Government : Supervisors Extend Restrictions until February 2/Know the Law

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The Benton County Supervisors discussed the guidelines for COVID-19 in the courthouse at today's Supervisor's Meeting. 

Katie Cox, of the Benton County Board of Health, visited the meeting and compared COVID numbers from November 6th. She said, "Our numbers are just huge, we're getting a lot of cases." Cox continued, "we were at 368 then and today shared with the Supervisors that we have had 1,380 cases in Benton County. (Of these, Benton County County has had 522 recoveries. The Lutheran Home is at 42 cases with 24 recoveries, and Keystone Nursing Care is at 5 current cases)

At this point the County Attorney, Dave Thompson came into the room snapping his fingers and pointing at two of the Supervisors demanding, "Masks on pursuant to the Governors orders."  I would note that according to the Governor's speech on Monday evening, she said,  (1)"This does not restrict gatherings that occur in the workplace as part of normal daily business or government operations."  The courthouse however has allowed face shields as was pointed out. So a face shield and a mask were put on by the supervisors.

Cox also recapped the Governors orders for bars, restaurants noting that they must close at 10:00 p.m. She also stated that there was a (2) closing of fitness centers, which is incorrect. See Footnote below.

Cox stated that the concern is overwhelming the health care system. She noted new guidelines limiting services. Some of those guidelines were to limit elective surgeries to 50%. She said, "It's the responsibility of each of us to protect ourselves and each other."

(3) Cox said that in Region 6, which Benton County is part of, we have 1,510 hospitalized. Actually, we only have 374 hospitalized. (There appears to be a glitch in the state's COVID website. If you click on Region 6 a second time it will show Region 1's numbers which is the 1,510 number.) She stated that 288 were in the ICU the actual number is 58, She said that we had 215 admissions in the last 24 hours, the actual number is 60. She said we have 852 beds available, the actual number is 888. She also stated that we have 130 on ventilators, and that number is actually 28. You can check out the Iowa COVID website here keep in mind that the numbers will change again after tonight, Tuesday 11/12/20.

Cox also noted that the Belle Plaine and Benton Community Schools have gone to online learning. 

Supervisor Biernsheik inquired about deaths and so far that number stands at 11 for the county and asked what we could do to help bring these numbers down. Cox stated that wearing masks would help. "I don't know why we've gotten away from this idea, I don't know if it's politics or how, I don't know if it's the internet or social media, but so many people have a misconception about masks, they don't quite understand, it's just a basic way we can help ourselves and others. It's so important," Cox said, "I think we need to encourage that everywhere."

Supervisor Rick Primmer said that he had asked County Attorney David Thompson to come up with a policy, so Thompson handed out what he had put together for the Supervisors. Thompson provided the Supervisors with a copy of what Virginia Gay Hospital is doing for prevention. Second, he handed out a copy of what he believes to be the current Iowa Department of Public Health policy. He said the biggest difference between the two was a quarantine for 10 days for VGH and 14 days for IPH. He pointed out that of course one is a hospital and not a government office. One of the requirements would be off 10 days and fever free for 72 hours without any fever reducers.

Cox explained that the hospital critical worker policy says that if they have been exposed, as long as they are showing no symptoms they would be asked to mask and monitor for symptoms.

Thompson expressed the concern that at the county level if this winter our numbers escalated, would we have enough snowplow drivers if too many became ill, or would they need to call in retirees until the crisis was over. A lot of discussions was had about various scenarios. What if the custodian was exposed? Could they clean at night? etc. There was a lot of "what ifs" discussed.

Sheriff Tippett asked about testing before returning to work. Cox explained that the tests can show positive weeks after you've had the virus, so she encouraged looking more at symptoms from the onset of or exposure to COVID. The rapid test, Cox said, shows more false positives than the tests which use the swabs.

Sheriff Tippett also explained that "We are under a mandate by the Governor which is Constitutional he said, and it can be enforced." He said, "If it was the City of Vinton that made the mandate, that would not be constitutional we can't enforce that." 

The Supervisors decided to extend the current restrictions at the courthouse in addition masks are required at all times in all areas of the courthouse other than in the case of driver's license photo or if a judge gives permission while testifying, etc. The current order will extend through February 2, 2021.

Newest Proclamation

(1) 6.B States government business is exempt

(2) 7.B addressed Fitness Centers

(1) Governor's Complete remarks on Monday night:

REMARKS AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY: 

My fellow Iowans…  

As you know, our state... like so many across the nation...is seeing a significant increase in the spread of COVID-19. And right now, the pandemic in Iowa is worse than it has ever been. 

