Lowertown Community Response

COVID-19 News & Information

Lowertown COVID-19 Home Outbreak Liveblog

Please submit any new reports to Lowertown.info via the contact page or email at info@lowertown.info. Follow @lowertowninfo on Twitter for regular updates about new additions to this timeline.

Nigel Parry/Lowertown.info—Week 3: March 20th-26th, 2020: Tracking the local impact of the COVID-19 virus in Lowertown, Saint Paul, MN. Currently playing catch-up after a necessary 2-day break.

Friday March 20th, 2020

Most of the restaurants in Lowertown have closed their doors, with only four continuing to offer takeaway, curbside pickup, and delivery—The Black Dog, Dark Horse, Saint Dinette, and Urban Wok, as well as Lowertown Wine & Spirits. All are utilizing locals to deliver food with the exception of Urban Wok, which is relying on cross-city solutions like Door Dash.
The others have been spending their time figuring out how to wind down food stocks. Yesterday, Lowertown’s “Top Chef” winner Justin Sutherland saw a lot of local media coverage after electing to give away food to all who needed it, outside Public Kitchen. Local photographer Tom Dunn went on a walkabout to capture the scene.

Alecia Hinze, owner of the Buttered Tin, elected to gift staff with meals and also support a local women’s shelter. In a 9am post on Twitter, the Tin wrote:

“How do you share a meal when it’s not safe to gather? TBT is giving carefully prepped meals to our recently laid-off staff plus Women’s Advocates and Guild Inc. in St. Paul. Stay safe (but away from) everyone.”

How do you share a meal when it’s not safe to gather? TBT is giving carefully prepped meals to our recently laid-off staff plus Women’s Advocates and Guild Inc. in St. Paul. Stay safe (but away from) everyone. ❤️#community #socialdistancing #covid19 @Guild_Inc @womensadvocates pic.twitter.com/sPRblVn5un

— The Buttered Tin (@TheButteredTin) March 20, 2020

Thank you Katie and Anthony for (very carefully) preparing tuna sandwiches, loaded hashbrowns and treats for TBT's furloughed staff.#foodislove #community #bestemployees #socialdistancing #covid19 #thebutteredtin #safetyfirst #spreadlovenotvisruses #lowertownmn #mysaintpaul pic.twitter.com/lq4Wyy4nPK

— The Buttered Tin (@TheButteredTin) March 20, 2020
In a sign of the times, Union Depot posted at 4:15pm that, “Our free weekly yoga classes are going digital!”:

Our free weekly yoga classes are going digital! Roll out your mat at home and follow along during our virtual yoga class with @studio925yoga ?‍♀️Every Saturday at 9 AM over the next few weeks we will live stream your favorite class so you don’t miss a beat! https://t.co/ZMP0PNqXgq pic.twitter.com/89F6UgX4MF

— Union Depot (@UnionDepot) March 20, 2020

Saturday March 21st-Tuesday March 24th, 2020

During this period, Lowertown.info took a break from this liveblog to work on articles and other site projects. Since the big news that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was ordering the temporary closure of bars, restaurants, theaters, museums, and more on March 16th, the week since has not seen much other activity to report, beyond scattered announcements that some local hospitality industry establishments are trying to make a transition to takeaway, curbside pickup, and delivery.

Wednesday March 25th, 2020

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, as of today after approximately 11,475 patients tested, there have been 287 positive cases. For the first time, the DoH published the number of tests from private laboratories. Approximate number of completed tests from the MDH Public Health Lab: 6,365. Approximate number of completed tests from external laboratories: 5,110. Deaths: 1. Total cases requiring hospitalization: 35. Hospitalized as of today: 26. Patients who no longer need to be isolated: 122. As with every day, Lowertown.info updates its visualizations on the homepage of this COVID-19 special section, showing MN positive test results, and a second showing numbers of tests, number of positive results, and deaths.
The local restaurant, bar, and cafe business in Lowertown is fluid. Yesterday, at 10am, Alary’s Bar posted a reminder that it was still open for both curbside pickup and delivery:

10% off all curbside customer pick ups! pic.twitter.com/N3kBR3AzoQ

— Alary's Bar (@AlarysBar) March 24, 2020
Also yesterday, at 3:30pm, the Dark Horse Bar & Eatery posted on Twitter:

To our friends and neighbors, We’ve come to the difficult decision to temporarily close Dark Horse. Words cannot express how much your support has meant to us. When the dust settles, we will re-open, welcome you all back, and share a pint over quarantine stories.

