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COVID-19 in Iowa: Gov. Reynolds's office confirms 64 new cases, bringing total to 298 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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THIS IS BREAKING NEWS FROM KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN IN KETV.COM. GOOD AFTERNOON. I’M JULIE CORNELL, IOWA. GOVERNOR. KIM REYNOLDS IS JUST STARTING A NEWS CONFERENCE ON THE CORONA VIRUS THREAT WHEN I TAKE YOU TO THE IOWA EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER IN JOHNSTON, IOWA. FOR GRANTED SENDING OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL HEADING TO WORK FLYING SOMEWHERE WARM FOR SPRING BREAK GOING OUT FOR DINNER WITH YOUR SPOUSE AT THE LOCAL RESTAURANT AND PICKING UP GROCERIES AT THE STORE ALL SUCH SIMPLE THINGS THAT ARE PART OF OUR EVERYDAY ROUTINES, BUT NEWS OF RAPIDLY SPREADING NEW VIRUS HALF OF HALF A WORLD AWAY CHANGE THAT AND IT CHANGED IT QUICKLY COVET 19 IS UNLIKE ANYTHING WE’VE SEEN BEFORE THE POTENTIAL THAT IT BRINGS FOR LOSS OF LIFE AND ITS ABILITY TO RED QUICKLY AND OVERWHELM OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MEANS WE NEEDED TO ACT QUICKLY AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO SLOW ITS SPREAD AND PROTECT OUR PEOPLE. IN IOWA, THAT’S WHAT WE’VE DONE. WE’VE TEMPORARILY CLOSED OUR SCHOOLS AND DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTER EMERGENCY, WHICH MEANS BARS RESTAURANTS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES WHERE LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE CONGREGATE ARE CLOSED. IT MEANS OUR EVERYDAY ROUTINES NEED TO CHANGE TO KEEP OUR DISTANCE FROM OTHER PEOPLE ALL IN THE NAME OF SLOWING THE SPREAD OF COVET 19 ALL OF THE NECESSARY ACTIONS. WE’VE TAKEN AT THE STATE LEVEL HAVE SOME HAVE HAVE COME WITH CONSEQUENCES FOR MAKING THEM SOME OF THE TOUGHEST DECISIONS THAT I’VE MADE AS YOUR GOVERNOR. IOWA SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. I HEAR YOU. YOU ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY AND WE STAND READY TO PROVIDE YOU THE SUPPORT. YOU NEED TO KEEP OUR STATE OPEN FOR BUSINESS. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHOS JOBS ARE IMPACTED BY COVET 19 AND FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS. WE ARE WAIVING UNEMPLOYMENT CHARGES SO THAT THEIR TAXES ARE NOT AFFECTED. WE’RE EXTENDING FILING DEADLINES FOR SEVERAL STATE TAX TYPES, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXES TO JULY 31ST AND WORKING WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS ON ADDITIONAL SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF. YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUR PART TO KEEP BUSINESS IN IOWA MOVING FORWARD. MORE THAT WE DO NOW TO STOP THE SPREAD THE SOONER WE’LL GET THROUGH THIS AND THE SOONER. WE’LL GET OUR LIVES BACK TO NORMAL, BUT IT IS GOING TO TAKE EVERY IOWAN TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION. WE’VE ALREADY SEEN IT HAPPENING ALL ACROSS OUR STATE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES ARE MAKING SURE KIDS FAMILIES AND SENIORS HAVE FOOD CHURCHES ARE FINDING WAYS TO WORSHIP WORSHIP THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ON SUNDAY RESTAURANTS ARE INNOVATING TO DEVELOP NEW WAYS FOR DELIVERY. CARRY OUT AND SUBSCRIBE. IN SERVICE TO ENSURE THEIR WORKERS STILL HAVE A JOB TO COME TO EACH DAY GROCERY STORES ARE OPENING AN HOUR EARLY JUST FOR SENIORS TO COME IN AND SHOP SCHOOLS AT ALL LEVELS ARE EXPANDING THEIR DISTANT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS FROM FOOD BANKS TO ORDERING TAKEOUT FROM THE LOCAL RESTAURANT FOR DINNER TO A BUSINESS OWNER PUTTING HER WORKERS FIRST. WE’RE SEEING THE BEST OF IOWA STEPPING UP IOWANS UNDERSTAND THAT WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER AND ALTHOUGH I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE DAYS AHEAD. BEHOLD AND WHEN LIFE WILL RETURN TO NORMAL, I DO KNOW THAT THERE IS NO STATE AND KNOW PEOPLE BETTER PREPARED TO WEATHER THE STORM