The World Needs These Minnesota Companies To Fight Coronavirus

TWIN CITIES, MN — In his State of the State address Sunday evening, Gov. Tim Walz gave a shout out to the Minnesota companies that have become extremely important globally as all nations response to the new coronavirus crisis.

"Minnesotans won’t just prepare for COVID-19—we will lead," Walz said. "The brilliant minds and hard work of Minnesotans will help lead the world’s response to this crisis."

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The governor highlighted the following companies:

Maplewood-based 3M is manufacturing millions of N95 face masks a month. The masks are a vital piece of personal protective equipment — PPE — that helps keep medical professionals and others from being infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Minnetonka-based Medtronic has release the designs of its ventilators to the public so that more companies can make them. Ventilators have proven to save the lives of patients battling COVID-19.

The Mayo Clinic is conducting a national trial to use blood from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 as a way to treat other patients who have the disease.

Smaller Minnesota companies are halting their normal work in order to make masks and hand sanitizers.

Walz also said that hospitals across Minnesota are preparing in innovative ways for the surge in patients.

In addition to the companies Walz mentioned Sunday night, Minneapolis-based Target has also become critically important as millions of consumers across the United States head to stores to stock up essential items such as food, medicine, soaps and hand sanitizers.

St. Paul-based Ecolab produces a wide range of disinfectants that can be used against COVID-19.

Also read: Minnesota Care Facilities With Coronavirus Outbreaks: List