Hunter
04/29/20
77 Iowa counties are getting ready to get back to business Friday, as Governor Kim Reynolds announced that certain restrictions will be loosened despite warnings that a second wave of infections will be the result.
The Des Moines Register reports that they got a copy of the 12 page report sent to the state Department of Public Health from researchers at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. The report says that although there were signs of a slowdown in infection and mortality rates, the peak has yet to be reached. The report concludes that prevention measures should remain in place, or a second wave of infections is likely.
Epidemiologist Doctor Eli Perencevich is one of the authors of the report, and is against opening up the state. On Tuesday, he Tweeted, “Make no mistake, IDPH and Governor have made a tragic error. By misreading Iowa’s “symptom onset” epidemic curve, they’ve been incorrectly thinking the curve is flattening, when it is actually increasing. Iowa opening up at the exact wrong time. Needed to wait 10-14 more days.”
Abby Finkenour, US Representative from the 2nd district, tweeted out, “Gov announces opening of churches, malls, retail, fitness centers in 77 counties as if every county is its own island and then says if she sees a spike will have to consider closing things down again…what would she call over 2000 more cases over last week? Unbelievable. “
Effective Friday in those 77 counties, you won’t be able to get your hair done, get another tattoo, catch a movie or get a tan in those counties, but you will be able to have an actual sit down meal in a restaurant, work out at your club, worship at your church, and browse at your local library or enclosed mall, with restrictions.
Speedways and race tracks that don’t run horses or dogs can also open up, but you won’t be allowed in to watch.
Pat Garrett, a spokesman for the Governor’s office, didn’t go into specifics about how Reynolds viewed the UI report, but said “we’re going to continue to make decisions based on what we have in front of us.” He also told the Register that “the governor thinks Iowans will do the right thing, and when we reopen, they’ll act and behave responsibly.”