THAN IOWA. SO WITH THAT I’D LIKE TO ASK, DR. BHATTI TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ABOUT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE. THANK YOU GOVERNOR. I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK AGAIN ABOUT TESTING AND ALSO ABOUT WHAT WE’RE ASKING EVERY IOWAN TO DO SO WE CONTINUE TO HEAR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS AND UNDERSTANDABLY. SO ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE NEED TO BE TESTED FOR THIS VIRUS, AND I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT NOT EVERYBODY DOES NEED TO BE TESTED AND IN FACT MANY OF US PROBABLY WILL NEVER NEED TO BE TED THAT’S IN PART BECAUSE MOST OF US ABOUT 80% WOULD EXPERIENCE ONLY A VERY MILD KIND OF ILLNESS SIMILAR TO A COLD OR FLU TYPE ILLNESS AND SO FOR MOST OF US WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS STAY HOME DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS GET PLENTY OF REST. STAY AWAY FROM OTHERS COVER OUR COUGH AND WASH OUR HANDS. THERE’S NOT A SPECIFI MEDICINE OR VACCINE FOR COVET 19 AT THIS TIME. SO FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WE’RE GOING TO HAVE MILD ILLNESS. WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU ACTUALLY STAY HOME AND RECOVER AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. THAT’S ALSO GOING TO MEAN STAYING HOME FOR AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS FROM THE FIRST DAY THAT YOUR SYMPTOMS START AND WE’LL WANT YOU TO STAY HOME FOR AT LEAST THREE DAYS WHERE YOUR SYMPTOMS HAVE IMPROVED A YOU’VE HAD NO FEVER AGAIN BECAUSE THERE’S NOT A SPECIFIC MEDICINE OR VACCINE THOSE OTHER MEASURES THOSE SIMPLE MEASURES OF TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AT HOME. RESTING DRINKING FLUIDS ARE REALLY WHAT MOST OF US ARE GOING TO DO FOR MILD ILLNESS NOW, THERE ARE SOME SUBSET OF THE POPULATION WHO ARE GOING TO BE MORE SEVERELY AFFECTED AND WE’VE SEEN THAT BE ARE OLDER POPULATIONS AND POPULATIONS WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS. AND SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT DOING A TEST IN MEDICINE FOR ANY REASON FOR ANYBODY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE DOING A TEST BECAUSE WE’RE GOING TO TAKE SOME KIND OF ACTION OR DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH THAT INFORMATION. THAT’S TRUE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE’RE TALKING. THING ABOUT COVERT 19 OR ANYTHING ELSE. SO PARTICULARLY FOR ARE HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS. WE WANT TO TEST THOSE PEOPLE BECAUSE IT HELPS THE DOCTORS UNDERSTAND HOW TO CARE FOR THESE PATIENTS AND WHAT TO EXPECT AS THEY CARE FOR THEM. IT ALSO HELPS THEM KNOW WHAT KIND OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT THINGS LIKE GLOVES AND MASKS AND GOWNS THAT NEED TO BE USED BY HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO TO PROTECT OTHER PATIENTS AND THA USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. IS ALSO AGAIN WHY WE WOULDN’T NECESSARILY WANT EVERYBODY TO COME AND GET TESTED IF THEY DON’T NEED IT BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE LOOKING THOUGHTFUL USE OF OUR HEALTH CARE RESOURCES. WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE AGAIN THAT I WAS OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE USING THOSE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT RESOURCES. IT’S BOTH TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND TO PROTECT OTHER PATIENTS AND THINKING ABOUT TESTING INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK IN THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE OR IN OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES WHERE THEY WOULD INTERACT AND SERVE IOWANS. THAT’S ANOTHER GROUP THAT WE’RE GOING TO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EVALUATE BECAUSE IT MIGHT CHANGE SOME OF THE ACTIONS OR THINGS THAT THEY WOULD DO. I THINK IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU WERE TO GET A TEST IF YOU WERE MILDLY ILL AND IT