Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
PANDEMIC
PANDEMIC. An outbreak is “a sudden rise in the incidence of a disease” and typically is confined to a localized area or a specific group of people. If an outbreak become more severe, and less localized, it may be characterized as an epidemic. If it broadens still further, and affects a significant portion of the population, the disease may be characterized as a pandemic. Among the best known pandemics is the Black Death, a plague which spread across Asia and Europe in the middle of the 14th century.
There have been a number of pandemics since the beginning of the 20th century: the Spanish INFLUENZA of 1918/19 (H1N1-which did not originate in Spain) and the flu pandemics in 1957 (H2N2)-Asian flu) and 1968 (H2N2-Hong Kong flu). The flu of 1918/19 struck in three waves. A mild wave in the spring of 1918 was replaced in September to November by a second wave resulting in a mortality rate over 2.5% A third wave equally strong swept the world in 1919. It is believed the virus probably originated in the United States and then spread to Europe. The estimated worldwide number of deaths exceeded 50 million with young adults the largest group affected. The flu of 1957-58 (H2N2) originated in southern China in February 1957 and over three months spread to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan and in October to the United Kingdom and United States. A second wave was found in January 1958. There were between 1-4 million people killed worldwide. Children were the most affected by the virus. In 1968-1969 two waves (H3N2) struck during the winter. It originated in Hong Kong in July 1968 and when finished killed 1-4 million people. All age groups were affected. (1)
On March 16, 2020 the following announcement was made:
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol will
declare a state of emergency in Dubuque in response to the coronavirus.
At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dubuque County
but the proclamation follows the Iowa Department of Public Health’s (IDPH)
notification of community spread of the virus in Iowa and recommendation
of the immediate implementation of mitigation measures to slow the spread
of the virus, as well as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ recommendation that
all Iowa schools close for four weeks.
“One of the greatest responsibilities of an elected official is the protection
of the electorate served and the protection of the greater public health and
safety,” stated Boul. “I hereby determine that a state of emergency or public
danger exists.”
Through tonight’s proclamation, Mayor Buol is prohibiting gatherings of 50 or
people on public property and strongly suggests private gatherings of 50 or more
on private property should be avoided. The proclamation follows a statement last
encouraging social distancing.
In addition, the proclamation also orders the closure of some City buildings,
for the protection of residents and city staff. Specifically, the City of Dubuque
is closing the following City buildings to public access beginning Tuesday, March 17,
through at least Sunday, April 12:
City Hall, 50 W. 13th St.
City Hall Annex, 1300 Main St.
Housing & Community Development Department,
Historic Federal Building, 350 W 6th St.
Leisure Services Department Office and Bunker Hill
Golf Course, 2200 Bunker Hill Rd.
Municipal Services Center, 925 Kerper Ct.
Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Ave
Comiskey Park Building, 255 E. 24th St.
Allison Henderson Park Building, 1500 Loras Blvd.
City staff in these buildings will continue to work and provide services to the
public electronically, by phone, by mail, and when necessary, by appointment.
Details on payment options for utility bills, parking tickets, and all permits
and fees will be announced tomorrow.
Additionally, all City of Dubuque Leisure Services recreational programs and
Multicultural Family Center (MFC) programs are cancelled through at least April
12. City staff will contact those registered and offer refunds and/or credits.
Registration for summer programs will not begin until at least April 13. Please
note, all meetings and other gatherings scheduled at the Comiskey Park building
and the Allison Henderson building are cancelled. During the shutdown, City staff
will be sanitizing all areas of each of these facilities.
City staff is currently working on a method that would allow the MFC’s Food Pantry
scheduled for Friday, March 20, to continue -- while keeping both the pantry
participants, volunteers, and staff protected by following the protocols of the CDC
and IDPH. City staff will be corresponding with Food Pantry participants to provide
updates.
For information and questions related to City services and programs, please contact
appropriate City department or submit a request through the City’s Citizen Support
Center at www.cityofdubuque.org.
For information about Coronavirus (COVID-19), visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging- Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus. For Dubuque County specific information, call the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association at 563.556.6200 (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday), the Dubuque County Health Department at 563.557.7396 (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday), or the City of Dubuque Health Services Department at 563.589.4181(8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday).
