Commentary
Iowa had a child care shortage pre-COVID and some providers won’t reopen
Before COVID-19, Iowa was experiencing a child care “crisis,” to the point that it was keeping parents out of the workforce at a time of record low unemployment. Now, as the state begins to reopen and parents return to work, some may find themselves starting the search all over again for affordable, quality care. State […]
Are we forgetting the role of civic virtues?
American civic virtues find their roots in ancient Rome during and after the reign of Julius Caesar, assassinated by 60 conspirators in 44 B.C. Civil war erupted in the aftermath starring some of history’s greatest iconic figures, still known by celebrity first names: Brutus, Augustus, and Cleopatra. During this era, another first-name icon, Cicero, proclaimed: […]
As campaign 2020 shifts into high gear, Trump’s defamation suits pose a chilling prospect for the press
In the long and dubious history of nasty presidential politics, the anti-Trump attack ad that the pro-Democrat super PAC Priorities USA paid NBC affiliate WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, to televise in America’s 134th largest market seemed tame enough. The 30-second spot uses rapid-fire audio snippets of Trump dismissing the seriousness of the nascent but fast-growing COVID-19 outbreak from […]
It’s time to rethink Iowa’s business incentives
The coronavirus crisis has exposed the financial vulnerabilities of countless Iowa businesses. Whether we like it or not, it will be touch-and-go to see how many come through this intact, how many will end up as shadows of their former selves, and how many will disappear. It’s implausible that businesses will pick right up where […]
Failure to count COVID-19 nursing home deaths could dramatically skew US numbers
In New York state, 19 nursing homes have each reported 20 or more deaths from COVID-19. A nursing home in New Jersey reported 70 deaths out of its 500 residents. In the words of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, these homes have become a “feeding frenzy” for the virus and “the single biggest fear.” With […]
It’s the perfect time to reopen Iowa — politically speaking
Iowa has not reached the peak for COVID-19 cases. An expansive, $26 million testing program recommended by a popular actor is just getting started. Outbreaks are continuing to spread in nursing homes and packing plants. And hospitals continue to raise alarms about shortages of personal protective equipment for health care workers. Iowa is currently in […]
Why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan for states to reopen their economies
Editor’s Note: How and when states reopen their economies will look different from one state to the next state depending, in part, on where that state is in the trajectory of its coronavirus illnesses. In this Q&A, Hilary Godwin, dean of the University of Washington School of Public Health, explains why, and why it makes […]
Public health ‘rock star’ from Iowa gives us straight talk
In the world of contagions, epidemics and vaccines, there are not many true rock stars. There is, of course, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who directs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. His face is recognizable worldwide from his television briefings on the coronavirus epidemic sweeping the globe. Another is Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of […]
How much coronavirus testing is enough? States could learn from retailers as they ramp up
As states develop plans to restart their economies, the big fear is that coronavirus cases will surge again. To keep the pandemic under control, strategic testing systems will be needed, and they will need to be scaled up fast. But how many people should be tested? Who should be tested? And what should that testing […]
Why is Reynolds trusting meatpackers with COVID mitigation?
It was snowing on Thursday, the day Gov. Kim Reynolds was trying to assure Iowans that the management of a giant meatpacking company had it all under control. “You know, I think employers are doing the right thing and they need to continue to do the right thing,” she said Thursday. Company officials at Tyson […]
Bail out the Postal Service before cruise lines
It’s quiz time. Which arm of the federal government has the most contact with ordinary Americans, people like you and me? Is it the Internal Revenue Service? Social Security Administration? The Food and Drug Administration? Or the Department of Agriculture? Nope. Not that one. Not that one, either. None of those. The arm of the […]
Without PPE, direct care workers may face a breaking point
“I fear being infected and taking it home to my husband and kids who have asthma.” “We can’t work safely due to reduced amount of protective gear and staff shortage due to staff illness.” “I’m working in unsafe conditions with no PPE placing me and my husband who is a disabled veteran at risk.” These […]