News
Health care workers using expired gear during pandemic and ‘hoping for the best’
WASHINGTON — States are receiving old or expired medical supplies from the federal stockpile. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advice: Use them anyway. The shortage of vital medical supplies, such as masks and ventilators, in the face of COVID-19 has led public health officials to advise hospital workers to reuse personal protective equipment […]
Iowa employment stays at 2.8% in February, not reflecting COVID-19 layoffs
Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed at 2.8% in February, in reports that don’t yet reflect widespread layoffs related to COVID-19. Iowa’s rate was 2.7% a year ago. The national rate fell slightly to 3.5% in February. “Because of the way the Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data, we do not expect the COVID-19 numbers […]
‘We don’t have any choice.’ Local malls prepare to follow governor’s latest closures
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the latest round of mandated business closures on Thursday, ordering non-essential retailers to shut their doors by 10 p.m. in an attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Retail stores, including stores selling books, clothing and shoes, jewelry, luggage, cosmetics, perfume and beauty supplies, furniture and home furnishings will be required […]
Iowa governor closes more businesses, extends closures to April 7
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Thursday she has extended her emergency COVID-19 response order an additional week, until April 7, and added to the list of businesses that must close. Her new order suspended elective and non-essential dental, orthodontic and medical procedures that can be delayed. That part of the order is effective at 5 […]
Iowans file record unemployment claims; food industry hurt most by COVID-19
A record 41,890 Iowans applied for unemployment last week, showing just how disruptive the COVID-19 pandemic has been to Iowa’s economy and workforce. For the week of March 15, 13,364 food-service workers filed unemployment claims, which is one of the hardest-hit industries that screeched to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Kim Reynolds […]
Inspections halted at Iowa’s food processing plants
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals has indefinitely suspended all routine inspections at the state’s food-processing plants. The agency is under contract with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to handle the inspection of Iowa’s food processing and manufacturing plants. Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA recently issued an order instructing all states […]
Iowa gains 34 COVID-19 cases, for total of 179
Iowa confirmed 34 more COVID-19 cases Thursday for total of 179 positive cases so far, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported. Thirty-one Iowans are currently hospitalized; 15 are discharged and recovering, and 81 have never been hospitalized. One Iowan has died. There have been 2,975 negative tests to date. According to IDPH, the locations […]
As COVID-19 hits Iowa nursing homes, feds suspend fines and penalties
With COVID-19 now confirmed at several Iowa nursing homes, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has suspended selected fines and other penalties against long-term care facilities. Iowa Health Care Association President and CEO Brent Willett said Wednesday the organization is “aware that four long-term care providers have reported a combined total of five […]
Iowa rates a ‘C’ for staying home, based on cell-phone data
Iowans received a “C” grade for staying home during the COVID-19 crisis, based on an analysis of cell-phone data showing the change in average distance traveled. Fourteen counties in Iowa earned “F” grades, showing less than a 10% decrease in distances traveled. The study was conducted by Unacast, a company that collects and analyzes location […]
Survey: Central Iowa businesses shake up operations amid COVID-19 outbreak
An unscientific online survey by the Greater Des Moines Partnership revealed ways the more than 600 businesses have been affected the COVID-19 outbreak. In results the Central Iowa business organization released Thursday, many business representatives said they have changed business practices and policies because of the spread of the new coronavirus, including laying off workers. […]
Obama stimulus watchdog: ‘Bad guys’ will make play for COVID-19 relief cash
WASHINGTON — Earl Devaney is feeling déjà vu. Devaney, a former longtime federal watchdog, was hired in 2009 to police the distribution of $840 billion in federal stimulus spending for the Obama administration. He had previously worked for the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. EPA’s environmental enforcement division and as the Interior Department’s inspector general. Now happily […]
Pandemic spurs U.S. Senate to pass historic aid package
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate late Wednesday night approved a $2 trillion spending bill that aims to provide economic relief for workers and businesses and to aid hospitals and states reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. The chamber voted 96-0 to pass the bill in an unusual display of bipartisanship. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who tested […]