The immediate cause of the announcement was a similar statement made by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on March 15th and similar statements coming from the White House in the previous days. The root of the issue was coronavirus, a disease which had reached pandemic proportions. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defined pandemic as "an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population. Believed to have originated in China, the disease spread worldwide leading to a national lockdown in Italy, repeated requests by public health officials in the United States to limit travel and practice self-quarantine if recently outside the United States, accusations that it was simply a Democratic Party attempt to deny Donald Trump a re-election to the presidency, and most recently the shutdown of many high profile public events, sporting events, and public schools in the eastern United States.
One of the immediate results was a run on grocery supplies of toilet paper and hand sanitizers. By the end of the second week of quarantine, stores limited purchases.
On March 14, 2020 the closest of Iowa's seventeen cases was in Iowa City, in Wisconsin was in Dane County, and in Illinois McHenry County--a two hour drive from Jo Daviess County. Despite this, some restaurants like PANERA BREAD COMPANY pre-packaged packets of powdered creamer and sugar for customers, shoppers at HyVee were unable to use cloth bags for groceries, and clerks giving change at WALGREEN COMPANY wore gloves. (2) Mary Rose Corrigan, the public health specialist for the City of Dubuque, maintained it was not a question of "if" but when the disease would reach Dubuque. Wisconsin and Illinois announced all schools would be closed until March 30th. (3) After four more cases of the virus were discovered in Iowa, Governor Reynolds stated all schools should close for four weeks. (4) Such caution coincided with a study by United Kingdom epidemiologists that attempts to slow or mitigate--rather than actively halt or suppress--the virus could overwhelm the number of intensive care hospital beds and lead to an estimated 250,000 deaths in the UK and over a million in the United States. (5)
As late at March, the United States was significantly slow in testing people for the disease. White House efforts included reducing $15 billion in national health spending and cutting the global disease-fighting operational budgets of the CDC, NSC, DHS, and HHS. The federal government’s $30 million Complex Crises Fund was eliminated. In 2017 and 2018, the philanthropist billionaire Bill Gates met repeatedly with John Bolton and his predecessor, H.R. McMaster, warning that ongoing cuts to the global health disease infrastructure would render the United States vulnerable to the “significant probability of a large and lethal modern-day pandemic occurring in our lifetimes.” An independent, bipartisan panel formed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies concluded that lack of preparedness was so acute in the Trump administration that the “United States must either pay now and gain protection and security or wait for the next epidemic and pay a much greater price in human and economic costs.” (6) Repeated assurances from the President that "this will just go away" and claims by his supporters that the disease was a "hoax," caused the total number of tests given in months in the United States to be far less than South Korean health officials were giving daily. Getting precise figures also met such challenges as Vermont no longer reporting non-Vermont resident cases of the virus. (7) Rapidly losing ground were attempts to trace the passage of the disease as it became "community spread" meaning people cannot identify how or where they became infected. (8)
Reynold's proclamation of a "public health disaster emergency" ordered the closing of the state's bars and dine-in restaurants until March 31. Curbside, carry-out, and drive-through food service would be allowed. The declaration also closed all fitness centers, theaters, casinos and gaming facilities, senior citizen centers and adult day care facilities. It prohibited gatherings of more than ten people including social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure and sporting events. (9)
It was fair to say that nearly every occasion at which a crowd might be expected was either called off or about to be canceled by Tuesday, March 17th. The ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE following the example of many other churches which experienced either no services or very light attendance on Sunday announced that public celebrations of Mass would be canceled beginning March 19th. Parishioners could watch a live video of the archbishop delivering Mass at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday. He would also lead the rosary every Thursday. Further information could be obtained at DBQArch.org. (10) FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST also announced video services. Like other organizations, the CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY maintained a reduced staff, but closed the library at noon on March 17th.
