Almost the only new information presented at Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Thursday afternoon press conference on COVID-19 was the number of infected people in the state. “So, through this afternoon, we have 44 cases positive,” the governor said, almost halfway through the half-hourlong press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston.
COVID-19
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Housebound and looking for something to do? Local events are happening online
From Netflix Party to online streaming concerts, Americans have joined the rest of the world in recent days figuring out ways to connect and engage — from a distance. The eastern Iowa community has been making some of these same moves, too. On St. Patrick’s Day, over 400 people at any one time were glued […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City eliminates bus fares for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency
Iowa City Transit will be waiving bus fares for the duration of COVID-19 emergency, the agency announced in a written statement on Thursday. ICT is also asking riders to enter and exit the buses by the rear door, in order to help facilitate social distancing.
Posted inDear Kiki
Dear Kiki: Is it irresponsible to date around during a pandemic?
Questions about love and sex in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area can be submitted to dearkiki@littlevillagemag.com, or anonymously using this form. Questions may be edited for clarity and length, and may appear either in print or online. Dear Kiki, My partner and I have recently opened up our marriage and TBH I’ve been super excited […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Art in the time of COVID-19: Elizabeth Moen
When Iowa City’s Elizabeth Moen dove into songwriting, it was head-first and no looking back. In the less than five years Moen’s been writing and recording, she’s released three albums, and has one in the wings. Her self-titled debut prompted our reviewer Kent Williams to write, “This is a remarkable first album, that seems to have come — as the best things sometimes do — out of nowhere.”
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City declares state of civil emergency, IDPH announces nine more Iowans test positive for COVID-19
On Wednesday, Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague signed a proclamation declaring “a civil emergency exists within the City of Iowa City due to the dangers presented by COVID-19 and its confirmed community spread.”
Posted inCommunity/News, COVID-19
Iowa DOT temporarily waives need to renew drivers licenses and vehicle registration
The Iowa Department of Transportation announced it is temporarily waiving the need to renew drivers licenses and vehicle registration, after Gov. Kim Reynolds declared a “State of Public Health Disaster Emergency” on Tuesday. Drivers with a license that expired on Jan. 17 or later do not have to renew their licenses at this time. Similarly, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
UI will remain closed through the end of the semester and is canceling spring commencement
The University of Iowa will remain closed through the rest of spring semester, according to a statement published on Wednesday. UI will offer online instruction for the rest of the semester, but “will close its market places and most of its residence halls and on-campus housing starting Thursday, March 19.”
Posted inCommunity/News
‘It’ll be fine’: When COVID-19 meets Midwest resoluteness
Coronavirus officially arrived in Iowa in mid-March, and within a week of this news breaking, everyone I know tried to fend it off with a healthy dose of Midwest heartiness. “It’s like the flu. It’ll be fine,” I’ve heard coworkers, fellow yoga class attendees and friends say, despite heavily reported statistics to the contrary. (The […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Pandemic Playlist: Mission Creek Festival artists to stream, support
Even though Mission Creek Festival has been canceled, you can still enjoy the fantastic local and regional musicians who were slated to perform — and they could definitely use the love! You can listen to them at the Bandcamp links provided (we’ve suggested great jumping-off points into their respective ouvres), and you may purchase their […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: We’re all responsible for making sure the arts survive this pandemic
By Rachel Korach Howell, Iowa City In a plagued world, everyone suffers. Some more than others, of course. Outside of the direct impact of illness, the economy will be hit hard. And then there’s the rest of us. We will lose touch with each other. First, the schools: Online courses mean less discussion, less engagement, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Owners of Eco Lips and Cedar Ridge Winery make hand sanitizer to give away for free during coronavirus crisis
Hand sanitizer is in high demand, with stores in Iowa and across the country experiencing shortages as people stock up to protect themselves from COVID-19. Seeing the community need for the product, business owner Steve Shriver and Dr. Ryan Sundermann decided to pair up with Jeff Quint, owner of Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery to make more.
