Linn County saw its first confirmed cases of COVID-19 on March 21, about two weeks after the first cases were confirmed in Iowa on March 8. Close to a month after the county’s first confirmed cases, Linn County has become a hotspot in Iowa and has more confirmed cases than any other county in the […]
COVID-19
Posted inCommunity/News
As the district containing Linn County hits 10 points, Reynolds orders new restrictions but not the shelter-in-place promised
When Gov. Reynolds revealed the assessment system the Iowa Department Public Health was using to determine the severity of COVID-19 in the state, it was explained that if any of the six regions they’d created was rated a 10 or higher, the governor would issue a shelter-in-place order for that region. On Thursday, IDPH rated […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Sheltering at their parents’ house in Iowa City, the Bassuk sisters are expanding their eclectic jewelry brand — and giving back
From paprika and dog treats to glitter and obscenities, there is almost no limit to what Leela and Maya Bassuk will put into resin. Over Winter Break, the two sisters — both Iowa City West High grads — bought some epoxy resin and started playing around with it, inspired by artsy resin videos on Instagram. […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Another 46,000 unemployment claims filed in Iowa, as a new report estimates COVID-19 will cost state’s ag economy $6.3 billion
More than 46,000 first-time unemployment claims were filed in Iowa during the week ending April 11, Iowa Workforce Development reported on Thursday. The new claims were less than those reported during the previous two weeks but higher than the 41,890 first-time claims filed during the week ending March 21, the first period that reflected the impact of COVID-19 in the state.
Posted inCOVID-19
Linn County Public Health will hold a virtual town hall on staying mentally healthy during the pandemic
Linn County Public Health is hosting a virtual town hall on Friday about what people can do to improve their mental health during the pandemic and the resources available in the community. This is the second town hall in a series LCPH plans to hold every Friday Four speakers will be available to answer questions […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Reynolds addresses racial discrepancies in COVID-19 cases, plans to increase testing
New information provided on the state’s revamped COVID-19 website, launched on Tuesday, revealed that black and Latino Iowans are testing positive for the virus at disproportionate rates. At her press conference on Wednesday, Gov. Reynolds was asked, “What are you doing to address that?” “We’re still looking at the trends,” Reynolds replied. She added, “I […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: What I think about the coronavirus
By Claire Anderson, 10 years old, student at Lemme Elementary School I think the virus is something that people need to be very cautious of because it spreads so quickly. I think that the coronavirus is a really bad virus. The coronavirus makes me feel really nervous because my grandparents are older and if they […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘Home is not a safe place for all Iowans’: COVID-19 and social distancing create challenges for agencies that help abuse victims
Since community spread of COVID-19 was confirmed in Iowa on March 14, Gov. Reynolds has been encouraging people to stay at home to help keep themselves and others safe from the virus. But at her press conference on Wednesday, the governor said, “we must also recognize that home is not a safe place for all […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Iowa Secretary of State, Linn County officials encourage voting from home ahead of June primary
Linn County is preparing for the June 2 primary — which is still scheduled to happen, but with various changes due to COVID-19. Linn County Auditor Joel Miller said that his office sent out absentee ballot request forms to every household in the county. During a Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, Miller said 1,500 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
UIHC begins clinical trial of plasma transfusions to treat COVID-19
University of Iowa Health Care announced on Wednesday that a team of researchers has “started a new clinical trial to determine if plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can help treat patients currently hospitalized with the disease.” “Convalescent plasma has previously been used to mitigate or prevent infection in other viral diseases,” Dr. Brooks Jackson, University […]
Posted inCommunity/News
After suspending its programs because of COVID-19, Iowa Writers’ House is making a major change
The Iowa Writers’ House is leaving its house as part of some major changes the nonprofit is making because of COVID-19. “After five wonderful years at our historic house on Davenport Street, the organization will be leaving the space and taking a break to assess our mission and consider our best options for the future,” […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Outbreak at meat processing plant drives biggest one-day increase in COVID-19 cases; Reynolds says there’s no need for new regulations on plant safety
An outbreak of COVID-19 at the Tyson pork processing plant in Columbus Junction pushed the number of new confirmed cases of the virus to 189 on Tuesday, a new one-day record. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, a total of 1,899 Iowans have tested positive for the virus since March 8. IDPH also […]
