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COVID-19 Strategic Response Portal

This resource is primarily focused on needs of those in our own immediate community of Iowa City and Johnson County, but additional general news and resources are also available for those elsewhere. Contact us if you’d like a news item or resource added here. Visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed for realtime updates. You can also visit our COVID-19 news archive of the weeks leading up to the pandemic.

Key Resources

Radio Interview

Learn more about this initiative by listening to this interview from 18 Mar 2020 with Greg Johnson and host Holly Hart of KICI of Iowa City. Greg Johnson is the director of Resources for Life and creator of the COVID-19 Strategic Response Portal.

Career

There are currently three powerful converging forces producing a seismic shift in today’s job market. This article provides you with some suggestions how to position yourself for long-term career growth and financial wellbeing. [View]

UIHC Covid Helpline

University of Iowa Health Care has launched a new helpline to answer questions about influenza or COVID-19. The helpline is for health care professionals as well as members of the community.

It will have information on steps to prevent illness; how to keep work, school, and communities safe; the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Disease and the Iowa Department of Public Health; and what UI Health Care is doing to address COVID-19.

General information and questions: 319-384-8819
For those with COVID-19 or flu symptoms: 319-384-9010

The helpline will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The helpline is not for urgent patient care needs. For emergencies call 911.

Anyone with signs or symptoms of the flu or COVID-19 are encouraged to call for a video visit with a UI Health Care provider. [Source: KCRG]

General News

Below are posts related to Covid.

CommUnity Crisis Services

City of Iowa City

School Closures

With schools across Iowa closed until at least April 13, thousands of children have lost access to free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches. Starting Monday, many school districts are providing free meals to all students — regardless of their family’s income status — at select schools and other locations. Most meals will be served “grab and go” style. Anyone 18 and under is eligible to benefit from the federally funded meal program. [More…]

Workforce Readiness

There are many vocations that are compatible with social distancing and working from home such as: web design, graphic design, music composition, research, health/life consulting, landscaping, gardening, and marketing. If you’d like to be trained in any of these or other areas, please contact us. Is your current job high risk? Find out by using the NY Times risk assessement guide.

Impacted Workplaces

Many businesses will be impacted by a dramatic drop in sales, reduced hours, or being required to close, particularly those likely to be high risk contageon hubs. Restaurants, bars, hair salons, massage therapists, gyms, wedding planners/photographers, and any venue where people gather will likely be impacted. The loss of valued local businesses will hurt entire communities and have a negative economic impact. Businesses should be transparent about what their needs are and then use fundraising services like GoFundMe or Patreon so supportive customers and community members can donate to keep them running. Businesses might also consider renting out their spaces to one or a few working tenants who would have limited contact with each other, similar to a coworking space. Restaurants could start offering streaming cooking education videos that people could pay for.

Erranders Initiative

University of Iowa Senior Allie Stutting has established a local Errand-ers initiative. “Thank you so much for your interest in helping out older adults, folks with chronic health conditions, and those who are immune suppressed during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Iowa City area. By signing up, you are expressing interest to helping folks in the Iowa City who need to stay out of the public as much as possible due to their age or other health concerns.” [Learn More…]

Service Providers

DNR

United Way

Iowa Cases Map

Note: Click the map below to view the current data. The image below is from 22 Mar 2020. [View Current]

Johnson County

“STAY HOME to help fight coronavirus. Only take ESSENTIAL trips. Watch as the Mayors of Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty share a unified message to our community members.” Read the full statement here: https://bit.ly/3afBQKQ

Recoveries

Inspiring stories of service…

United Way Response

Mask Makers Needed

Mayor Announcement

Fire Chief and Mayor

Johnson County Public Health

Test Kit Manufacturing

Iowa City News Update

Iowa City News

KCRG Report

KCRG Report

Iowa Department of Public Health

Initial Closures

Live coverage of a press conference on March 13, 2020, at the Johnson County Emergency Operations Center to update the public on the latest information regarding COVID-19 in Johnson County.