WAS NEGATIVE. IT WOULDN’T MEAN THAT YOU COULDN’T POTENTIALLY THEN GET EXPOSED LATER AND BECOME A LAND. SO AGAIN, WE DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THAT A SPECIFIC TEST RESULT IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO TAKE AN ACTION IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE REQUIRED. WE’RE GOING TO WANT YOU TO WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO COME UP WITH A CARE PLAN. THAT’S MOST APPROPRIATE FOR YOU AND AGAIN FOR MOST OF US THAT’S REALLY GOING TO MEAN IF WE HAVE MILD ILLNESS OF ANY AND WE’RE GOING TO WANT TO STAY HOME GET PLENTY OF FLUIDS PLENTY OF REST WASH OUR HANDS AND RECOVER THEIR I DID ALSO WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT TRAVEL NOW, CERTAINLY ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN ON ANY KIND OF SPRING BREAK TRIP WHETHER YOU’VE BEEN HANGING OUT LOCALLY OR GOING ANYWHERE ELSE. THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD KEEP IN MIND IF YOU VISITED ONE OF THE AREAS THAT CDC. HE HAS A LEVEL THREE TRAVEL HEALTH NOTICE 4, SO THAT’S GOING TO INCLUDE PLACES LIKE IRAN CHINA. MOST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THE UK AND IRELAND. THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD BE SELF ISOLATING AT HOME FOR 14 DAYS WHEN THEY RETURN NOW IN ADDITION TO THAT ANYBODY WHO’S TRAVELED OR YOU KNOW HAS BEEN IN OTHER COMMUNITIES AT THIS POINT. WE KNOW THAT COVET 19 IS SPREADING IN A LOT OF COMMUNITIES AND SO THE ADVICE THAT WE’RE GIVING TO EVERYBODY FO THE MOST PART NOW IS REALLY THE AND IT REALLY TRULY COMES BACK TO KEEPING AN EYE ON YOUR SYMPTOMS STAYING AWAY FROM OTHERS USING THOSE SOCIAL DISTANCING TECHNIQUES, AND IF YOU BECOME ILL IT’S JUST SO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO STAY HOME AND RECOVER AT HOME IF YOU HAVE MILD ILLNESS, I WANT TO SAY AGAIN THAT I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN A VERY RAPIDLY CHANGING AND DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR ALL OF US, BUT I’D LIKE TO ECHO THE GOVERNOR AND SAYING THAT THIS IS REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US ALL IOWANS TO THESE MEASURES AND TAKE THESE STEPS AND THESE ARE GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO GOING FORWARD TO HELP ENSURE THAT WE ALL STAY AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. I’LL GIVE A QUICK UPDATE ON THE CASES TO DATE AND THEN WE’LL OPEN IT UP FOR QUESTIONS SO THROUGH. THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE 44 CASES POSITIVE FOR 40 WERE IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE STATE HYGIENIC LAB FOR THROUGH THE NATIONAL LABS. THIS IS 642 NEGATIVE CASES AGAIN THROUGH THE STATE HYGIENIC LAB. WE’RE NOT AT THIS POINT ABLE TO TRACK NEGATIVE CASES THROUGH THE NATIONAL LABS. WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN 13 COUNTIES THAT WERE THE POSITIVE CASES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND WE WILL HAVE A MAP AND WITH MORE INFORMATION. MISSION AND THE CASES UP ON THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WEBSITE GOING FORWARD THE STATE STATE HYGIENIC LAB IS NOW RUNNING THREE SHIFTS IN TESTING. SO IT’S EXPANDED OUR CAPABILITY TO TEST BY QUITE A BIT. WHICH ALSO MEANS WE’RE GOING TO PROBABLY SEE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE TEST IS POSITIVE CASES THAT WILL BE RECEIVING AND WITH THAT. WE’LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN IT UP FOR QUESTIONS. HOSPITALS TO I INVOLVE THE NATIONAL GUARD IS NOT RIGHT NOW INVOLVED IN THAT AND I THINK IT’S A PARTNERSHIP. I THINK WHEN WE’VE BEEN ON A CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS ALL ACROSS THE STATE. THEY NOW THROUGH THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION. EXCUSE ME. YEAH PRODUCTION ACT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH FEMA AND KIND OF CHANNELING THE ORDERS, BUT THEY’VE ENCOURAGED EVERY GOVERNOR AND EVERY STATE TO UTILIZE THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL. DR. BUDETTI. DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING? I