Unique efforts at maintaining some degree of normal activity included those of the Carnegie-Stout Library. One March 18th the following notice was made by email from their website:
Use the library’s catalog www.dubuque.lib.ia.usto search
for materials that you want to check out. Place a hold on
the titles that you would like. Please limit the number to
5 items per visit. It will typically take a day to pull
the items and check them out to you. Stop by the library
during curbside delivery hours (Monday-Friday, Noon –6:30
p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. –2:00p.m.) and telephone us
589-4225 to let us know you are here for your hold. We
will run the material out to you. The pick-up location is
Locust Street at the area where there is a short drive way,
with no parking meter. Please have your library card with
you or a photo ID. If you do not have access to the online
catalog, call the library at 589-4225 for help placing a
hold, or identifying a book to read. (11)
Financial markets continued the radical swings seen for over a week. On March 17th after a government suggestion that checks might be mailed to everyone to mitigate job loss the Dow-Jones rose over 1,000 points. All of that was given up the next morning as another sell-off left the market just over 20,000--down over 9,000 points in less than two months. The investment firm of Basepoint Wealth offered a webinar on how to react to the first bear market in ten years. At the end of the day, March 18, the market had closed below 20,000.
Local businesses mirroring an action taken nationally stepped up the practice of employees working from home. Brad Pinchuk, president and CEO of Hirschbach Motor Lines, began requiring all workers to work remotely at least one day during the week of March 14th to have the experience. All office personnel were then given the opportunity to continue at home "for the foreseeable future." Those remaining in the office were required to clean their work stations multiple times per day and not to go out for lunch. The company had food brought to the office. DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY announced that all banking lobbies would be closed with the exception of its KENNEDY MALL and Farley Banking Center locations. All drive-through services remained open. Customers were encouraged to conduct transactions via mobile and online avenues whenever possible. The sudden increase in the number of residents working remotely led to the concern that the use could exceed the limits of the region's internet capacity. Richard E. (Rick) DICKINSON, president and CEO of the GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION believed recent enhancement of the broadband infrastructure, extending access to rural areas and increased system redundancy would provide the needed flexibility. (12)
On Thursday, March 19, the DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE was closed to the public. The following announcement was made by email:
The City of Dubuque is temporarily suspending water
shut-offs on past-due. This will not alleviate the
bill as late fees will continue to be charged until
the balances are addressed.
The Community Development Advisory Commission members voted unanimously to recommend that $300,000 received by the city to aid low to moderate income residents be put toward an emergency shelter if needed to quarantine at-risk populations in Dubuque. The shelter would provide temporary drive-thru diagnostic testing. Approval for this action was still needed by the city council and the federal government. (13)
As of March 21, 2020, Dubuque County had reported one case of the virus, while the State of Iowa announced the number statewide was 68. (14) On March 23rd, the county had identified six cases in Dubuque County, the third highest in the state. The location of the cases in the county were not reported. Iowa by this time had reported 105. (15)
Officials of the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT and local partner organizations organized by March 24th to offer free grab-and-go meal services to families who could reach one of the distribution points. These included AUDUBON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUB OF GREATER DUBUQUE, COMISKEY PARK, CONVIVIUM URBAN FARMSTEAD. DUBUQUE DREAM CENTER, STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL]], HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MARSHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, PRESCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Terrace Heights, and Resources Unite. (16)
News of shortages of medical masks led some local companies like DUBUQUE MATTRESS COMPANY to begin making them. Manufactured of polyester cotton blend, the masks included a filter similar to one used in a furnace. Mid concerns of whether the masks provided adequate protection. According to the CDC website, masks of this type were only used with COVID-19 patients as a last resort. MERCYONE DUBUQUE MEDICAL CENTER posted that it would no accept any of the masks until further notice. Neither the City of Dubuque nor Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management had any requests for the masks. Local businesses and individuals were asked to donate N95 masks, gowns and face shields. (17)