To our friends and neighbors,

We’ve come to the difficult decision to temporarily close Dark Horse. Words cannot express how much your support has meant to us. When the dust settles, we will re-open, welcome you all back, and share a pint over quarantine stories.

— D A R K H O R S E (@darkhorsestpaul) March 24, 2020

That left only the Black Dog, Saint Dinette, Alary’s Bar, and Urban Wok still open for takeaway, curbside pickup, and delivery. Lowertown Wine & Spirits and Legacy Chocolates similarly remain open. However, at 3:30pm today, the Buttered Tin announced it would be open for takeout and delivery again, “starting Thursday Mar. 26! Hours 8am to 1pm.”

Damn good news! Our Damn Good Egg Sandwich and other TBT favorites will be available for takeout and delivery starting Thursday Mar. 26! Hours 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.#eatlocal #lowertownmn #saintpaul #supportlocal #downtownsaintpaul #mysaintpaul @visitsaintpaul @EaterTwinCities pic.twitter.com/lTZB9ER5xo

— The Buttered Tin (@TheButteredTin) March 25, 2020
Today, Lowertown.info published an interview with a healthcare worker and first publicly-reported Lowertown COVID-19 patient. In this interview “Susan” (name changed for privacy), talks about the symptoms and experience of the disease, the difficulty of quarantining family members living together, the wider Coronavirus crisis, and how you can support your local healthcare workers. Read more here.
The big news of the day, of course was Minnesota governor Tim Walz today signing “Executive Order 20-20 directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit movements outside of their home beyond essential needs. This order takes effect at 11:59pm on Friday, March 27 and ends at 5:00pm on Friday, April 10.” Among other activities listed, permitted reasons to live your home include for “health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies; outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing; necessary supplies and services, such as getting groceries, gasoline, or carry-out; and care of others, such as caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household.” More information about the Minnesota State’s response can be found at mn.gov/governor/covid-19.

These are trying times. But we are Minnesotans. We see challenges, and we tackle them. No matter how daunting the challenge; no matter how dark the times; Minnesota has always risen up—by coming together. If we unite as One Minnesota, we will save lives. #StayHomeMN pic.twitter.com/pAOStd1NG2

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) March 25, 2020

Thursday March 26, 2020

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, as of today after approximately 12,950 patients tested, there have been 346 positive cases of COVID-19. and 2 deaths. Approximate number of completed tests from the MDH Public Health Lab: 6,849. Yesterday, for the first time, the DoH published the number of tests from private laboratories with an approximate number of completed tests from external laboratories: 6,101. Total cases requiring hospitalization: 41. Hospitalized as of today: 31. Patients who no longer need to be isolated: 134. As with every day, Lowertown.info updates its visualizations on the homepage of this COVID-19 special section, showing MN positive test results, and a second showing numbers of tests, number of positive results, and deaths.
This morning MPR published a helpful guide to what you’re still allowed to do during Minnesota’s stay-at-home order.

Here's what you're still allowed to do during Minnesota's stay-at-home order:
? Get groceries, alcohol or takeout
? Get medical care
? Care for others
? Take a drive
?️ Go outside (don't forget to maintain 6 feet of distance)

More: https://t.co/vqMHxRFzcA

— MPR News (@MPRnews) March 26, 2020
At 6:30am, The Buttered Tin posted on social media to announce it was back in business, “We’re back! TBT is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily for take-out orders. Come and get it! Or don’t – we also deliver. Order online.”