Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced 38 new COVID-19 cases in Iowa on Sunday. She mentioned that it was the three-week mark since the first positive COVID-19 case was announced in Iowa.
“In that time, our way of life and how we do business has changed dramatically here in Iowa and all across the country,” Reynolds said. “Workers across Iowa and America are facing the reality of suddenly being out of a job and worried about making ends meet and supporting their families while business owners are wondering when or how they’ll reopen their doors.”
It is expected the number of cases will continue to increase. About 80 percent of those who get COVID-19 will experience mild symptoms, Reynolds said, and can fully recover at home with little or no medical attention.
The first question Reynolds took from the media centered around her disaster proclamation including a stoppage on surgical abortions. She said that the decision was not based on her personal ideology.
“The proclamation suspends all non-essential and (elective) surgery procedures until April 16 and we believe that that does include surgical abortion procedures,” Reynolds said. “The decisions that I have made have been made in the vane of really helping us strategically use our PPE (personal protective equipment) stockpile that we have. That has been an issue from the very beginning of this.”
Reynolds noted that she hasn’t targeted any industry in particular. She talked about shutting down bars and restaurants. She discussed recommending shutting down schools for four weeks. And she mentioned churches.
“I didn’t suspend churches and gatherings of more than 10 to go after our faith community,” she said. “Everyone is making sacrifices.”
The governor was asked what she says to people who disagree an abortion is non-essential and elective.
“I just asked that we kept it broad,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said there are all kinds of questions coming with her various orders. For questions regarding surgical abortions, she said the Board of Medicine would be the enforcement or oversight for that part of the order.
Ultimately, Reynolds said it is all about preserving personal protective equipment.