On March 23, 2020 the Dubuque County medical liaison officer estimated that based on CDC projections there were probably 200 unconfirmed cases of the virus in the county. This was using the confirmed count of 4 people. (18)
Although he preferred the action be taken by the governor, Mayor Buol announced on March 26, 2020 his consideration of issuing an order for residents to shelter in place due to the virus. State health officials on the previous day had announced 21 new cases, a 21% increase, which brought the state total to 145. The Iowa governor had not followed her peers in Illinois and Wisconsin by issuing an order closing all nonessential businesses, restricting all nonessential travel and urging people to stay at home. Local officials, however, had been petitioned by health officials for further action fearing the hospitals would be overwhelmed. (19)
Social distancing, a key factor in controlling the spread of the virus, was identified as a mental health threat. Regular positive interaction with friends and a sense of loss of control over one's life were important for mental health. As these were removed by government edicts, chronic loneliness increased the body's stress response and increased the risks of alcoholism, dementia, depression and high blood pressure. A 2015 review of medical literature found that social isolation increased mortality by 29%. (20)
Shutting down businesses led owners to face the lengthy and complex application procedures to receive financial assistance. To help in the situation the GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Northeast Iowa Community College, and the local Small Business Development Center partnered to provide solutions. A help-line was established with staff members trained to understand the details of existing programs and study the new programs being developed. (21)
City officials on March 27th warned that the estimated lost revenue, estimated at $2.5 million, could complete delete the city's cash reserves. The result could be delayed hirings, canceled city projects, and a reconsideration of tax rates and fee increases for the beginning fiscal year. There was a 24% increase in virus cases on March 26th bringing the total to 179 including six in Dubuque County. This led to the announcement by Governor Kim Reynolds of additional business closings such as furniture and clothing stores and non-essential dental procedures and surgeries. The proposed vote on a new FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER was postponed indefinitely. (22)
As of Thursday, March 26th there were 82,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States--the most in the world. Local grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies remained open while adjusting to huge changes in demand. Initially shelves of toilet paper were left bare as customers hoarded it. At a Walgreens, four cases brought in overnight were sold in three hours. Hand sanitizers became so scarce that Hartig Drug began making it up in 4-gallon batches. It was not enough to stock the shelves, but could be used by employees and customers in the store. "Sneeze shields" were installed at HyVee between the cashiers and customers. Food shortages were not reported although more cooking at home resulted in increased demand for flour. (23) The ability to enter places of business varied. Happy Joes Pizza allowed customers to enter the premises to pick up their phoned-in orders while Pizza Hut posted signs asking customers to phone the store once they had arrived for a clerk to bring their order to them. Panera Bread canceled their usual delivery charges for items brought to homes or places of business. A common sight was people entering restaurants for something to eat and then consuming the product while sitting in their cars--just to have time out of the house. (24)
Using what had been observed over the past weeks in other areas of the world, tri-state hospitals and clinics began establishing procedures in the event similar conditions struck locally. Using a Facebook Live event, Dr. Bobby Koneru, medical liaison for the Dubuque County Emergency Response Team stated the region faced different conditions than those of badly struck New York City. The lack of population density, however, also meant that the number of ventilators and resources were fewer. Neither the Dubuque County Emergency Director nor Public Health Director knew how the county was supplied with ICU beds. Attempts by reporters of the Telegraph Herald for answers to create a "profile of area hospital capacity including the number of intensive care and general occupancy beds, typical occupancy, and plans for increasing bed count or staff in case of a surge went unanswered by both hospitals. A statement regarding overall preparedness from MERCYONE DUBUQUE MEDICAL CENTER read: "This includes a multi-phased approach for bed placement as the number of patients with COVID-19 increases." Officials of UNITYPOINT HEALTH-FINLEY HOSPITAL stated the hospital already had "features like airborne infection isolation rooms with negative pressure to help in situations like this pandemic and that protocols existed for staff members to be screened tested and monitored. (25) As of March 28th, there were eight cases confirmed in Dubuque County.