WOULD JUST SAID AS THE GOVERNOR SAID YES, WE DO WORK WITH HOSPITALS PUBLIC HEALTH AND OUR PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. YEAH. SO AGAIN, IT’S SOMETHING THAT WE’VE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS TO HEAR ABOUT IN HERE. YOU KNOW WHAT THEIR SUPPLY NEEDS ARE I THINK THAT WHAT WE RECOGNIZED IS THAT THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT RIGHT? THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IS THAT THERE’S A LOT OF NEAT AROUND THESE SUPPLIES AND SO WE’VE HELPED OUR PARTNERS BE FORWARD THINKING AND THINKING ABOUT WAYS TO MAKE PRUDENT USE OF THE SUPPLIES THAT WE HAVE THINKING ABOUT WAYS TO PROVIDE A SUPPLEMENTS WHEN WE CAN AND JUST WANTING TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE USE OUR OF OUR HEALTHCARE RESOURCES I THINK RIGHT NOW WE’RE ANY WE’RE DOING THAT THROUGH THE MEASURES WORKING WITH ME. YEAH, I THINK AGAIN WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT IS IS MAKING SURE THAT WE’RE HELPING HEALTHCARE FACILITIES UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, THE BEST WAYS TO USE THE SUPPLIES THEY HAVE AND AGAIN ALSO TRYING TO SHARE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE’S UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THOSE SUPPLIES ARE USED WHY THEY’RE IMPORTANT AND HOW IT RELATES TO WHAT EACH IOWAN CAN DO TO HELP TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES AND AND K. WE JUST CONTINUE TO ASSESS THAT EVERY DAY WHETHER WE LOOK, ELECTIVE SURGERIES. WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO REALLY PROVIDE A STRATEGY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE PPE PPE EQUIPMENT THAT OUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS NEED AND SO THAT’S A PART OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE EVERY SINGLE DAY WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS. NOT ONLY THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE’RE CONTINUING TO CONDUCT NUMBERS AND RESOURCES. SO WE HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND JUST OTHER AREAS WHERE WE CAN BACKFILL WITH SOME OF THE PPE AS WELL AND IN ADDITION TO THAT. KING WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS AND FROM A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE AS WELL. SO I MEAN IT IS ALL HANDS ON DECK RIGHT NOW AND WE’RE LOOKING AT EVERY POSSIBLE ASPECT AND TAKING MEASURES AGAIN TO SPREAD THIS OUT TO NOT SEE A SEARCH SO THAT WE DON’T HAVE A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. THAT IS PUT AT RISK IN ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE’RE DOING ALLOWS US TO DO THAT AND THE MORE THAT WE CAN SPREAD THAT OUT. ALLOWS US TO IDENTIFY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND JULIE THAT CAN STEP UP AND ALSO PLAY A ROLE IN HELPING US PROVIDE THIS EQUIPMENT. DUMAS ON IS ALREADY ASKING FOR DONATIONS OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT HOSPITALS ARE READY POSTPONING ELECTED CERTAIN ELECTIVE SURGERIES AND WARNING THEM THOSE SHORTAGES. WHAT IS THE STATE SPECIFICALLY DOING TO BACKFILL? WHAT KIND OF WHAT ARE YOU ALL TALKING TO ALL OF THE ABOVE? I MEAN, WE’VE GOT THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE WE HAVE AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS REACHING OUT TO BUSINESSES WERE TRYING TO THIN OF THE BOX. WE’RE TRYING TO SEE WHICH WERE PUTTING ORDERS IN FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR WORKING WITH EACH ONE OF THE HOSPITALS WERE WORKING WITH OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS. DO YOU HAVE NO I WOULD JUST SAY THE EXACT REASON WHY WE ASKED THOSE THINGS IS BECAUSE WE’RE TRYING TO ANTICIPATE AND AVOID BEING IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE WOULD BE CHALLENGES AND SO, YOU KNOW THE ITEMS YOU’VE MENTIONED AND THAT THE MESSAGES THAT WE SHARE NOW ARE ALL EFFORTS TO BE FORWARD THINKING AGAIN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE MAKING THE MOST THOUGHTFUL THOUGHTFUL USE OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE. DOES THAT INCLUDE MONITORING ON A DAILY BASIS IT IS IT’S A CONCERN OF EVERY SINGLE GOVERNOR ACROSS THIS COUNTRY THE THE AMOUNT OF PPE THAT WE HAVE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE PROTECTED AS THEY’RE TAKING CARE OF IOWANS AND AMERICANS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. AND SO WE’RE BEING PROACTIVE. WE’RE UNDERSTANDING. WHAT IS THE CURRENT SUPPLY THAT WE HAVE WERE ADDITIONAL. THESE WERE PLACING ORDERS AND BEING PROACTIVE AND ALL OF THAT IS HAPPENING AND IT IS HAPPENING ON THE HOUR. SO I MEAN THE AMOUNT OF COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION THAT WE’RE SEEING. WE HAVE A WEEKLY MEETING WITH ALL OF OUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS SO WE CAN SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT THIS WE’VE GOT WE’RE TRYING TO HAVE ONE SPOT WHERE WE CAN COLLECT THE INFORMATION SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE TRACKING IT ON A REAL-TIME BASIS AS DR. PETIT PETIT JUST SAID SO THAT WE CAN BE PROACTIVE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE DON’T GET AND IN THAT PLACE AND I’M REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT I’VE SEEN COME TOGETHER TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION AND FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN PLACE TO PROTECT THOSE THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF IOWANS. DADDY, DO YOU BELIEVE LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER NATIONAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE SAID THAT YOU A PERSON CAN SHOW NO VISIBLE OR APPARENT SYMPTOMS AND STILL BE A CARRIER FIRST OF ALL. AND IF YOU DO WITH MY HAVING FAR MORE TESTING GOING ON RIGHT NOW SO THAT WE CAN QUARANTINE THESE FOLKS AND SO IS THE IS THE CONCERN THAT WE JUST DON’T OVERWHELM THE HEALTH PROVIDERS BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TESTS. YEAH, SO THE QUESTION OF ASYMPTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PLACE WHERE I THINK WE JUST HAVE MORE TO LEARN ABOUT THIS VIRUS. THIS IS STILL A PRETTY NEW VIRUS, YOU KNOW, IT WAS SOMETHIN THAT WE RECOGNIZE IN DECEMBER OF 2019. IT’S BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. WE’RE LEARNING NEW THINGS. I MEAN WE LEARN NEW THINGS ABOUT VIRUSES WE’VE KNOWN ABOUT FOR YOU KNOW DECADES. SO I THINK THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PLACE WHERE WE’RE STILL LEARNING MORE, BUT ALL THE INDICATIONS THAT WE GET FROM OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS THAT YOU KNOW AT THE CDC ARE THAT PEOPLE ARE MOST CONTAGIOUS WHEN THEY’RE SICK AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT THAT REALLY MAKES SENSE BASED ON WHAT WE’VE SEEN ABOUT HOW PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THIS VIRUS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT WE’ SEEN IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND WHAT WE KNOW ABOU THE OTHER CORONAVIRUS IS AND AGAIN I KNOW THAT THE MEASURES THAT WE’VE BEEN RECOMMENDING SOUND SORT OF SIMPLE, BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW, EVEN IF I WERE TO TOUCH SOMETHING ON A SURFACE RIGHT FROM SOMEBODY IF I WASH MY HANDS THEN WE’VE STOPPED TRANSMISSION RIGHT AND EVEN IF SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW WERE TO BE MILDLY ILL IF I STAY SIX FEET FROM THEM, THERE’S NOT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRANSMISSION, SO I KNOW THAT THOSE THINGS SOUND SORT OF SIMPLISTIC, BUT YOU KNOW AS WE LEARN MORE IT’S IMPORTA IMPORTANT TO DO THOSE THINGS SO THAT WE KIND OF PREVENT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT A VIRUS WOULD HAVE FROM MOVING FROM PERSON TO PERSON. WHAT IS THE CURRENT THRESHOLD AND DOES THAT COME DOWN AS MORE TESTS AND MORE TESTING SITES BECOME AVAILABLE? YEAH, I THINK YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN THAT. WE’VE SORT OF ADJUSTED OUR TESTING APPROACH AND CRITERIA JUST LIKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE OVER TIME AND