Community News Stories

New State of Iowa COVID-19 Website
https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/

Rumor Control

Medicare Fraud

• Iowans can contact Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol for information about scams and to report Fraud. Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol is housed in the Iowa Insurance Division. https://shiip.iowa.gov/smp/

Fake Test Kits and Cures

• Iowans should look to official sources for information on testing and medications currently available for COVID-19. If it sounds too good to be true it most likely is.
• The FDA has information on test kit fraud and vaccine and treatment development.  Kits: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-alerts-consumers-about-unauthorized-fraudulent-covid-19-test-kits Overall Website: https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

FEMA Website

FEMA R7 public affairs staff made us aware of a rumor control page being done by their HQ. Here’s a link https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control

FEMA also provides other great resources like fact sheets: https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus

SPANISH: https://www.fema.gov/es/coronavirus

Federal Coronavirus Site: https://www.coronavirus.gov/

Other Websites

The CDC also addresses this on their site: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/share-facts.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fshare-facts.html

Medicare Scams and Fraud information: https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus

FDA Fraudulent COVID-19 kits Information:  https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-alerts-consumers-about-unauthorized-fraudulent-covid-19-test-kits

Governor Reynolds Announces COVID-19 Iowa Small Business Relief Program
Financial Assistance and Tax Deferral Now Available to Eligible Small Businesses
Impacted by COVID-19
March 23, 2020 (DES MOINES) – Governor Reynolds today announced the launch of a
new Iowa Small Business Relief Program that will provide financial assistance to small
businesses that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The
program offers eligible small businesses grants ranging from $5,000-$25,000 in
addition to offering Iowa businesses a deferral of sales and use or withholding taxes
due and waiver of penalty and interest.
“Small businesses are the source of thriving main streets and community pride across
Iowa,” said Gov. Reynolds. “The Small Business Relief Grant Program is another way
we can support our small businesses during this unprecedented time.”
Iowa Small Business Relief Program Grant:
2
To be eligible for a small business relief grant, eligible businesses must:
 Be experiencing business disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic
 Have employed between 2-25 people prior to March 17, 2020
The Small Business Relief Grants will assist eligible businesses in maintaining
operations or reopening business following the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may
not be used to pay debts incurred prior to March 17, 2020.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority will review grant applications for eligibility
and will determine the grant amount by the level of impact including loss in sales
revenue and employees. Notification of award decisions and disbursement of grant
funds will be expedited.
Tax Assistance:
The Iowa Department of Revenue will review each application as applicable, to
determine if it is appropriate to grant a deferral of the eligible taxes and waiver of
penalty and interest.
The dual application for grant assistance and tax deferral is available at
iowabusinessrecovery.com. The deadline for applications is March 31 at 12:00 p.m.
(noon). The program may be restricted due to funding availability

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our staff and volunteers, and with respect to the recommendations from our government and public health officials as they relate to COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to suspend Hope In Bloom – Daffodils campaign to benefit the American Cancer Society delivery on April 1st. For those who have made a donation to the American Cancer Society in the hope of receiving or having flowers delivered, we regret the current circumstances that are prohibiting us from delivering the flowers. Please know your donation comes at a critical time when our mission to help those touched by cancer is in great need. Please also note that we have honored our agreement with our suppliers and – even though we will not be receiving the flowers – we have paid for what has been ordered.

The health and safety of our volunteers, staff, and the cancer patients who rely on us, is our top priority. And we know the needs of people facing cancer will continue – and our mission of attacking cancer from every angle is critical. We cannot allow an innovative research grant to go unfunded – it could be the next big breakthrough. We cannot miss a phone call or a chat from a cancer patient with a question – we could be the only ear he or she has to turn to. Your donation to Daffodil Days is helping to ensure we are here today for those facing cancer and will be here tomorrow for anyone who is facing a cancer diagnosis. While we hope you will enable us to use your donation to forward our mission in the community, we will arrange to redirect or refund based on your desire, please contact Rhonda Schnitzler at 563.419.2133 for arrangements.

Where we can, we’re continuing our services to get patients the care and support they need. Because cancer doesn’t stop. So neither do we. Visit cancer.org or call 800.227.2345.

The SBA’s Iowa District Office will host two Webinars this week to give an overview of assistance available to Iowa small businesses through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

The webinars will discuss loan program details, eligibility, application requirements as well as where and how to submit a loan application. There will also be information on counseling assistance available from SBA Resource Partners (Iowa Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Women and Business Center and Veterans Business Outreach Center).

Two options are currently available:
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
Join at https://meet.lync.com/sba123/tdlentel/FV4ZWJJY
There will be a visual presentation.
You can join by audio only at (202) 765-1264 using ID# 118151981#

Thursday, March 26, 2020| 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
Join at https://meet.lync.com/sba123/tdlentel/FKK1FR1Y
There will be a visual presentation.
You can join by audio only at (202) 765-1264 using ID# 480330157#

Gundersen suspends all hospital and clinic visitors

Gundersen Health System understands the importance of engaging families as part of the healing process. However, to protect our patients, staff and community during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are restricting all visitors to our Hospitals, Emergency Services and Clinics until further notice.