Not forgotten was the class of 2020 which after nearly four years of classwork and social events were left with little hope of those final activities enjoyed by others--prom and graduation. Classes had been put on hold or completed through optional home assignments. Among the feelings expressed by students interviewed by the Telegraph Herald was a realization of how easy it was to take many things--seeing friends every day, classes, and "stuff," for granted. Opportunities to at least see close friends were available through social media. Many could not understand the reaction of their peers and others who ignored health warnings like social distancing of at least six feet. For some, the constant barrage of news stories of increased death proved a cause of anxiety and they chose to limit their watching of news and "be in the moment and be present." (26)
The results of the U. S. Census were used to distribute billions of federal dollars and determine legislative districts among other things. The best laid plans of local officials concerning getting census forms turned in were completely disrupted. Plans had been made to set up and staff three kiosks around town to help residents with the forms. Included in the staff were individuals who spoke Spanish and Marshallese. Census bureau representatives were also scheduled to attend local community events. The cancellation of events, social distancing calling for a space of at least six feet between people, and a statewide ban on gatherings of more than ten people undid all these ideas. In reaction, census bureau officials extended the period for people to respond by two weeks and continued efforts to count the local homeless population. Work to place print and broadcast advertisements were continued. (27)
Dubuque County public health and medical leaders on March 30th announced plans to prepare for a surge in COVID-19 cases they expected in two weeks. This was expected to be the first peak and not necessarily the last. Dubuque as of March 30th was tied for the fourth-highest (21) number of cases. Unity Point Health officials would be able to quickly increase capacity by doubling patient room occupancy and converting ambulatory into patient care space. MercyOne officials also planned to double the capacity of patient rooms. Grand River Medical Group was having its nurses call every patient to administer a COVID-19 questionnaire before arrival. They were also isolating patients with similar symptoms to those of COVID-19. Officials with MEDICAL ASSOCIATES CLINIC PC (THE) said traffic patterns were being redesigned to screen patients before they entered the clinics. Temporary office space was moved into parking lots so that patients could be inspected for symptoms. All agencies agreed that they would work together. (28)
On March 31st, following the identification of an employee testing positive for COVID-19, the entire operations of the JOHN DEERE DUBUQUE WORKS was closed down for a "thorough disinfection. Company officials stated that the disinfection would "meet or exceed local and state health-department guidance including third party industrial hygiene assessments." Deere was considered "essential" by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security and production was to resume on a staggered course over the next several weeks. (29)
With many people at home, either alone or with their family, the DUBUQUE REGIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY was encouraging pet adoptions by lowering adoption fees, increasing efforts to divert new admissions, and encouraging community members to open their homes for fostering. With no evidence that pets spread the COVID-19 disease, humane society officials were anxious to get their animals out of cages and into homes where they could bring some companionship to those in quarantine. (30)
Concentrated populations posed serious health risks. Outbreaks in places like jails could be serious. To avoid what could have important health consequences, local officials were doing what they could to lower the number of people incarcerated. This involved cooperation between the county attorney, jail staff, local defense attorneys and local judges. Some inmates received reduced sentences while other were released with monitoring devices. Small bonds were replaced with unsecured appearance bonds. On March 1st, there were 186 inmates in jail. On April 1st there were 127 of which ten were serving sentences with the rest awaiting court hearings or being held on out-of-state warrants. (31)
The concern about the effects of long-term isolation led to many interventions. Daily calls among friends became common. For-profit internet sites offering e-cards for most occasions saw an increase in business. For an annual fee, an unlimited number of cards could easily be sent utilizing email address lists pre-established by the customer. With better weather, outdoor visits to shut-ins at nursing homes increased. By standing or sitting outside an opened window, conversations could easily be handled. Organized groups like Take Off Pounds Sensitively (TOPS) had callers who reached out to members to chat.
As of April 4th, Iowa was one of only eight states (all with Republican governors) which had not issued "stay in place" orders. These would limit people's movements to necessary driving to groceries, pharmacies, or doctors' appointments. People could continue to take walks in their neighborhoods keeping in mind social distancing. Issues nationwide had been raised whether the government could restrict such meetings as religious services.