THERE’S A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT PLAY INTO THAT BUT AGAIN REGARDLESS OF WHAT ILLNESS WERE TALKING ABOUT. WHEN WE DO A TEST IN SOMEBODY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE’RE DOING IT BECAUSE THE RESULT MEANS SOMETHING BECAUSE IT MEANS WE’RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY AND RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THERE’S NOT A MEDICINE OR A VACCINE FOR THIS PARTICULAR VIRUS IF I HAVE A MILD COLD LIKE ILLNESS IF I TEST POSITIVE I GO HOME AND I REST AND I DRINK FLUIDS AND STAY AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE IF I TEST NEGATIVE I GO HOME AND I REST AND I DRINK FLUIDS AND I STAY AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE NOW IF WE COME TO A PLACE WHERE RESOURCES HIS CHANGE IN WHERE YOU KNOW, MAYBE THERE’S A MEDICATION THAT WE MIGHT HAVE AVAILABLE OR WHERE THERE’S AN ACTION THAT’S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT THEN WE MAY ADJUST. ACCORDINGLY AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADJUST IN THIS RESPONSE, YOU KNOW PUBLIC HEALTH CLINICAL MEDICINE EMERGENCY MANAGERS ALL OF US HAVE CONTINUED TO ADJUST AS WE LEARN MORE THINGS AND THAT’S SORT OF WHAT WE’RE GOI TO KEEP ON DOING HAS THE ABILITY TO TEST JUST OVER 400 PATIENTS. THEY’RE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK. THEY’VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH EVERY TEST THAT’S BEEN REFERRED TO THEM BY A CLINICIAN. WE’RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING WITH OUR CLINICIANS WITH OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AND LABORATORY PARTNERS. AND AGAIN, I KNOW THIS SOUNDS OVERLY SIMPLISTIC, BUT IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT THE END OF THE DAY WHAT’S REALLY GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE IS PEOPLE WHO ARE ILL NEED TO STAY HOME. OR IS IT HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO G THAT ONE? I’M SORRY. THERE’S TESTING CAPABILITY AVAILABLE FOR 400 PATIENTS AT THIS POINT AND THOSE NUMBERS KIND OF GO UP AND DOWN RIGHT AS MORE REGIONS ARE ORDERED AND COME IN AND SO, YOU KNOW AT DIFFERENT TIMES THEY’LL BE THOSE NUMBERS WILL CHANGE ACCORDING TO NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TESTED A NUMBER OF REAGENTS THAT GET SENT. WE’RE GOING TO ALSO OPEN UP SOME FROM THE CONFERENCE LINE AS WELL. SO IF THE OPERATOR OF YOU WANT TO START GETTING REPORTERS INTO THE QUEU STATE ESTIMATE ON THE SPREAD OF THE INFECTION. IS THERE AN ESTIMATED SPREAD OF INFECTION? YEAH, THAT’S A GREAT EPIDEMIOLOGIC QUESTION. AND THERE’S A LOT OF EFFORTS THAT GO INTO WAYS TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND IN SOME WAYS KOVAC 19 IS NOT UNIQUE IN THE SENSE OF SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AROUND ESTIMATING POPULATION BURDEN FLU IS SORT OF SIMILAR TO THIS RIGHT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO GET F WHO DON’T EVER ACTUALLY GET A TEST RIGHT AND SO WE HAVE WAYS OF SORT OF MONITORING FOR ILLNESS ACTIVITY, YOU KNOW, WE WORK WITH OTHER STATES. WE WORK WITH OUR NATIONAL PARTNERS TO KIND OF UNDERSTAND THE LEVELS. CERTAINLY WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND CLINICAL PARTNERS. AND AGAIN, IT’S AN EXAMPLE OF A PLACE WHERE OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC APPROACH AND UNDERSTANDING HAS EVOLVED AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLV NO, SO SIMILAR TO FLEW RIGHT? YOU KNOW, THERE’S THERE’S NOT A PARTICULAR NUMBER. WE LOOK AT ACTIVITY LEVELS IS REAL WHAT’S HELPFUL RIGHT NOW AND AGAIN IN SOME WAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, YOU KNOW WHILE WHILE HAVING THOSE EXACT NUMBERS IS HELPFUL WHAT YOU WANT TO THINK THROUGH IS WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH IT? WHAT’S THE ACTION AT THE END OF THE DAY, RIGHT AND THE ULTIMATE PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IS TO KEEP AS MANY PEOPLE HEALTHY AS I THEY CAN AND I KNOW THAT I CAN GET THERE IF WE ENCOURAGE AND REALLY REINFORCE THAT