Reynolds Prepared To Allow Some Businesses To Open
(Des Moines) — During her daily briefing held Friday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds offered a hint that she may be prepared to allow some businesses to open again. Reynolds says she will perhaps make the official announcement on Monday, but added, the businesses would need to remain closed until the end
of April.
Governor Reynolds also is granting local farmers markets to begin operations, providing they follow appropriate public health precautions.
Reporters asked the governor since our COVID-19 numbers keep increasing, and the peak has not yet been determined, is it a wise decision to begin opening some of Iowa businesses? Sarah Reisetter, Deputy Director with the Iowa Department of Public
Health stepped to the podium to answer the question.
The governor, along with officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health stated that some elective surgeries may be granted within the near future.
That prompted questions from the media asking about the availability of Personal Protective Equipment, and whether Iowa still has a shortage of such medical equipment such as gloves, masks, face-shields, and surgical gowns?
Reynolds says the opening of certain businesses may happen in certain counties and regions that have been able to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Remsen St. Mary’s To Hold Auction For Naming Rights To Gym
(Remsen) — Remsen St. Mary’s school plans to hold the “Naming of the Gymnasium” auction next Friday, May 1st. Sarah Garvin, is the Director of School Advancement for Remsen St. Mary’s and says interested bidders need to register by Monday.
Garvin says the auction will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening, and will be featured on the Remsen St. Mary’s Facebook page. However, Garvin says bids will not be accepted through the Facebook comment section.
Under normal circumstances, the naming of the gym would have taken place during the Remsen St. Mary’s annual fund raiser ball, which would have been held last Saturday, April 18th, if not for the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Garvin says instead of holding the traditional fund raising ball, they held a “virtual” fund raiser.
Even though the circumstances were different, Garvin says the amount raised so far this year is comparable to past year’s fund raising efforts.
The Remsen St. Mary’s school official says the amount of money raised will go to help support the general budget. She says a committee will later determine what activities or academics will specifically benefit from the generated funds. Garvin says anyone interested in donating funds to Remsen St. Mary’s can still do so by contacting the schools Development Office. Jim Klein of the Jim Klein Realty and Auction of Remsen will serve as the auctioneer for the naming of the gymnasium.
Wind Turbine Blade Manufacturer Halting Production in Newton
(Newton, IA) — T-P-I Composites is temporarily halting production at its wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Newton as employees are tested for COVID-19. Plant general manager Josh Syhlman said T-P-I proactively reached out to the governor’s office to discuss an enhanced COVID-19 testing plan
after 28 confirmed new cases were reported during the last week. T-P-I expects the voluntary pause in production to last until the middle of next week. This will allow for another deep clean of the facility and to implement a more rigorous testing plant. The company also plans to provide protective masks to its associates’ family members for use at home.
No Plans to Cancel Iowa State Fair So Far
(Des Moines, IA) — Many events are being cancelled or postponed because of the coronavirus – but the Iowa State Fair is still on for now. C-E-O Gary Slater says the State Fair is following Governor Reynolds recommendations and they are not ready to make a decision yet. He says the virus has been
changing and expects more changes before mid-August. Slater says they may implement some COVID-19 protocols and the staff is currently working remotely. He says the team will make a final decision on the State Fair by the middle of June. Opening day is August 13th.
