Iowa News:
Governor Reynolds released a new proclamation this afternoon regarding the Public Health Emergency. Statewide, beginning May 8, she is allowing the reopening of dentists’ offices, with new rules. Also, campgrounds, drive-in movie theaters, tanning facilities, and med spas – all with new health rules.
Meanwhile, in the 22 counties that have additional restrictions due to higher COVID-19 cases, exercise centers may one customer at a time – only by appointment. Malls may be open at 50% capacity, with no common areas open.
Read the full declaration here.
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The Iowa Department of Public Health announced 12 more deaths due to COVID-19 today. There are 293 more positives. That brings the death toll in Iowa to 219 deaths and 10,404 positive cases. Results from four Test Iowa sites and a few strike team locations are not included in the numbers – results may take days, the Test Iowa tests perhaps longer than a week.
IDPH reported 414 Iowans hospitalized with the virus. There are 151 patients in ICU and 103 on ventilators.
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The Tyson Plant in Waterloo plans to reopen operations tomorrow. The facility shut down on April 22 after an outbreak that ended up with 444 workers diagnosed with COVID-19. Local health care facilities were overwhelmed by the outbreak, taxing staff, and pushing the community. Dr. Sharon Duclos, the Chief Medical Officer at People’s Community Health Clinic has gone viral due to her impassioned speech at an April 24 press conference as the outbreak began – that’s the video below. She also appeared this morning on the Today Show, speaking about being incredibly concerned and nervous as Tyson reopens tomorrow.
Editors note about this video: What Dr. Duclos shares here is why physical distancing, wearing masks, and staying home as much as possible, are all absolute musts. The hospital systems in Central Iowa haven’t been overwhelmed yet because people have been doing a pretty good job at all of these. Please, listen to her, hear the pain that can be created if we let down our guard. Especially because cases in Polk County continue to rise. -KG
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Governor Reynolds will not hold a press conference today. Instead, she is traveling to Washington, DC to meet with President Trump and the Coronavirus Task Force. There will be other governors there as well. Reynolds will resume press conferences later in the week. She is taking a private plane to DC because she is flying out and back today; it is being paid for by her campaign funds.
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Pottawattamie County is reporting outbreaks at all seven food processing plants in the region. Not every location has hit the 10% worker threshold to publically report numbers and mass testing facilities. The county health department is working with employers for testing.
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The State of Iowa has joined 10 other Midwestern states to ask the U.S. Justice Department to look into possible price gouging in the beef industry. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller signed on with other AGs to ask for an investigation as beef prices have spiked, although cattle producers are being paid less. Miller noted that four companies control 80% of beef production in the U.S.
Local News:
Iowa Testing Strike Teams will be in Dallas County later this week to test nursing home workers. IDPH made the move after outbreaks at long-term care facilities in the county. The tests on Friday and Saturday with LTC workers will be by appointment only. Both will be in Adel in the parking lot of the ISU Extension Office.
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Due to the doors being closed, Prairie Meadows has had to put spending and donations on hold. The Casino and Hotel, which has been shut since March 16, does not know when it will be able to open again. So, regular donations and any sponsorships are postponed until further notice.
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Communities in Greater Des Moines are coming together to host the DSM Day of Thanks today. DSM Day of Thanks is a day-long, community-wide celebration of frontline workers. Community members are encouraged to express their thanks to healthcare and other essential workers. Find ways to say “Thank you” here.
Sports News:
While motorsports are allowed to happen in Iowa, Knoxville Raceway has decided it doesn’t want to hold their weekly championship series without fans. The track has pushed the May 16 and 23 races to September. However, the June World of Outlaws event will happen with or without fans. The track promises that as soon as the state allows fans, they will be back in action.
Good News:
New murals are being created to show appreciation for medical workers at two of Des Moines’ biggest hospitals. Hy-Vee hired chalk artist Kathleen Roling to draw one mural outside of MercyOne Des Moines today, and Iowa Methodist tomorrow.