YOU KNOW, EVERYBOD WHO’S ILL STAYS HOME. I MEAN, I JUST WE JUST CANNOT SAY THAT ENOUGH. LET’S SEE IF YOU ARE SICK STAY HOME. AND THAT IS HOW I MEAN THAT IS WHY THE PRESIDENT PUT OUT THE 15-DAY ACTION. WE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWED THE SPREAD AND BEND THE CURB AND REALLY START TO ISOLATE THIS IN A MORE TIME THAT’S THE ACTION THAT I EVERY IOWAN TO TAKE IT IS THAT SIMPLE, DR. BUDETTI HAS SAID IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER IF YOU’RE SICK. STAY HOME IF YOU ARE S SOME SYMPTOMS FEVER COUGH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS. CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN DON’T GO IN THEY WILL WALK THESE ARE EXPERTS. THIS IS THERE THEY WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THEIR DOCTORS THROUGH THE ASSESSMENT. THEY WILL EVALUATE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AND THEY WILL TELL YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO GO OR WHAT NEXT STEPS ARE BUT THAT IS LITERALLY WHAT WE CAN DO SOCIAL DISTANCING, YOU KNOW, THAT’S WHY THESE ARE SOME OF THE TOUGH CALLS THAT WE’VE HAD TO MAKE BUT WE BELIEVE THAT BY MAKING THESE TOUGH CALLS ON THE FRONT END. WE WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF IOWANS IN THE STATE. YOU DETERMINE THE FATALITY RATE IF YOU IF YOU DON’T HAVE MORE TESTS? YEAH AGAIN, I THINK WITH ANYTHING IN EPIDEMIOLOGY, RIGHT? IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW YOU DEFINE YOUR NUMERATOR AND DENOMINATOR AND WHETHER WE’RE TALKING ABOUT KOVAC 19 OR FLU OR ANY ILLNESS. WE ALWAYS KNOW THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN ASSUMPTIONS THAT ARE MADE ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS AND CERTAIN, YOU KNOW PLACES WHERE WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND. YOU KNOW, HOW THE HOW WE GET THE INFORMATION AND WHAT IT MEANS SO, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE NUMBERS THAT A HELPFUL AGAIN. IT’S AN EXAMPLE OF A IS WHERE WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LEARN MORE AND CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO SHARE MORE AND I THINK WHAT’S IMPORTANT IS JUST UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE DO KNOW AND WHAT WE CAN DO AND AGAIN NOT TO BE THE BROKEN RECORD, BUT WE KNOW WE CAN DO IS FOLLOW THE SOCIAL DISTANCING TECHNIQUES WASH OUR HANDS AND STAY HOME WHEN WE’RE SICK. HOW MUCH OF A PRIORITY IS GETTING MORE TESTING BUT WE’RE WORKING ON THAT EVERY DAY AND EVERY DAY THAT CHANGES AS WE’RE BRINGING ON NATIONAL LABS AND WE’RE STANDING UP HOSPITALS AND PROVIDING THEM WITH THE CAPABILITY TO TEST TWO REAGENTS IS THE THING THAT WE HAVE TO MONITOR TO SO THAT’S A PART OF THIS OF THE WHOLE PROCESS, BUT YOU KNOW EVERY DAY THE TEAM AT THE WHITE HOUSE IS WORKING ON THAT THEY’VE TASK THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES WHERE WE CAN YOU KNOW, WHAT WHAT THE REAGENTS LOOK LIKE SO AROUND-THE-CLOCK THEY’RE WORKING ON ALTERNATIVES. TO TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR THAT. IF THERE’S ANYONE ON THE PHONE, OTHERWISE, WE’RE GOING TO WRAP THIS UP. I’M NOT SHOWING ANY QUESTIONS ON THE PHONE AT THIS TIME. YOU GO BACK TO THE GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS. JUST UPDATING THE HEALTH AND SITUATION THERE AND IOWA 44 CASES OF COVE IN NINETEEN THE MAJOR NEWS FROM NEBRASKA STATE GOVERNMENT. TODAY IS THE DIRECTED HEALTH MEASURE. IT EXPANDS RESTRICTIONS ALREADY IN PLACE ACROSS DOUGLAS COUNTY TO RESIDENTS OF SARPY CAST AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES. THERE CAN BE NO PUBLIC GATHERINGS OF MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE AS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW DINING AREAS AND RESTAURANT BE CLOSED ONLY TAKE OUT DELIVERY. THROUGH CURBSIDE PICKUP AND THEN THE LIMITS ALSO APPLY TO CHURCHES JIM’S WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS BUT NOT TO GROCERY AND OTHER RETAIL STORES NOT TO FACTORIES SHOPPING MALLS OR OFFICES CHILDCARE FACILITIES MUST LIMIT KIDS TO 10 PER R