At Issue: Aug. 8 — U of M requiring masks; why $250 million for frontline workers isn’t enough

Vaccine mandates and new masking requirements are becoming more commonplace as cases of the COVID-19 delta variant continue to grow. The University of Minnesota and University of St. Thomas are among higher education institutes putting new measures in place.

Meanwhile, Gov. Tim Walz used his time at Farmfest to encourage people in Greater Minnesota — where vaccination rates have been lower than the metro area — to get their shots.

Former Senior Advisor on the White House Covid-Response Team, Andy Slavitt, joins Tom for a one-on-one interview about vaccine hesitancy and so-called Covid long-hauler, like Slavitt’s son.

Our political analysts explain why they think $250 million isn’t enough to help with frontline worker pay — and what people should expect from Rep. John Thompson (DFL-St. Paul).