Iowa News:
The latest 24-hour totals for COVID-19 in Iowa as of 10 a.m. on 8/1/20 from the Iowa Department of Public Health: There are 463 new positive cases and 7 more deaths due to the virus. That brings statewide totals to 44,937 positives and 872 deaths. Currently, 242 Iowans are hospitalized, 77 are in ICU, and 35 of those are on ventilators.
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If you are headed to Lake Red Rock this weekend, there are a couple of beaches you should avoid, due to high e-coli levels. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is encouraging Iowans to skip swimming at the North Overlook and Whitebreast beaches because of “elevated bacteria levels.”
Local News:
Des Moines Public Schools is considering starting school later. They are now looking at moving to post-Labor Day for classes to begin. Additionally, they have petitioned the state to be able to start classes exclusively online. Des Moines is in Polk County which has the highest rate of COVID-19 infection in the state. Governor Reynolds is insisting that schools meet in person, and has set a high infection rate of 15% of a county’s population being infected, before she would find online-only teaching. That number is much higher than CDC recommendations, and many high-density cities, such as New York where the infection rate to move schools online is only 3%.
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The Iowa State Fair will be hosting a “Taste of the Fair” event this weekend. Twenty food vendors will line-up along the Midway. Admission and parking are free. Food will be regular fair prices.
Stands are spread out with no immediate seating for people to congregate, masks will be worn by all fair employees and volunteers – and are highly encouraged for attendees. They will be watching crowd size, to be sure there is enough room for social distancing. All the details, including park and gate information, are available here.
Taste of the Fair, Weekend 2
Saturday, August 1 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday, August 2 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sports News:
The Iowa High School Athletic Association has put out COVID-19 guidelines for Fall Sports. They include recommendations, rules, and requirements for Football, Golf, and Cross-Country.
Good News:
The non-profit Friendship Center is giving away nearly 400 backpacks tomorrow for their “Back-2-School Giveaway.” On Saturday, August 1st, families can go to the Friendship Center, 1526 MLK Parkway, to receive a free backpack filled with school supplies – including 5 face masks. The child must be present to receive a backpack.
Free laundry services begin at 3 p.m., the other offerings – free dental check-ups provided by Dimples Dentistry, free haircuts, and free meals will begin at 5 p.m.
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The Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market will have a “Drive-Through Bite-Size Market” starting Saturday, August 8. It will take place each Saturday from 8 – 11 a.m. at the Iowa State Capitol complex through Oct. 31. Customers can pre-order produce, meat, eggs, cheese, artisan food items, baked goods, and flowers/plants through the Drive-Through Online Marketplace in advance and can pick up specific purchased items at The Bite-Size Drive-Through Market the following Saturday.
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Blank Park Zoo announced today a new festival coming to the Zoo, August 17-21. “The Zoo Ribbon Festival” will bring fun, socially distanced activities to the Zoo. Participate in a ‘rhino-chip’ throwing contest, a watermelon-eating event, try out your best gibbon-call, enter your masterpiece in an art and photography competition, and have fun making a cake for an ugly cake decorating contest. It’s the destination’s homage to the state fair.
The Direct Your Dollar competition will decide which animal will hold the honorary title. Blank Park Zoo’s longtime mayor, ‘Deuce’ the lion is running for re-election. Funds received will support the work of the nonprofit Blank Park Zoo. Details will soon be released at www.blankparkzoo.com.
