It’s been almost a month since the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Iowa, and health experts are reminding individuals about the importance of focusing on mental health during the pandemic. School and business closures, working from home, disruption to a daily routine and staying inside are some of the things Iowans are having […]
COVID-19
Posted inCommunity/News
The Iowa Board of Medicine calls for Gov. Reynolds to issue a shelter-in-place order
The Iowa Board of Medicine voted on Friday to recommend that Gov. Kim Reynolds issue a statewide shelter-in-place order to limit the spread of COVID-19. The vote by the board, which issues licenses to physicians and regulates the practice of medicine in Iowa, was unanimous. “When you look at states that have implemented a shelter-in-place […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa Supreme Court extends order delaying the start of trials, Johnson County closes its courthouse to the public
On Thursday, the Iowa Supreme Court postponed almost all judicial proceedings in the state for at least two months. The court had previously ordered the delay of jury trials not yet underway on March 14, in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19, and this new order extends the delay and expands the scope […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Leaf collection begins on Monday in Cedar Rapids, but with a change due to COVID-19
Cedar Rapids residents planning to rake their yards this weekend in preparation for spring cleaning are in luck — leaf collection begins on Monday, April 6. Residents can expect to have the leaf vacuum trucks come by their homes on their regular garbage day, unless trucks are slowed down by weather or volume. If that’s […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The metrics guiding Gov. Reynolds’ COVID-19 decisions revealed — and met with criticism
On Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new public health emergency proclamation that extended the business closures and regulatory waivers in her previous proclamations through April 30. It also extends through the end of April a ban on “nonessential and elective” medical and dental procedures that use personal protective equipment. Reynolds, however, did not mention […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids police warn of COVID-19 scams, discuss closure enforcement; city closes more outdoor spots
The City of Cedar Rapids is closing additional outdoor facilities to limit the spread of COVID-19. Last week, the city announced playgrounds and outdoor exercise stations were temporarily closed. As of Thursday, Riverside Skate Park, basketball courts, tennis courts, sand volleyball and baseball fields are also closed. Signage has been posted at closed facilities, and […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: The crisis within the crisis
By Crissy Canganelli, executive director, Shelter House There is no one this pandemic does not touch. Whether we feel its physical, economic, social and emotional effects depends on who and where we are, how and whether we can work, what social supports we require, what resources we can access, just how healthy we were to […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Watch: Downtown Iowa City during a pandemic
Despite the beautiful spring weather, the streets of downtown Iowa City were almost deserted on the first day of April, as people stayed home and practiced social distancing. Little Village gives you a glimpse of how downtown looks during the COVID-19 emergency.
Posted inCommunity/News
New unemployment claims in Iowa break record set last week
Last week, Iowa reported a record number of first-time unemployment claims. Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend called the number “pretty staggering” even before the final total was known — there were 41,890 first-time claims for the week ending on March 21. The new number of first-time unemployment claims IWD reported on Thursday broke the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds dismisses estimate of 1,367 COVID-19 deaths in Iowa by August
The Iowa Department of Health reported on Wednesday that 52 more Iowans have tested positive for COVID-19, including three more in Johnson County and four more in Linn County. The new cases bring the state’s total of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 549. • Cerro Gordo County, 1 adult (18-40 years) • Clayton County, 1 elderly […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Planned Parenthood seeks injunction against Gov. Reynolds’ ban on surgical abortions (Updated)
Update: The Reynolds administration backed off its attempt ban all surgical abortions in Iowa under the governor’s emergency ordering prohibiting “nonessential or elective surgeries and procedures that utilize personal protective equipment,” before the starting of a Wednesday afternoon hearing on the Planned Parenthood of Heartland’s request for an emergency injunction. “Rita Bettis Austen, legal director […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Gov. Reynolds discloses number of ICU beds in Iowa as COVID-19 cases near 500
Another 19 Linn County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, the Iowa Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday. Linn now has 90 confirmed cases of the virus, the highest number for any county in Iowa. At her Tuesday afternoon press conference on the state’s response to COVID-19, Gov. Reynolds provided some information about Linn […]