Over the last two weeks, there have been more than 52,000 new cases of the virus in Iowa. To put that into perspective, we had the same number of cases from the beginning of the pandemic in March to mid-August.  

For some Iowans who have experienced the virus first hand, that may not seem like something to worry about. Because for many, Covid-19 has been relatively mild, some having no symptoms at all.  

I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful that our children and healthy Iowans have largely been unaffected. But I'm afraid that these mild cases have created a mindset where Iowans have become complacent. Where we've lost sight of why it was so important to flatten the curve.  

About 5% of Iowans with COVID-19 require hospitalization, and because of the increase we've seen over the last two weeks, our healthcare system is being pushed to the brink. The number of Iowans in the hospital with Covid-19 has doubled, to the point where 1 out of every 4 hospital patients has the virus.  

So as cases continue to climb, hospitalizations will also grow at a similar pace. 

In late October, new daily hospitalizations were just approaching the 100 mark. Now, just a few weeks later, they top 200 a day. 

That's not sustainable. 

If our healthcare system exceeds capacity, it's not just Covid-19 we'll be fighting. Every Iowan who needs medical care will be put at risk.  

If an ambulance is transferring a Covid-19 patient, it's not available to respond to an accident on a rural county road. If hospital beds are full, a loved one who suffers a heart attack or stroke may have to be transported miles away to receive life-saving treatment. 

And it's not just the emergencies that are of concern. Routine procedures that catch cancer at its early stages will likely be postponed, turning what would be a treatable disease into a terminal diagnosis.  

That is what we're facing, if we don't do something. Will there be enough first responders to help? Will trauma teams be available? Will you get the care you need?  

Not if we don't act. 

That's why I'm talking directly to you tonight. To ask for your help. Not just as your governor. But as a daughter. As a mother. As a grandmother. It's up to all of us… so that the worst case scenarios I just described, don't become our reality.  

So tonight I'm announcing additional mitigation measures that will go into effect at midnight.   

These measures are targeted toward activities and environments where they have the potential to make a significant impact in a relatively short amount of time.  

That doesn't mean these changes will be easy... or popular. But they're necessary if we want to keep our businesses open, our kids in school, and our HC system stable.  

Starting tomorrow... when you're in an indoor public space, and unable to social distance for 15 minutes or longer, masks are required to be worn.  

The same requirements apply to visitors and employees inside State buildings, and I strongly encourage other businesses to follow this lead. 

Indoor social, community, business and leisure gatherings or events will be limited to 15 people. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 30. This includes wedding and funeral receptions, family gatherings and conventions.   

(1) 

This does not restrict gatherings that occur in the workplace as part of normal daily business or government operations.  

With the exception of high school, collegiate and professional sports, all organized youth and adult sports activities of any size are suspended. This includes basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, swimming, and dance. 

While high school sports and extracurricular activities are not prohibited, spectators at games or events are limited to 2 per student and required to wear a mask.   

Restaurants and bars are required to close at 10 p.m. and cannot host private gatherings of more than 15 people. Masks must be worn by staff who have direct contact with customers, and customers must wear masks when they are not seated at their table.  

And inpatient elective procedures will be reduced by 50%. 

All measures will be reassessed in a week, and additional measures could be added based on what we are seeing with hospital capacity. 

No one wants to do this. I don't want to do this, especially as we're coming into a holiday season that is normally filled with joy. I cherish Thanksgiving with my family, and this year we're postponing that. My children and grandchildren will not gather together in my home, as we do every year and as I hoped they would this year. But it's to keep them safe. It's to keep you safe.  

I'm asking you tonight to work with me. To think of your family, your friends, and all of your fellow Iowans. Think of the healthcare heroes who have been taking care of us since the beginning of this pandemic. 

I know that it's been a long eight months. But there is a light at the end of this tunnel. I'm hopeful, as we all are, that a vaccine will be here soon.  But until then, it's important to step up, and slow the spread to make sure that Iowans stay safe. To make sure that our hospitals can treat everyone who needs care.  

Before I close, let me make one thing clear: This isn't about mandates. This isn't about government. There isn't enough law enforcement in the country to make sure that every Iowan is wearing a mask when they should. There aren't enough sheriff's in Iowa's 99 counties to shut down every non-compliant bar.  

If Iowans don't buy into this, we lose. Businesses will close once again. More schools will be forced to go online. Our healthcare system will fail, and the cost in human life will be high.  

So now is the time to come together for the greater good. To look out for each other--not because you're told to, but because it's the right thing to do. That's who we are as Iowans.  

We will get through this--together.  

May God continue to watch over us and bless this state. 

Thank you. 

(3)

See the picture below for the true Region 6 numbers.