Gov. Kim Reynolds wants people to stop asking questions about how she is making decisions while directing the state’s response to COVID-19, and just do what she says. Reynolds and Iowa Department of Public Health officials constantly refer to “the metrics” they use for decisions, while offering little information about those metrics. Four of the […]
COVID-19
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Linn County Public Health will hold a virtual town hall on COVID-19
Linn County Public Health is having a virtual town hall on Friday, April 10, that will focus on what people can do to reduce community spread of COVID-19. The virtual town hall, which begins at noon, will be held via GoToMeeting, a video conference software. LCPH Clinical Services Supervisor Heather Meador and Dr. Dustin Arnold […]
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Unemployment claims reach a new high in Iowa
For the third week in a row, the number for first-time unemployment claims reported by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) set a new record. For the week ending April 4, IWD received 67,334 first-claims, an increase of 8,881 from the 58,453 that were filed during the week ending March 28.
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Gov. Reynolds optimistic the curve is flattening, discusses small business relief, declares ‘Day of Prayer’
Another 97 Iowans have tested positive for COVID-19, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported on Wednesday. The new cases include 11 residents of Linn County and 13 residents of Johnson County. Ten of the new Johnson County cases were adults between the ages of 18 and 40. • Allamakee County, 1 adult (18-40 years), […]
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‘How do I manage my anxiety about this?’: Needed now more than ever, crisis and community orgs adapt to social distancing
While the immediate concern amid the COVID-19 pandemic is physical health, social distancing has wide-stretching impacts on mental health, employment and other resources. Due to social distancing guidelines, local service organizations have had to adjust the way they serve the community during the pandemic. CommUnity In the case of CommUnity Crisis Services, all volunteers are […]
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Mercy Cedar Rapids opens second respiratory clinic
Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids has opened a second clinic dedicated to caring for patients experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, the hospital announced on Monday. Mercy opened its first clinic in late March. Shortly after it was opened, the clinic moved in order to increase its patient capacity. It is currently located […]
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After the state’s biggest one-day increase in cases, Iowa’s COVID-19 team was questioned about race, their definition of ‘outbreak’
Iowa saw its biggest one-day increase in the number of reported new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, as the Iowa Department of Public Health reported 102 more people tested positive for the virus and the state’s total number of confirmed cases reached 1,048. The newly reported cases include 16 residents of Johnson County and 11 […]
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Dr. Anthony Fauci, Trump address Iowa’s lack of shelter-in-place
Speaking at President Trump’s press conference late Monday afternoon, Dr. Anthony Fauci mentioned Iowa, and a clip of his comments was quickly posted on Gov. Reynolds’ official Twitter account. Appreciate @POTUS for being a partner in our efforts to fight #COVID19. Very good conversation with Dr. Fauci today! @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/ibRIZccm6n — Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) […]
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Face-shield makers across the state are utilizing 3D printers, old classroom supplies
Don’t call it a comeback: The overhead projector — a post-chalkboard and pre-SMART Board classroom technology, and staple of “you know you’re old when …” articles — is relevant once again as Iowans craft creative solutions to hospitals’ supply needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. N95 masks, the most effective personal protective equipment (PPE) against the […]
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Gov. Reynolds says 10 percent of Iowa’s COVID-19 cases are related to nursing homes (Updated)
Update: Late Monday afternoon, the Press-Citizen reported that a resident of the Bickford Senior Living Center in Iowa City has tested positive for COVID-19. It’s the first publicly reported case of the virus in a Johnson County long-term-care facility. Gov. Kim Reynolds began her Monday press conference on the state’s response to COVID-19 by […]
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Cedar Rapids schools will provide voluntary learning opportunities for students during extended school closure
Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) will be offering voluntary continuous learning for its students during the extended school closure, Superintendent Noreen Bush announced on Monday. On April 2, Gov. Kim Reynolds extended school closures through April 30. Reynolds has not ordered schools to close for the remainder of the school year. School districts have […]
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Linn County officials, preparing for a ‘patient surge,’ urge residents to stay home, wear a cloth mask if out
At the start of Linn County Public Health’s Monday press conference, Supervisor Stacey Walker shared how the county’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 have changed in only a week’s time. “When I last spoke to you, just under a week ago, there were 71 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Linn County,” Walker said. “Now, we have […]
