the governor on this and other needs related to the state’s COVID-19 response.”

Health care services remain an essential service. Physicians urge all Minnesotans to pay attention to all aspects of their health during this pandemic. “Do not ignore any other health conditions or concerns and don’t abandon healthy behaviors like exercise. Continue with or develop stress reduction strategies,” Stelter says. “If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, or other acute or chronic conditions, don’t ignore them. Continue to take your medications and continue contact with your physicians by phone or telehealth options. They will contact you if a face-to-face visit is necessary.  Stay active; eat well; and, stay in contact, from a distance, with friends, family, and neighbors. Contact your physician with questions or concerns and seek care if your conditions worsen. But most importantly, stay home unless absolutely necessary to leave.”

Participating specialty societies and their leaders include:

Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians
Renee Crichlow, MD, FAAFP, President     

Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology
Mary G. Lawrence, MD, MPH, President

Minnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
James Kuderer, DO, President    

Minnesota Association of African American Physicians
Dionne Hart, MD, President

Minnesota Association of Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians
Emily Downing, MD, President

Minnesota Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Lori DeFrance, MD, FAAP, President

Minnesota Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians
Timothy Johnson, MD, FACEP, President

Minnesota Chapter, American College of Physicians
David R Hilden, MD, MPH, FACP, Governor

Minnesota Orthopaedic Society
Gudrun Mirick Mueller, MD, President

Minnesota Osteopathic Medical Society
Jennifer Kendall, DO, President

Minnesota Psychiatric Society
Sheila Specker, MD, FAPA, President

Minnesota Radiological Society
Ronnell Hansen, MD, President

Minnesota Section, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Beth Elfstrand, MD, Chair

Minnesota Society of Anesthesiologists
Robert J. Friedhoff, MD, President

Minnesota Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
Andrew J. Will, MD, President

Minnesota Society of Neurological Sciences
Michael Rosenbloom, MD, President

Minnesota Urological Society
Mark Fallen, MD, President

Twin Cities Medical Society
Ryan Greiner, MD

Zumbro Valley Medical Society
Dionne Hart, MD, Co-President