AIRPORT officials during the week ending April 4th, reduced the number of daily flights from three to two. The reduced schedule was to remain in place through April. In May the airport would reduce its schedule to one flight per day. Comparisons to the days following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 were made as to the effect on the aviation industry. In that instance it took the industry nine months to return to normal. (32)
The governor announced during the first week of April that public school district had three options from which to choose to provide educational opportunities for their students. Districts could require their students to participate in online educational services; provide online optional enrichment opportunities; or offer no continuous learning between April 10th and April 30th. Continuous learning would offer students a choice whether to participate and no grades or credit would be given. The district could also offer required educational services in which students had to participate with attendance taken and grades given. If districts chose not to offer continuous learning they would need to make up educational hours missed between April 10th and 30th. Dubuque officials announced their plans to begin "pretty significant voluntary options" starting on April 8th. These would include teacher-produced videos and lessons focused on key areas. Questions existed as to how to serve students receiving special education services and those who spoke English as a second language. There was also a concern about whether students had internet access at home. (33)
The city received nearly $650,000 in federal grant funding through the COVID Recovery Community Development Block Grant program which was tied to the the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, a $2.2 trillion dollar emergency bill passed by Congress to respond to the pandemic and its impacts. (34)
FLEXSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC., impacted by the virus, laid off forty people during the first week of April. Those affected were in sales, customer service, or other corporate functions. All worked at the company headquarters and were expected to be laid off three months. In March, the company shut down its plant on Seippel Road for two weeks. In connection with the construction of the $25 million plant, the company had received $2 million in state incentives and the City had committed to ten years of tax-increment financing. Since these incentives were tied to the number of employees on the Seippel Road facility, the headquarters reductions did the affect those agreements. (35)
Between Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4th the number of virus cases reported in Iowa rose 12% to reach a total of 786. This included two new cases in Dubuque County bringing its total of 24. (36) Each county was responsible for tracking the prior movement of those confirmed to have the virus. In Dubuque County, that responsibility belonged to the DUBUQUE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION. The VNA staff interviewed patients, physicians, and the labs where positive tests were processed.
When a laboratory found a positive result, it notified the facility that conducted the test. The facility contacted the patient and the VNA. Immediately a case investigation was formed of basic information including:
a) if the person lived in a long-term care or correctional facility,
b) if the person was homeless,
c) where the person was in the course of the disease,
d) where the person was believed to have been exposed,
e) if the person had recently traveled
f) if close contacts had symptoms or were diagnosed
The VNA staff provided isolation guidance, reviewed symptoms with the patient, and followed their progress daily. The VNA had over twenty years experience as the communicable disease tracer for Dubuque County. (37)
By April 9, 2020 the employees of DUBUQUE MATTRESS COMPANY had manufactured and distributed more than 10,000 masks. These were not intended to be used by health care workers dealing directly with COVID-19 patients. They could offer some protection to first responders and individuals. Doug Dolter, owner of the business, decided to shift the manufacturing of the company from mattresses to masks in March following state mandates to Italic textpractice social distancing. He also understood that many area fire departments lacked an adequate supply. Assisting Dolter was Joann Fabrics which donated 200 yards of material and the members of the nonprofit Key City Creative Center which undertook the job of cutting the filter that went into the masks. In addition to cutting filters they cut straps for the masks and sewing. When the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised their early recommendations and encouraged the wearing of masks even more help was needed. Dolter found an estimated thirty local residents willing to sew the masks in their homes and return them to his business. First priority for masks was given to fire departments and nursing homes. Individuals could pick up masks at Dubuque Mattress Company for free with the option of donating funds if they wished. (38)
As individual federal relief checks began being mailed around April 11th, more than a dozen eastern Iowa businesses received the initial grant funding to help them financially. The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded a maximum of $25,000 per recipient. The Iowa Small Business Relief Program offered financial assistance to offset revenue lost due to closures or declines in business. Primary consideration was given to those industries who had to close earliest. Four rounds of grant recipients were announced during the week ending on April 12th. A second pool of grant funding would soon be available however recipients would be chosen fro earlier applications and no new applications were being accepted. A total of 14,000 businesses applied seeking a total of $148 million, however, the state only had $24 million available. (39)
