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MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 | IN THIS ISSUE
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University of Iowa Health Care leaders have issued an urgent request for Iowa businesses and individuals to donate new or used protective face shields to the hospital. The shields are used by hospital staff to keep employees safe and help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19.
"These protective shields are extremely effective - especially for our staff who cannot always maintain a six-foot social distance when interacting with patients, visitors and colleagues," said UI Hospitals & Clinics CEO Suresh Gunasekaran. "There is a national shortage, and we need to secure an adequate supply for our needs now and in the future."
UI Hospitals & Clinics currently has a supply of face shields for staff who provide patient care or do screenings at hospital entrances. Additional face shields would allow for all employees who interact with patients, visitors and coworkers to wear one.
The protective face shields should be lightweight and adjustable to fit securely to the user's head, with a shield area that extends below the chin. Previously used face shields are acceptable; UI Health Care staff can clean and disinfect used shields.
To donate protective face shields or other personal protective equipment, also known as PPE, visit
uihc.org/kind-donations
. Individuals, companies or organizations may also call Concierge Services at (319) 356-1900 or (319) 678-5500 to drop-off or pick-up.
"We are so grateful to the community for all their support and assistance during this crisis," said Dr. Gunasekaran. "The doctors, nurses and health care staff feel the care and concern. Thank you."
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Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank (EIDB), a collaborative program of area nonprofit organizations, is expanding access to the program in response to growing diaper need as a result of the situation with coronavirus (COVID-19). Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or child clean, dry and healthy.
EIDB began distributing diapers and wipes today to community members who are affected by the current situation and do not have an adequate supply of diapers for their children.
For diaper distribution to community members (not currently enrolled in EIDB):
- EIDB is open Mondays from 1- 5 p.m. in the Sister Mary Lawrence Building at 420 Sixth St. SE, Ste. 180, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
- EIDB is operating on a drive-thru model. Community members are asked to pull to the back of the diaper bank in the alley off Sixth Street. An EIDB employee will assist you while you remain in the car.
- Diaper limits: 50 diapers per family, every two weeks.
Current EIDB enrolled participants from YPN, HACAP and Eastern Iowa Health Center should follow the reduced hours and guidelines posted on social media.
EIDB, similar to other organizations and companies is struggling with supply chain disruption due to COVID-19. There are concerns that as it scales up to meet the needs of additional community members, inventory will be depleted.
To encourage social distancing, EIDB is asking community members to consider a "virtual" donation through the Amazon Wish List or by shopping online at their retailer of choice and sending diapers to the address above.
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Delta Dental of Iowa and the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation today announced two relief programs to offer Iowa dentists and nonprofits financial assistance during the coronavirus pandemic, the Business Record reports.
Delta Dental of Iowa, whose network includes 94% of Iowa's dentists, has allocated more than $10 million for a new Advance Claims Payment Program, which will provide financial assistance for its network dentists who have been affected by COVID-19 disruptions and address their immediate cash flow needs. The program will provide dentists with advances equal to 50% of their average claims payment for four weeks.
Additionally, the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation has committed $500,000 for the COVID-19 Nonprofit Emergency Operating Relief Fund, which will provide operating grants up to $10,000 to Iowa nonprofit organizations focused on providing health and wellness services or addressing food insecurity needs during this crisis.
"These are unprecedented times. As a health and wellness company, we are committed to maintaining our services to our customers, but we wanted to do more for Iowa dentists and our community partners," said Jeff Russell, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa and president of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation.
Mr. Russell said that the advances, which will total more than $10 million, will be sufficient to provide its entire network of more than 1,600 dentists with half of their regular cash flow during the four-week period. Delta Dental estimates that it will completely recoup the advances, which dentists will repay beginning in July over a 20-week period, by the end of this year. For now, the offer is being extended only to its in-network dentists.
"We know that dental visits that have been canceled will be rescheduled - there will be a pent-up demand when this crisis is over," Mr. Russell said. No application fees, interest or other costs will be charged to the dentists for the program, he said.
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Hy-Vee, Inc. has set a goal to raise $1 million to help local food banks restock their shelves during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Hy-Vee launched a campaign today to raise money and awareness for food banks across its eight-state region. When customers check out, they will be asked if they would like to donate $1 or more to assist local food banks. For every dollar raised, Hy-Vee will match it dollar for dollar, up to $500,000. Customers can also make a donation in a pre-set increment during their Hy-Vee Aisles Online purchase. All funds will then be collected at the store level on a weekly basis and provided to local food banks to help replenish their stock every week.
"In today's uncertain times, we want to keep our local food banks stocked with the essentials that individuals and families need," Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee's chairman, CEO and president, stated in a press release. "By partnering with our customers, our goal is to raise $1 million for our food bank partners so they can continue their operations throughout this crisis."
