5 things to know today: Skipped doses, Ending restrictions, Businesses react, Mosquito spraying, HERO celebration

Laurie Wang, a nurse with the Dickey County Health District, speaks on the phone with a local man who says he isn't coming in for a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Ellendale, N.D. Jeremy Turley / Forum News Service

By InForum and Eric Bolin

May 07, 2021 at 6:00 AM

1. Over 9K North Dakotans have skipped their 2nd doses of the COVID-19 vaccine

About 9,300 North Dakotans, or 3.9% of those who got a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, did not return within six weeks for the recommended second shot. But the growing appointment-skipping trend that worries public health experts certainly isn't confined to the Peace Garden State.

2. Most of Minnesota's COVID-19 restrictions will end May 28; mask mandate will end in July

050721.N.FNS.DIALBACK — Gov. Tim Walz speaks in Duluth, Minn. last fall in this file photo. (Tyler Schank / Forum News Service)

Nearly every measure in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota will expire Friday, May 28, Gov. Tim Walz has announced, and Minnesotans won't be required to wear face masks in public beginning in July.

The governor on Thursday, May 6, heralded an end to pandemic restrictions that began more than a year ago. As more and more residents are vaccinated and case rates decline, he said, "we can now confidently and safely set out our path back to normal."

3. Moorhead businesses happy with easing of COVID-19 restrictions

050621.N.FF.WALZREACTION.02.jpg — Sonya Donahue, general manager of the Speak Easy Restaurant in Moorhead, said she is looking forward to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions for Minnesota businesses. David Samson / The Forum

When Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday, May 6, outlined a timeline for easing nearly all COVID-19 restrictions by May 28 , the announcement got a happy thumbs up from several restaurants in Moorhead.

Walz's announcement Thursday noted that starting Friday, May 7, many outdoor restrictions would be lifted across the state, and beginning May 28, remaining capacity and distancing limits will come to an end.

4. Fargo signs mosquito control contract, seeks more input on spraying

Dead Monarch Butterflies — Dead monarch butterflies were found across the Fargo area after aerial spraying in August 2020 to control mosquitoes. WDAY photo

Fargo City Commissioners have signed the city's annual mosquito control contract but are seeking more input before making final decisions on aerial and ground-based spraying this year.

Aerial spraying became a controversial topic in the Fargo-Moorhead area last August when a large number of migrating monarch butterflies died after a night of aerial spraying in what came to be known locally as the "Monarch Massacre."

5. Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization celebrates 25 years in business

Officials with the Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization, or HERO, cut a ribbon provided by the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce as part of a 25th anniversary celebration Thursday, May 6. Tanner Robinson / WDAY

A nonprofit that recycles old healthcare materials has now been around for a quarter-century.

The Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization — or HERO — cut a ribbon provided by the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the milestone Thursday, May 6.

Watch the story from WDAY's Tanner Robinson