The sudden influx of at-home workers and students placed tremendous pressure on internet providers. At work, employees communicated over either able or a private circuit. The questions became how much spare capacity did the circuit have and did employees at home have the needed bandwidth and speeds to support their work. Estimates of the number of people likely to have problems were as high as 20%. In reality, it was found that only a small number of people were negatively affected. These people usually lived in remote, rural areas which was expected. An estimated 22% of rural residents in Iowa lacked access to high-speed internet. Efforts to reduce this in Iowa included $1.3 million awarded in 2018 to reduce or eliminate areas in the state unserved or underserved by broadband service. This funding increased to $5 million in 2019. (40)
City officials in Dubuque acelerated broadband access with fiber to homes and businesses. Using agreements with providers, city conduit was used to reach new customers at a lower cost. Between 2017 and 2020, the city quadrupled the amount of active fiber for broadband. From 2015 to 2020, the city went from two legacy carriers and one wireless carrier to ten active carriers. (41)
Installing fiber networks into urban and rocky areas was very expensive. An agreement between the city and the Wisconsin Independent Network LLC in 2017 allowed city conduit to be used to extend fiber optics from the JULIEN DUBUQUE BRIDGE to near UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital. Through the agreement, 100-megabit speeds--five times faster than the city was receiving were available along with the ability to double the bandwidth every three years. Federal block grants were being considered to accelerate broadband access to low-income households with students. The use of "hotspots" would allow students to 'take the internet home with them.' Mediacom opened 19 hotspots for public use near the PORT OF DUBUQUE and sites downtown for free of sixty days beginning on March 16th. Mediacom offered free 60-day service to low-income families with students in K-12 who were eligible for free- or reduced-price lunches who signed up and connected by May 15. The installation of community Wi-Fi would give students several choices for public access. (42)
On April 12, 2020 officials of DUBUQUE INITIATIVES announced that the nonprofit would make up to $2 million available for small businesses affected by the virus. "Bridge financing" of up to $10,000 would be available per business that employed fifty or fewer workers. Qualifying businesses would be referred to the East Central Intergovernmental Association which would assist them in the application process. The funding would assist companies which had been approve for other governmental funding to weather the time between the acceptance of their application and the actual receipt of funds. (43)
On April 11, 2020 there were 1,510 confirmed cases of the virus in Iowa with 32 in Dubuque County. (44)
Testing individuals for the COVID-19 virus was in the news on April 14th. A committee including representatives of each Dubuque County hospital and clinic together with public health, city and state officials began meeting as a committee on March 16 to develop a plan if an expected surge in cases exceeded local capacity to test people. Sites were developed all over the county in various ways. The committee chose a Dubuque parking garage for a local site if the service was needed.
The testing had strict guidelines. An individual would need to call a health care provider who would determine if testing was appropriate. The site would only be opened in the event of a surge so that hospitals and clinics could avoid exposure to other patients at clinics and emergency rooms. The site could be up and running in 72 hours. To increase the likelihood that a surge could be predicted ahead of that, health care providers were developing a reporting system (see: DUBUQUE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION. (45)
Reporting on the pandemic was the subject of an editorial on April 14th. Amy GILLIGAN, executive editor, reported that use of the TH website had soared from 177,361 in February to 522,206 users in March. Article views nearly doubled, exceeding two million for the first time. In addition, the core group of eight news reporters plus an additional half-dozen other writers wrote more than 600 local stories. To facilitate getting the news to its readers, the TH officials decided to place any story dealing with public health, safety, security and supply chain as well as cancellations and closures in the front of the paper, before the paid section, for everyone to read.
Getting the news to the public, despite recurrent rumors circulated in social media, that most people were really not at risk, came at a huge cost. Subscriptions did not pay the cost of publishing the paper. With businesses closed down, advertising dried up leading to staff reductions, permanent pay cuts, and possible failures of some papers. Gannett, publisher of the Des Moines Register, suspended its dividend and required those making at least $38,000 annually to take an unpaid furlough for a week in April, May and June. (46)
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Source:
1. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response: A WHO Guidance Document, Geneva: World Health Organization, 2009, p. 13
2. Personal observations of the author
3. Hinga, Allie, "Pandemic Impacts Spread Locally," Telegraph Herald, March 14, 2020, p. 1A
4. Des Moines Register, "Reynolds: All Iowa Schools Should Close," Telegraph Herald, March 16, 2020, p. 1A
5. Walsh, Nick Paton, "U.S., UK Coronavirus Strategies Shifted Following UK Epidemiologists Ominous Report," CNN, March 17, 2020
6. Garret, Laurie, "Trump Has Sabotaged America’s Coronavirus Response," Voice, January 31, 2020, Online: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/31/coronavirus-china-trump-united-states-public-health-emergency-response/
7. Hassan, Carma, "Vermont is Changing the Way it Reports Cases," CNN, March 17, 2020
8. Des Moines Register
9. Barton, Thomas J. "Iowa Adds Restrictions," Telegraph Herald, March 18, 2020, p. 1A
10. Kruse, John, "Dubuque Archdiocese: No Masses Starting Thursday," Telegraph Herald, March 17, 2020, p. 3A
11. Carnegie-Stout Public Library website "FAQ"
12. Montgomery, Jeff, "Local Companies Get Serious About Remote Working," Telegraph Herald, March 18, 2020, p. 1A
13. Barton, Thomas J., "Commission Seeks Virus Funds," Telegraph Herald, March 20, 2020, p. 1A
14. KWWL News
15. Hinga, Allie, "School Keeping Children Fed," Telegraph Herald, March 24, 2020, p. 2A
16. Ibid. p. 1A
17. Mehl, Annie, "Hospitals Stop Accepting Handmade Masks as Donors Continue to Sew," Telegraph Herald, March 24, 2020, p. 3A
