At her press conference on Friday, Gov. Reynolds noted how quickly the COVID-19 emergency has evolved in Iowa. “It was 10 days ago that the first public health emergency declarations I signed went into effect,” she said. “We continue to monitor and evaluate the impact of the actions we’ve taken, as well as additional steps […]
COVID-19
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds is attempting to ban surgical abortions as ‘nonessential’ medical procedures during COVID-19 crisis
On Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an emergency proclamation that, among other things, banned all “nonessential or elective surgeries and procedures that utilize personal protective equipment” for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency in the state. On Friday, the governor’s spokesperson told Barbara Rodriguez of the Des Moines Register that ban includes surgical abortions. In […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘We have to do better’: Health officials warn Linn County hospitals could become overwhelmed if cases continue to increase rapidly
During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, health experts warned Linn County residents that if cases of COVID-19 continue to increase as rapidly as they have been, hospitals will become overwhelmed in the next two to three weeks. Linn County saw its first confirmed cases of the new coronavirus on Saturday, March 21. In less […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Watch: Johnson County Public Health disease control specialists explain how they investigate COVID-19 cases
Johnson County Public Health posted a video on its Facebook page on Friday morning, featuring two of its disease control specialists providing “a general overview” of how they “conduct disease investigation on COVID-19, as well as how and why our processes changed over the past few weeks.” The presence of COVID-19 in Iowa was first […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Art in the time of COVID-19: Brook Hoover
This series, Art in the time of COVID-19, highlights musicians and artists in eastern Iowa whose life and work have been upended by the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state. If you would like to recommend someone to be featured in this space, please reach out to Little Village. Brook Hoover, Guitarist Over […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds orders retail businesses closed, changes position on whether counties can order shelter-in-place
Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered the closure of more businesses on Thursday, as well as the cancellation of non-essential medical and dental procedures in Iowa. At her Thursday afternoon press conference on the state’s response to COVID-19, Reynolds also said she was pushing back by a week the date businesses closed by executive order can reopen. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Animal Center encourages donations to their pet food pantry
As the community copes with unemployment, social distancing and mixed messages from federal, state and local leaders, even those less at risk of contracting COVID-19 are seeing their worlds shift — from kids to pets. While some pets may be relishing the extra couch time with their housebound humans, a stretched budget can affect all members of the family.
Posted inCommunity/News
Mayor Bruce Teague will host ‘Community Connection,’ an online show about COVID-19 and Iowa City
The City of Iowa City is launching an online show about the local response to COVID-19. Community Connection will feature Mayor Bruce Teague talking to area officials and community leaders about the impact of the disease, and what is being done stop its spread and help people. Iowa City Community School District Superintendent Stephen Murley […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Volunteers have sewn nearly 2,000 cloth masks for Mercy Cedar Rapids
In an effort to conserve and extend the supply of masks and other personal protective equipment, hospitals in Iowa and around the country are asking for help from people who can sew — and sewists (or sewers, depending on which term you prefer) have stepped up to the challenge. Mercy Cedar Rapids, Mercy Iowa City […]
Posted inCommunity/News
COVID-19 causes unemployment to surge in Iowa
Almost 42,000 Iowans filed first-time claims for unemployment during the week starting March 15, Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) reported on Thursday. During the governor’s press conference last Friday, IWD Director Beth Townsend called the number of new unemployment filings her department was receiving “pretty staggering.” “Essentially, what we’re receiving on a daily basis is what […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Shelter-in-place? Gov. Reynolds opposes mandatory restrictions, and Johnson County health leaders worry about ‘panic’
At her Wednesday afternoon press conference, Gov. Kim Reynolds reiterated her belief that voluntary efforts by Iowans are the key to combating the spread of COVID-19 in the state. “Now is the critical time, when each of us can make a difference on the impact that COVID-19 will have in Iowa,” Reynolds said. “We all […]
Posted inCommunity/News
UnityPoint Health in Cedar Rapids opens respiratory illness clinic
UnityPoint Health in Cedar Rapids has opened a clinic dedicated to assisting patients with respiratory illness, including COVID-19. Starting Wednesday, UnityPoint Westside Urgent Care, 2375 Edgewood Rd SW, will only see patients with respiratory symptoms, including fever, cough and difficulty breathing. The urgent care clinic in Hiawatha is also closed because staff will be working […]
