(Des Moines)– Governor Kim Reynolds today (Wed.) talked about additional plans being made for distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Iowa, including a new vaccine informational tool that will be made available on the state’s website.
Kelly Garcia, acting Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, said the state’s Infectious Disease Advisory Council, or IDAC, has met twice to prioritize who will be among the first to get the vaccinations. Healthcare workers in several areas of the state have begun receiving the vaccine, with nursing home staff and residents to start getting it in coming days. Garcia says IDAC will be meeting next week to decide on the next priority group, which she says will likely includes those involved in critical infrastructure…
“Which includes those who work in other congregate settings like schools, food supply, corrections. You can see these are very difficult decisions. Again this next prioritization will be focused on work settings and I’m tremendously thankful to our IDAC members for taking these conversations head on, speaking freely, bringing their expertise to the decision making process because these decisions cannot be made lightly or easily.”
On another note, Governor Reynolds announced today (Wed.) a continuation of her proclamation of disaster emergency with some revisions…
“Bars and restaurants can resume their normal hours of operations but patrons must still be seated when eating or drinking, limited to eight per group or household, distanced six feet from other groups, and masks are required when individuals are not seated. Spectators at high school, youth, or adult sporting, recreation, or extra curricular events will be slightly expanded to include the member of a participant’s household. Gathering limitations will be lifted but six feet of distance between groups or individuals in attendance is required.”
The revised proclamation goes into effect at 12:01 am tomorrow (Thurs.) and will continue through January 8th.
The Governor also said she will be getting the vaccine, but not until after some of the high priority groups have received it first.