18. Hogstrom, Erik, "Possibly 200 Local Virus Cases," Telegraph Herald, March 23, 2020.
19. Barton, Thomas and Benjamin Fisher, "Buol Mulls Shelter in Place," Telegraph Herald, March 26, 2020, p. 1
20. Goldstein, Bennet, "Social Distancing Has Complications for Mental Health," Telegraph Herald, March 26, 2020, p. 1
21. Montgomery, Jeff, "Help Line Available for Small Business," Telegraph Herald, March 26, 2020, p. 3A
22. Barton, Thomas J., "City Budget Could Take $2.5 Million Hit," Telegraph Herald, March 27, 2020, p. 1A
23. Montgomery, Jeff, "Area Businesses Overcoming Disruptions in Demand, Supply," Telegraph Herald, March 27, 2020, p. 1A
24. Personal observations
25. Fisher, Benjamin, "Would Local Hospitals Have Enough Beds?" Telegraph Herald, March 28, 2020, p. 1A
26. Hinga, Allie, "Unprecedented, Improbable End for Area Students," Telegraph Herald, March 29, 2020, p. 1A
27. Hinga, Allie, "Offiials Try to Boost Census Participation," Telegraph Herald, March 29, 2020, p. 7A
28. Fisher, Benjamin, "Local Health Leaders Expect Virus Cases to Peak in Two Weeks," Telegraph Herald, March 31, 2020, p. 1A
29. Montgomery, Jeff, "John Deere Implements Temporary Shutdown," Telegraph Herald, March 31, 2020, p. 1A
30. Goldstein, Bennet, "Shelters Work Doggedly to Find Homes for Animals," Telegraph Herald, March 31, 2020, p. 1A
31. Barton, Thomas J. "Jails Work to Lower Inmate Counts," Telegraph Herald, April 2, 2020, p. 1A
32. Montgomery, Jeff, "U. S. Downturn Lands at Dubuque Airport," Telegraph Herald, April 4, 2020, p. 1A
33. Hinga, Allie, "Local Districts Mull Online Learning Options During Iowa's Extended School Shutdown," Telegraph Herald, April 4, 2020, p. 1A
34. "City of Dubuque to Receive $650,000 Via Program Linked to Stimulus Bill," Telegraph Herald, April 4, 2020, p. 3A
35. "Dubuque Manufacturer Flexsteel Industries Lays Off 40 Employees for 3 Months," Telegraph Herald , April 4, 2020, p. 3A
36. "New COVID-19 Cases Announced Saturday," Telegraph Herald, April 5, 2020, p. 2A
37. Fisher, Benjamin, "Local Nurse Group Drives COVID-19 Tracing," Telegraph Herald, April 5, 2020, p. 3A
38. Montgomery, Jeff, "Team Covering Mask Needs," Telegraph Herald, April 9, 2020, p. 1A
39. Mehl, Annie, "Iowa Grants Give Relief to Businesses," Telegraph Herald, April 11, 2020, p. 1A
40. Barton, Thomas J., "Up to the Challenge," Telegraph Herald, April 12, 2020, p. 1A
41. Ibid., p. 5A
42. Ibid.
43. Montgomery, Jeff, "Group to Provide $2M in Emergency Funding," Telegraph Herald, April 12, 2020, p. 7A
44. "Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by County," Telegraph Herald, April 12, 2020, p. 3A
45. Fisher, Benjamin, "Local Satellite Virus Testing Site Picked," Telegraph Herald, April 14, 2020, p. 1A
46. Gilligan, Amy, "Documenting History Through Trying Times," Telegraph Herald, April 14, 2020, p. 4A
