In Minnesota – ‘Heroes’ Will Be Getting A Cut Of $500 Million

Where do I start on this one? How would you define what a "Hero" is?

We see the classic Hollywood movies where a person or persons comes in at the last second and saves someone's life. We recognize that as a "Hero". What is a true definition of a hero? The dictionary defines "hero" as "a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his or her brave deeds and noble qualities."

Heroes are celebrated with medals, and  awards for their actions

Thankfully most heroes are saluted and rewarded for their actions. When COVID-19 first came about, we all experienced unchartered waters so to speak. The silent heroes were many. The pandemic brought so many people out on the frontline exposing them to the dangers and definitely putting their families at risk as well. These people all around the world have deserved to be acknowledged. In Minnesota, they have stepped that up quite a bit. "hero pay" was invented and approved.

$500 million to be split equally - to how many people?

According to Kare11.com "Back in April, Governor Tim Walz signed the Frontline Worker Payments into law. The legislature agreed on $500 million to be split equally between people working in 15 specific job sectors during the first part of the pandemic, including other criteria" Can you imagine being one of the people responsible for determining who or who doesn't get any money? "It really does blow me away how many people were out there on the frontlines providing support, putting themselves and families at risk, increased risk, of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace in order to provide for other Minnesotans," said the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Deputy Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach Kare11.com added. The window to apply was 45 days long and closed on Friday. Just over 400,000 more people applied for the money than lawmakers first estimated.

When will people find out if they will receive anything?

Applicants will find out via email on Aug. 16 whether their application was approved and if it was denied. That's going to be a long wait.