Hogg: Virus spreading faster in open counties
For 11 days in a row, COVID-19 cases have increased faster in the 77 counties where Gov. Reynolds loosened restrictions than in the rest of Iowa.
Issues
Boulton: Workers’ compensation should cover coronavirus
More than 100 years ago, Upton Sinclair chronicled the misery and abuse of American workers in the meatpacking industry, describing them as “centers of contagion, poisoning the lives of all of us.” Today, we are witnessing a new chapter in the life and deaths of meatpacking workers and other essential workers through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smith: Making Tyson safe for workers must be first priority
The failure by bad actors in the meatpacking industry has imposed heavy costs on Iowans. Independent, ongoing health and safety reforms are essential to recovering from this economic and health care disaster.
Dem leaders: Take precautions when re-opening state Capitol
Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have submitted recommendations for how to safely re-open the Capitol when the Legislature resumes the 2020 session.
Hogg: Don’t deny unemployment to workers
After prematurely re-opening 77 counties, the Governor says Iowans who don’t go into work — out of fear for themselves or a vulnerable person in their family contracting COVID19 — will lose their unemployment benefits.
Petersen: Not time to randomly open segments of economy
Iowa is experiencing staggering daily infections, record-high deaths, and it has yet to hit its peak. This is not the time to try to make people happy by randomly reopening segments of the economy like crowded farmers markets.
Boulton: Corrections workers need support
With the dramatic increase in positive cases at the prison (IMCC) at Coralville, it is obvious that the State of Iowa has not done enough to protect Iowa’s public servants who are working the front lines during this public health disaster.
Senators: 3 steps to meatpacking worker safety
As the COVID-19 public health emergency worsens, three Iowa State Senators are calling for immediate action in response to multiple outbreaks at meatpacking facilities across the state.
Petersen: Need transparency in fight against COVID-19
Iowans want to be part of the solution. That requires more Iowans knowing what is going on. We deserve straightforward leadership that includes timely, accurate data, and clear directions.
Democratic leaders call for statewide stay-at-home order
Democratic legislative leaders call on the Governor to immediately issue a statewide stay-at-home order.