Gov Reynold’s March 17 declaration of a public health disaster, and its regulations, were set to expire Tuesday, March 31, at 11:59. Tuesday afternoon Reynolds extended it for another week, through April 6 at 11:59. She made no mention of it during her 2:30 pm press conference. She briefly updated the number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases and said an Iowan…
Read MoreCategory: COVID-19
COVID-19, a marathon, not a sprint
Gov Kim Reynolds’ rhetoric about the COVID-19 pandemic has changed in the two weeks since she declared a public health disaster in Iowa. At her daily press conference Monday she characterized the pandemic as “a marathon, not a sprint” in answering a question about how many peaks we can expect. “Today starts the fourth week since coronavirus was first confirmed…
Read MoreDon’t think COVID-19 isn’t here
Although Greene County hasn’t been on the list of counties in which residents have tested positive for COVID-19, residents shouldn’t assume the virus isn’t here. At Gov Reynolds’ daily press conference Sunday (March 29), Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) deputy director Sarah Reisetter said the virus is everywhere. Reisetter was answering a question about the map IDPH updates showing…
Read MoreCOVID-19 numbers growing, still no Greene County cases
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 64 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 298 positive cases (a previously identified positive case in Black Hawk County is not from Iowa) as of March 27 at 6 pm. There have been a total of 4,375 negative tests to date, which includes testing…
Read MoreCOVID Friday – Education, courts included in daily press conference
There is no indication of when schools might reopen in Iowa. Ann Lebo, director of the Iowa Department of Education, made brief comments at Gov Kim Reynolds’ daily COVID-19 press conference Friday. Lebo reported a continuous learning task force came together Wednesday to discuss pathways for providing Iowa schools with immediate, scalable options for online and distance learning during this…
Read MoreReynolds closes more retail business, extends disaster declaration two weeks
Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds on Thursday extended the public health disaster declaration through April 16 at 11:59 pm. Her original declaration on March 17 included a March 31 end date. Reynolds also expanded the public health emergency declaration to suspended all elective and non-essential medical and dental procedures, effective Friday, March 27, at 5 pm. The proclamation specifically names elective…
Read MoreDNR reminds hunters of online, mobile options to purchase licenses, tags
Protecting yourself during the COVID-19 national pandemic starts with following the guidance from our state and national health experts – maintain at least six feet between each other, wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds, cover your cough, stay home if you feel sick and avoid groups of 10 or more people. These are unprecedented times and personal health…
Read MoreFareway giving bonuses, additional PTO for ‘frontline’ employees
(Boone, IA) – Fareway Stores, Inc. today announced its Fareway Family Frontline Plan to provide cash bonuses and additional paid time-off for its hourly employees who have worked on the frontlines during these unprecedented, last several weeks.
Read MoreReynolds says stay the course, at least for now
Gov Kim Reynolds continues to encourage Iowans to wash their hands, avoid gathering in groups of more than 10, and stay home when they’re feeling ill. Doing that will work to avoid a “shelter in place” order in Iowa. At her daily press conference, Reynolds listed the metrics she is watching daily: the percentage of population 65 years and older;…
Read MoreFirst COVID-19 death in Iowa confirmed
The office of Gov Kim Reynolds reported early this evening, March 24, the first death in Iowa due to COVID-198. The individual was an older adult, 61-80 years of age, and a resident of Dubuque County. “Our hearts are heavy with the first loss of an Iowan to COVID-19. The thoughts and prayers of our state are with the family…
Read MoreIowa DPS encourages use of remote services
The following information was released Tuesday, March 24: DES MOINES, Iowa – While the Iowa Department of Public Safety remains fully operational by providing traffic enforcement, investigative assistance, and administrative support operations, we are also committed to doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. As a result, we are asking Iowans and fellow law enforcement agencies to consider…
Read MoreGrCo public health provides info on self-isolation, how to treat COVID-19 at home
The Greene County public health department shares important, easy to understand guidance on self-isolation provided Monday by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The IDPH recommends self-isolation for 14 days for anyone who has traveled outside Iowa in the last 14 days, and for persons who live with someone with symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for the illness. Read…
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