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 […]
COVID-19
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 […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Socially Distant Beer Festival will support laid off brewery staff in Iowa
The Iowa Brewers Guild is holding a virtual beer festival to support brewery staff who have been impacted by the shutdown of taprooms and brewpubs. J. Wilson, the guild’s minister of beer, is inviting beer lovers to virtually attend the Socially Distant Beer Festival from 2–6 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, by buying a ticket […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Another Linn County resident tests positive for COVID-19; Cedar Rapids closes its playgrounds
On Wednesday morning, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 21 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, including six in Johnson County and one in Linn County. The new cases bring the state’s total number of Iowans who have tested positive for the disease to 145. The new case in Linn County means […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Disorganized chaos
By Gwendolyn Sterling, Cedar Rapids Re: My last published letter. I pop in on Facebook every now and then and noticed the only initial Facebook comments on my letter were from self-proclaimed yoga/meditation practitioners. They read a piece that largely dealt with the coronavirus and our collective need to stay vigilant on all issues during […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The first Iowan dies from COVID-19; officials admit they don’t know how many ICU beds the state has
At the beginning of her Tuesday afternoon press conference on the state’s response to COVID-19, Gov. Kim Reynolds talked about what a good job her administration has done keeping her constituents up to date on the latest developments with the disease. “I made a commitment to do my part to keep Iowans informed,” she said […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Landlords should put the community first
By Trajan Wells, lifelong resident of Iowa City, student at University of Iowa To the response to an open letter for waiving rent, “Letter to the editor: Landlords can’t afford to waive rent,” where Mr. Harmon presents a case of his tenants destroying property with no accountability, I feel for your situation and urge you […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘This question is on everyone’s mind’: Linn County, Cedar Rapids officials weigh issuing a local shelter-in-place order
Gov. Kim Reynolds has repeatedly said the state is not ready to issue a shelter-in-place, even though the governors of neighboring states like Illinois and Wisconsin have issued such orders. “At this point we are not in a place where we would order a shelter-in-place or a stay-at-home,” Reynolds said during her Monday press conference […]
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Iowa Auditor Rob Sand launches effort to help restaurants hurt COVID-19 and workers who lost their jobs
Iowa Auditor Rob Sand launched an online effort to help both the state’s beleaguered restaurants and those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19. “Local restaurants need customers. Unemployed Iowans need support. You need the feeling of knowing you helped both with one gift,” is how Sand explained the Help Iowans initiative he launched […]
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Iowa City Council moves its meetings online in response to COVID-19
Because of the spread of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, the Iowa City Council is moving to online meetings, starting with its Tuesday, March 24, work session and formal session. The public will still be able to watch the council session in real-time and participate in the meetings. People can watch both council sessions on City Channel 4, the city’s YouTube page and the city’s Facebook page.
