ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Senate encouraged Gov. Tim Walz to allow schools to reopen normally this fall. The vote, 37-30, largely followed party lines. Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, who was in the majority, said children do better in classrooms than online. Nelson expressed fear about irreparable damage to children who, she said, will never catch up. Several Democratic senators opposed the resolution, including Minority Leader Susan Kent, D-Woodbury. Kent noted that children are vulnerable to the coronavirus. She cited breaking news about the death of a 9-month-old child in Clay County. The Senate resolution is nonbinding on Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat. Walz closed schools in March because of the pandemic. Walz hasn’t decided yet whether to resume classroom instruction in the fall.
Earlier: Infant’s death linked to coronavirus
Nelson: Kids need classrooms
Kent: Kids vulnerable to COVID