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Tuesday AM Daily | November 17, 2020
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Reynolds shifts tone, requires masks indoors as hospitalizations skyrocket
By Linh Ta | Iowa Capital Dispatch During a prime-time address to Iowans, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday that she is increasing COVID-19 mitigation measures as Iowa hospitals endure a surge of
infected patients.
The new measures, which include indoor mask requirements, limits on social gatherings, and reductions in elective surgery, began today and end Dec. 10.
Reynolds said the new efforts are an attempt to help Iowa hospitals, where 1 in 4 inpatients have the virus.
COVID-19 infections have accelerated so quickly in Iowa that the daily rate of new hospitalizations, which was 100 patients in October, is now 200 patients.
For months, Reynolds resisted requiring masks, saying Iowans needed to practice personal responsibility.
But with Iowa hospitals setting new records for admissions, Reynolds handed down her strictest mask regulations yet on Monday night.
"This isn’t about mandates," Reynolds said. "This isn’t about government. There isn’t enough law enforcement in the country to make sure that every Iowan is wearing a mask when they should. … If Iowans don’t buy into this, we lose."
Highlights from Reynolds’ proclamation
Face masks are required for children and adults who are in an indoor space that’s accessible to the public, and social distancing is not possible, for longer than 15 minutes.
- Exceptions: The mask requirement does not apply to schools, according to the governor’s office. Also, exceptions are made for people with medical conditions that don’t allow them to wear a mask, people working alone or in a space where 6 feet or more of distance can be maintained, people sitting to eat or drink at a bar or restaurant, people who are exercising, and people attending religious gatherings.
Indoor gatherings of more than
15 people are prohibited. These include social, community, business or leisure events such as weddings, funeral receptions, festivals, conventions and fundraisers.
- Exceptions: Gatherings that occur due to the normal course of business, including office work, retail business and manufacturing work.
Outdoor gatherings of more than 30 people are prohibited, with rules similar to those for indoor gatherings.
- Exceptions: Certain high school, collegiate and professional sporting events. Religious gatherings are also not restricted. However, swim teams, gymnastics, group swimming lessons and organized basketball games are prohibited.
Restaurants and bars must stop dine-in service by 10 p.m.
- Exceptions: Takeout and carryout orders may continue after hours.
Beyond these new measures, the number of hospital inpatient beds used for non-elective surgeries must by reduced by 50% and gyms may not hold group fitness activities.
Iowa Democrats condemn Reynolds, say ‘too little, too late’
Iowa Democrats issued a statement following Reynolds’ press conference, saying her "half-measured attempt" at a mask mandate will not be enough to slow the spread of the virus.
In their joint statement, Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls and House Minority Leader Todd Prichard said: "Governor Reynolds seems shocked that her failed COVID strategy has resulted in thousands of deaths, overcrowded hospitals, unsafe schools, and some of the highest coronavirus infection rates in the country over the past nine months. Her half-measured attempt at a mask mandate will not be enough to make Iowans safer, especially heading into the holiday season. Her actions today are simply too little, too late. Half-measures will only prolong this pandemic and the suffering of Iowans."
Eli Perencevich, an epidemiologist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, tweeted that Reynolds’ new mask requirements do not go far enough.
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NEWS BRIEFS
Des Moines replacing parking meters with multi-space kiosks
Downtown Des Moines’ more than 3,000 parking meters will be replaced with about 400 multi-space meter pay kiosks, the city announced. The replacement process will begin in April, John Davis, the city’s traffic engineer, said. The new pay stations will allow the city to improve parking enforcement and data collection, Davis said in a news release. "Data collection
provided by the new system will allow us to more easily, quickly and accurately interpret parking trends and needs," he said. In the spring, city workers will begin removing existing parking meters in downtown and the East Village and replace them with identification markers. In addition, about 400 multi-space meter pay stations will be installed. As part of the change, Des Moines will launch a mobile device payment app. The city is consolidating all of its parking-related activities under one brand called Park Downtown DSM, Davis said. "Park Downtown DSM will help eliminate any ambiguities or uncertainties and provide customers clear and consistent information about their parking options in Des Moines," he said.
Grinnell College to replace loans with scholarships for all aid
packages
Grinnell College announced that it will eliminate student loans in students’ financial aid packages as part of a "no-loan initiative" endorsed by the college’s board of trustees. In a press release, the college said the change is a response to the financial hardship that many families are experiencing because of the pandemic. The initiative will begin in
the fall 2021 semester. "We are engaging in this initiative because we believe that education benefits not just individuals but communities and, in that benefit, is a crucial engine of democracy," Grinnell President Anne Harris said. "A Grinnell education is a shared endeavor — a partnership of Grinnell College, our students, families and alumni. We've been listening to the concerns of students and families, and this initiative will help our students as they approach graduation and face an uncertain economy." The college estimates it will spend $5 million annually on the no-loan initiative. Grinnell has contributed more than $10 million this year in additional financial aid and to cover unanticipated student needs that have arisen out of the pandemic. More than 60% of enrolled students are currently offered student loans as part of a need-based financial aid package. In 2019, the average borrower graduated with cumulative student educational debt of about
$20,000.
