Reynolds Orders Schools And Businesses To Remain Closed Through April 30th
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is ordering schools to remain on recess through April 30 as part of her efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. Reynolds says Thursday that keeping schools closed at least through April was needed as Iowa sees more cases of COVID-19, the illness
caused by the virus. Reynolds says school districts have until April 30 to let state officials now how they plan to continue to provide educational opportunities to students. Districts may choose programs using distributed paper worksheets or online tools giving students credit or they may provide noncredit lessons. Those offering noncredit must make up lost instructional
time beyond what hasn’t been waived by the Legislature.
Iowa Now Has Nearly 700 Cases Of Coronavirus
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The number of Iowa residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus soared by 85, bringing the total number of cases in the state to nearly 700. The Department of Public Health announced Friday that the latest cases were scattered through 31 counties, from Lyon
County in the state’s northwest corner to Van Buren County in southeast Iowa.
Polk County had 13 cases and Linn County had 14. The statewide total rose to 699 cases. No additional deaths were reported in Iowa.
Iowa Medical Board Now Calling For Governor Reynolds To Have A “Shelter-in-Place” Order
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Pressure from medical experts and politicians on the federal and state level is building for a mandatory shelter-in-place order from Gov. Kim Reynolds who rejects such a move as unnecessary. Eli Percenevich, an epidemiologist physician overseeing infection prevention research at the University of Iowa, says the metrics
Reynolds uses to decide her response isn’t staying ahead of the growth of infections and deaths. He joins Iowa Democratic legislative and congressional leaders in calling on Reynolds to issue a stay at home order. Joining in now on the call for a state wide “shelter in place” order is the Iowa Medical Board.
Banks Say They Are Not Prepared To Handle Small Business Assistance Loans
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Two of the largest banks in Iowa say they aren’t ready to take applications for the $349 billion small business aid program that began Friday. MidwestOne Bank and Bankers Trust announced late Thursday that they still do not have enough information from the Small Business Administration to proceed. Both indicated they would begin processing
applications as soon as they had the answers to key questions. A MidwestOne vice president told customers that banks “do not yet have critical program details” and warned that submitting inaccurate or incorrect applications would delay their aid. Des Moines-based Bankers Trust says it’s disappointed in the lack of guidance and delay.
Doctors Say University Of Iowa Hospitals Have Enough Capacity For I-C-U Patients
(Iowa City) — Doctors from the University of Iowa Hospitals says they are ready if there is a surge of people who would need coronavirus treatment in the intensive care unit. Doctor Brooks Jackson says the postponement of
elective surgeries helps in their ability to handle such patients.
Jackson is the dean of the U-I’s Carver College of Medicine. He gave an update on the planning to
the Board of Regents during their recent on-line meeting.
Jackson says they will convert medical-surgical units into I-C-U’s and then use recovery units for other rooms. He
says they have ventilators and the ability to convert anesthesia machines into ventilators. But Jackson says having the rooms and equipment isn’t the most important part of the equation — it’s having the proper staff to operate an I-C-U.
Property Tax Assistance Available For Low Income Seniors
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Treasurer, Shelly Sitzmann, wants to tell property owners that the State of Iowa offers some programs to assist elderly or disabled low-income individuals with their property tax.
One program for property owners is the Property Tax Credit Claim. To qualify, the person must:
· Be an Iowa resident
· Be 65 or older as of December 31, 2019
OR be totally disabled as of December 31, 2019
· Have 2019 annual household income under $23,810;
The Treasurer’s office will assist those who qualify by phone. If you have qualified in the past, please call The Treasurer’s office and staff will fill out the form for you over the phone. With the closing of the courthouse due to Covid19, we will assist people by phone. You will need your Social Security 2019 statement of income, any pension or annuity income statements, disability income, and any other income statements. If you would like a form mailed to you, please let the Treasurer’s office know. Forms can also be found online by visiting the Plymouth County website www.co.plymouth.ia.us.
Deadline to file a claim is June 1, 2020. If you have questions regarding this or any other tax credit, please call the Treasurer’s office at 546-7056