Our policy is in line with other state and national guidelines to limit gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Anyone dropping off and picking up patients should wait outside unless they need support in communicating.

There will still be exceptions for end-of-life, interpreter/communication needs, surgery, Labor and Delivery, emergency room and pediatric patients.

Visitor restrictions are temporary and may change as Gundersen monitors the COVID-19 situation locally, regionally and nationally.

Isolation Guidance for Iowans
Updated 03/22/2020
COVID-19 is circulating in Iowa communities and many more Iowans are likely to become ill in the coming
weeks. This guidance describes isolation recommendations for well Iowans with potential COVID-19 exposure
and Iowans who are ill with fever or respiratory symptoms (like cough or difficulty breathing).
Isolation recommendations for well Iowans with potential COVID-19 exposure
Iowans should stay at home and isolate themselves from other people and animals in the home in the
following situations. Isolation should be in place for 14 days after the last exposure.
 Traveled outside of Iowa for business or vacation in the last 14 days.
 Taken a cruise anywhere in the world in the last 14 days.
 Traveled internationally to a country with a level 3 travel warning in the last 14 days.
 Live with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19.
Isolation recommendations for Iowans ill with fever or respiratory symptoms (like cough or difficulty
breathing)
Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19, will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most
mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19.
Sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house.
Stay home and isolate from others in the house until:
 You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of
medicine that reduces fevers)
AND
 other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND
 at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.
If you think you may need healthcare, call first. Your provider can assess whether you need to be seen in the
office or if you can recover at home. Also, there may be options for you to talk to a medical provider from
home using technology.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: David Lester, General Manager, Oneota Community Food Co-op
563-382-4666, gm@oneotacoop.com
Oneota Community Co-op Expands Services to Phone and Online Ordering Providing Safe Food
Delivery for Customers and Staff
DECORAH, IOWA 3/20/2020
The Oneota Community Co-op (OCC) in Decorah, Iowa has taken extraordinary measures to keep
customers and staff safe and provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. On
Tuesday, March 17, OCC transitioned from its conventional business model to providing storefront
delivered orders only. Customer shopping is currently done by shopping exclusively online and over the
phone.
“This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make in my life,” said David Lester, General
Manager of the member-owned cooperative grocery store in northeast Iowa. “It was clear to our team
that we needed to enact creative measures to balance the needs of combating this virus and the needs
of our staff and community,” Lester said.
Previously, the store did not have an online presence to sell groceries. Lester and his management team
organized a pandemic response plan in early March as news of the scope of Covid-19 became clearer to
the general public. With OCC’s pandemic response plan in place, and within five days work, the store’s IT
Coordinator, Theresa Kleve, and Marketing & Outreach Manager, Nate Furler, created an online
ordering system through Shopify with over 6,000 available items. Customers in the Decorah area can
place an online or phone order that can be picked up storefront, or delivered through another service.
“The overwhelming response from our community keeps us moving forward. We are refining our
procedures daily in case this is a long-term situation,” said Furler. He added, “the cooperative phrase
‘Stronger Together’ really takes on more meaning these days.
About Oneota Community Food Co-op
Located in downtown Decorah, Oneota Community Food Co-op is a cooperatively-owned grocery store
specializing in local, organic, and sustainably produced products since 1974. For over four decades, the
Co-op has been the leading provider of whole foods at a reasonable cost, with an emphasis on organic,
local and bulk foods. The Oneota Community Food Co-op was named the 2020 Outstanding Single Store
by Progressive Grocer. Located at 312 West Water Street in Decorah, or online at
www.oneotacoop.com.

Decorah, IA—As of Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Hometown Taxi will be open for delivery services and essential medical rides only, due to COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Hours will be Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Delivery cost within Decorah is $5 and from Wal-Mart is $6. Discounts for seniors and people with disabilities still apply. Call 563-382-3155 for services, and check Facebook or hometowntaxidecorah.com for possible changes in delivery open hours.

“Since the fall of 1987, Hometown Taxi has been open every week in every type weather to serve our community with safe and friendly transportation to work, to medical appointments, to grocery stores, and to social events,” Scot Idstrom, Hometown Taxi partner said. “It’s terribly difficult for us to have to reduce our services at this time, but it’s the responsible thing to do to keep our riders and the rest of the community safe,” he continued.

“We wish our community of riders well and want to continue supporting them with this delivery service. We hope to resume our regular schedule sometime in the near future,” Idstrom said.

Hometown Taxi is a partnership owned and operated by Scot Idstrom, Ian Miller, Heidi Olstad, Ketel Paulsen, Eric Paulson, Daniel Rotto, Eric VanVliet, and Craig Witt.