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FEARLESS VIDEO:
HONEST | Megan Srinivas
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We asked three women to tell their stories to the audience as part of last week's launch event for Fearless -- a multiplatform initiative with women-centered content, events and media designed to help women and the companies and allies who both value and support them.
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Megan Srinivas is an infectious disease physician and public health researcher based in Fort Dodge and is on the faculty at the University of North Carolina. Her research is focused on health inequities that are affecting rural areas both
domestically and internationally. Additionally as a member of the council for medical service and a national delegate for the American Medical Association, Srinivas is currently working with COVID-19 policy.
When she’s not crafting guidelines for how medical professionals should care for COVID-19 patients, or having meetings with the World Health Organization or the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Srinivas frequently sits on virtual panels, posts on social media and writes op-eds to educate people about COVID-19. Watch the video
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MEMBERSHIP EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Local women in retail experience varied business recoveries
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After a spring marked by the closure of retail businesses, many have reopened in one form or another. As we approach the end of 2020, owners have adapted and are looking toward recovery for their small businesses, but the path there won’t be identical for everyone. Studies show that this pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on women and that women business owners may face different challenges in reviving their businesses to pre-pandemic conditions. Three local business owners shared their experience and insights with the Business Record on what changes are in store for them as we continue fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
MORE INSIDER CONTENT: See all Business Record Insider content and become an Insider.
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NEWS BRIEFS
Amazon expands push into health care with online pharmacy
Bloomberg: Amazon.com Inc. unveiled its biggest push into selling prescription drugs with the launch of a digital pharmacy and discounts for U.S. Prime members that sent shock waves through shares of drugstore chains and distributors. The e-commerce giant today unveiled Amazon Pharmacy, a section of its retail website and mobile application that lets people order medication. Shoppers can pay using their health insurance. Prime members who don’t use their insurance are eligible for discounts on generic and brand-name drugs on Amazon’s site or at about 50,000 participating pharmacies.
U.S. pork exports maintain record levels for 2020
National Hog Farmer: Through the first three quarters of the year, U.S. pork exports were 16% ahead of last year's record pace in both volume (2.22 million metric tons) and value ($5.69 billion). September exports of pork increased 10% year-over-year, keeping 2020 exports on a record pace, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports were lower. Iowa is the nation's top pork producer.
- Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp bids for Simon & Schuster (New York Times)
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ONE GOOD READ
Three words to avoid burnout: No Meetings WeekBY KATE HAYDEN: Eight months into this pandemic, our attention spans may be forgivably short during the day. Perhaps after an hour or two in the zone of work, you’ve also been frustrated to hit pause for one of your weekly videoconference meetings? According to Inc.com, Google CEO Sundar Pichai recognized that challenge -- and is taking a few steps to stop interrupting Googlers’ workdays. It’s called "No Meetings Weeks," which is exactly what you think -- weeks when Google teams will officially not schedule meetings, with limited exceptions for teams on critical projects. "It's a simple and effective way to help give your team a gift of time and to help them clear their schedule of meetings. As someone who has worked remotely for years, I can say that it truly does feel like a gift," wrote tech columnist Jason Aten.
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Understanding the Impact of Values in Your Organization
ROWENA CROSBIE, PRESIDENT, TERO INTERNATIONAL
In
order to solve problems and live collaboratively, groups organize themselves with regard to values and beliefs. Values and beliefs drive how we expect life will look. These values and beliefs drive what we "see" when interacting with and observing people. Values determine what we pay attention to and how we act. Values determine the interpretation we assign to another person’s behavior. READ THE ARTICLE & WATCH THE VIDEO >
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KCCI TOP STORIES
'The worst we have seen.' Air ambulances busy with Iowa virus patients
Des Moines hospital air ambulances report their flights to carry COVID-19 patients around the state have tripled in the past few weeks. These vital health care workers are struggling to save lives in the air. Coronavirus has shifted the use of air ambulances in a big way. The story is much the same across town at UnityPoint Health. LifeFlight helicopters have been working nonstop for the past few weeks. Michael Zweigart is the program manager for LifeFlight. He says his crews have recently tripled the number of flights as COVID-19
surges in Iowa. Normally they deal with patients suffering from heart attacks and strokes. Now, 70% of their flights are to transport coronavirus patients. Read more
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Today:
Cloudy early, becoming mostly sunny this afternoon. High 48. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight:
Clear skies. Low near 35. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
Get the latest KCCI weather.
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MOBILE SPEED UNIT LOCATIONSToday:
1700
Guthrie Avenue
2300 block of East 14th Street
900 block of Euclid Avenue
Tomorrow:
5200 block of Southwest Ninth Street
2900 block of Southwest Ninth Street
1600 block of Army Post Road
See the full week's listing on the Des
Moines Police Department's Facebook page.
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BUSINESS RECORD IOWA INDEXThe Iowa Index is an unweighted average of all Iowa-based public companies. Below is a live look at those Iowa companies, plus additional companies with large operations in Iowa.
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