Easing up on COVID

THUMBS UP: Gov. Tim Walz announced Friday he is relaxing some restrictions on public gatherings. Starting Monday, churches will have no attendance limits, though social distancing will still be required. Bars and restaurants can be at 75% capacity, with a limit of 250 people, and bar seating for parties of four. Gyms and fitness centers can be at 50% capacity. You can go get a haircut with no concern. Social gatherings will go up to 50 people outside, and 15 indoors, with no household limits. The Twins will be able to welcome 10,000 fans to their home opener.

This is welcome, but we know there is still pressure to keep opening up until we’re back to normal. A group of business organizations are asking the governor to present a plan for reopening society, but such a plan could only be tentative. If the governor set up a timetable and then COVID started spiking, he’d have to backtrack and be accused of reneging.

Border situation

THUMBS DOWN: President Joe Biden’s revision of the U.S./Mexico border policy isn’t having the effect he hoped it would. Reports from the Asociated Press show on Thursday indicate that children trying to enter the country have been kept packed in large tents. The numbers are overwhelming the system.

Border security isn’t so easy after all, Mr. President. If you are going to let these people through to be processed in the U.S., you need to make sure they are treated humanely.