Much of my time has been spent responding to phone calls and emails from local small family businesses and individuals needing help. The best assistance I can give is helping connect people to the appropriate governmental agencies for help. It just breaks my heart how many sad stories I am hearing, so many are hurting. Please help your neighbor and support our small family businesses if you can. My prayers to you all!
On April 2, Governor Reynolds ordered Iowa schools closed until the end of the month. Legislative leaders also decided it was best we further suspend the session until April 30, still following the guidance of the Centers of Disease Control and Iowa Department of Public Health.
As we continue to work through this pandemic, please know there are many resources available to you if you need them. The 24/7 hotline for all COVID-19 related questions can be reached at 2-1-1- or 1-800-244-7431. Additionally, a legal information hotline for COVID-19 related legal matters, like eviction, the denial of unemployment benefits, or employer-employee issues, is available at 1-800-332-0419.
Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Workforce Development continue to update their website with information, especially with the recent passage of the CARES Act at the federal level. If you are looking for information or updates, I encourage you to visit their websites at www.iowabusinessrecovery.com and www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/covid-19. The Iowa Department of Education also released a number of resources for families to support learning at home during this period. Those can be found at https://educateiowa.gov/pk-12/resources-support-learning-during-covid-19.
I’d like to take a moment to thank all those who have been working during this pandemic. Not only the nurses, doctors, and health care workers who are helping those who are sick, but people who continue to work to ensure Iowans still have access to food, medicine, and other essential items, while many are working from home.
Iowans have always been strong, especially in the face of difficulty and challenge. All over our state, Iowans have been stepping up to help each other and bring each other comfort. Facing uncertainty is hard, but we are all in this together. We will get through this, and when we do, our state will be even stronger. If you have questions, concerns or need anything else, please do not hesitate to call or email me.
