The Linn County Board of Supervisors will hold a joint meeting with the county’s Board of Health on Wednesday to discuss a proclamation calling on Gov. Kim Reynolds to allow local officials to mandate face masks. County mayors have been asked to sign onto the proclamation, and most mayors are supportive of it, Supervisor Ben […]
COVID-19
Posted inCommunity/News
UI says it won’t test students moving into residence halls for COVID-19, announces five more cases in Athletics Department
The University of Iowa announced on Monday it will not test students for COVID-19 before they move into residence halls. “Poorly administered mass testing can result in damaged or inconclusive results and excessive false negative,” the university said. In a statement posted on its COVID-19 information page, UI said that although such testing “may provide […]
Posted inCommunity/News
COVID-19: Doctors rally to ask Gov. Reynolds for a mask mandate; experts warn about school reopenings
Doctors from across the state gathered on the steps of Iowa State Capitol on Saturday to call on Gov. Kim Reynolds to issue a statewide face covering mandate or allow local governments to issue mandates in their communities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Our message is clear,” Dr. Brian Privett, an ophthalmologist in […]
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COVID-19: Another 463 Iowans test positive; Minnesota school districts will be able to choose how to reopen
On Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the standards that will determine whether schools must have all in-person instruction, can use a hybrid model incorporating both in-person and online instruction, or move all classes online. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former school teacher, announced his state’s school reopening plan that same day. The two states are […]
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Cedar Rapids law firm offers to prepare living wills and other health care documents for teachers for free
A Cedar Rapids law firm has announced it will help teachers prepare living wills and other legal health care documents for free during a pop-up event in Bever Park on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Teachers are invited to come to this outdoor, socially distanced event where they will receive attorney […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Linn County supervisors to ask Gov. Kim Reynolds for local control over mandating face masks
During both their meetings this week, the Linn County Board of Supervisors discussed a face covering resolution, but have not taken action yet. The issue is anticipated to be taken up again next week, possibly at the board’s Monday meeting. Supervisor Ben Rogers said he put the issue on the board’s agenda this week after […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Letter to the editor: Iowans are dying. We need real leadership on COVID-19.
By Sue Ballantyne, Solon To date, almost 900 Iowans have died from COVID-19. My mother was one of them. Delayed responses, mixed messages and inaction from Trump, Reynolds and the Republican Legislature have resulted in misinformation and confusion about the seriousness of this horrible disease and what we all need to do to contain the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds sharply limits ability of schools to respond to COVID-19
During a press conference on Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds unveiled the standards her administration is imposing on school districts as those districts begin a new school year during the COVID-19 pandemic. School districts are expected to hold on-site classes until their county sees a 14-day rolling average positivity rate of 15 percent, and there is […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa to strengthen enforcement of social distancing at bars and restaurants, as 582 more Iowans test positive for COVID-19
Social distancing and other mitigation measures at Iowa bars, restaurants and other food establishments will have stronger enforcement from the state starting this week. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA), along with the Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD), will issue infractions for businesses not complying, according to a news release. Iowa businesses — including […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids schools will send the district’s Return to Learn plan to families on Friday
An updated version of the Cedar Rapids Community School District’s (CRCSD) Return to Learn plan was shared during the Board of Education’s special meeting on Tuesday. The final version of the plan will be made public on Friday. The updated draft and additional details come after the district received feedback from staff and families through […]
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UI Athletics suspends men’s basketball workouts after two players test positive for COVID-19
The University of Iowa Athletics Department announced on Tuesday it is suspending workouts for its men’s basketball team after two players tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. This is the first time the department has suspended activities in one of its programs because players have tested positive for the virus. UI Athletics began recalling athletes […]
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White House task force leader warns Iowa needs to do more to mitigate the spread of COVID-19
During White House Coronavirus Task Force conference call with governors on Tuesday, Dr. Deborah Birx singled out a group of states seeing increases in COVID-19 cases and test positivity rates, and advised their governors to take new mitigation steps, including mandating face coverings and closing bars. Iowa was one of those states. The 13 “yellow […]