The company's match will come from Hy-Vee's One Step program, which is funded by proceeds from the sales of select Hy-Vee products to assist those in need.
Donations at the checkout will be accepted March 23-April 30.
Each Hy-Vee location has selected a local food bank that will receive the monetary donations, as many stores already have relationships with local agencies that are committed to meeting the needs of residents facing food insecurity in their areas.
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As Iowans brace for further disruptions to everyday life, Cottage Grove Place is helping isolated seniors maintain a connection to their community with an age-old secret - comfort food.
On March 26, Cottage Grove will offer free meals to seniors age 65 and older from the Irish Democrat as a part of their Hope To-Go giveaway. The Cedar Rapids retirement community said it was important that the meals come from a restaurant that residents know as a way of lending support to the local food scene.
In an effort to make the giveaway as safe as possible, participating seniors will need to call in advance to schedule a reservation for a hands-free pick-up. Free meals will be given to the first 50 eligible callers.
Seniors interested in a meal can call the Cottage Grove Place reservation line at (319) 297-7303 before noon March 25. Leave your name and phone number, and a representative will reach out to take your order and schedule your pick-up.
"Loneliness and isolation already take a toll on the senior community, as does food insecurity" said Potique "Tiki" Johnson, a Life Care consultant with Cottage Grove Place. "Hope To-Go will help us to combat both these issues while sending a message to our elders that the Cedar Rapids community hasn't forgotten them."
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 From around the web:
- COVID-19's 'unprecedented demand' spurs Kansas City-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. to ramp up hiring, the Kansas City Business Journal reports.
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Corridor Stocks
| NAME |
SYM |
PRICE |
CHG |
%CHG |
| AEGON |
AEG |
2.28 |
-0.10 |
-4.20% |
| Alliant Energy |
LNT |
39.99 |
-0.71 |
-1.74% |
| Casey's General Stores |
CASY |
123.01 |
-20.79 |
-14.46% |
| Deere & Company |
DE |
111.15 |
-0.48 |
-0.43% |
| Dow Jones |
^DJI |
18,591.93 |
-582.05 |
-3.04% |
| General Mills |
GIS |
47.28 |
-6.09 |
-11.41% |
| GoDaddy |
GDDY |
48.77 |
0.06 |
0.12% |
| Great Western Bank |
GWB |
17.14 |
-2.26 |
-11.65% |
| Heartland Express |
HTLD |
16.59 |
-0.14 |
-0.84% |
| KemPharm |
KMPH |
0.2098 |
-0.0004 |
-0.19% |
| Marsh & McLennan |
MMC |
76.69 |
-3.18 |
-3.98% |
| MidWestOne |
MOFG |
17.56 |
-1.02 |
-5.49% |
| Pearson |
PSO |
5.36 |
-0.40 |
-6.94% |
| Pepsico |
PEP |
105.18 |
1.25 |
1.20% |
| Principal Financial |
PFG |
24.16 |
-1.52 |
-5.92% |
| QCR Holdings |
QCRH |
25.05 |
-0.99 |
-3.80% |
| S&P 500 |
^GSPC |
2,237.40 |
-67.52 |
-2.93% |
| Procter & Gamble |
PG |
97.70 |
-4.73 |
-4.62% |
| United Fire Group |
UFCS |
29.46 |
1.40 |
4.99% |
| U.S. Bank |
USB |
28.93 |
-3.64 |
-11.18% |
| United Technologies |
UTX |
74.95 |
-7.58 |
-9.18% |
| Wells Fargo |
WFC |
25.25 |
-1.25 |
-4.72% |
| West Bank |
WTBA |
15.31 |
-0.36 |
-2.30% |
| Whirlpool |
WHR |
64.22 |
-10.23 |
-13.74% |
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Short-Term Event Planner
Ed. note: Due to Gov. Kim Reynolds' declaration of a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency, events of more than 10 people are prohibited through March 31. If you have a meeting or event that doesn't fall under that provision and will still be held, please let us know at [email protected] so we can update our calendar.
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Headlines from KCRG-TV9
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
The Iowa Department of Public Health says there are now 105 cases of COVID-19 in the state. O
fficials announced 15 new cases in the state today. They include:
Allamakee County, 1 adult (18-40 years) Dubuque County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80
years) Hancock County, 2 older adults (61-80 years) Johnson County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years), 2 older
adults (61-80 years) Linn County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-aged adult
(41-60 years) Muscatine County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years) Polk County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-aged adult
(41-60 years) Wapello County, 1 older adult (61-80 years) Woodbury County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years. There have been a total of 2,043 negative tests as of March 23.
Longtime Iowa Public Radio political correspondent and former host of Iowa PBS's Iowa Press Dean Borg has died. He was 81 years old. According to a press release from Iowa PBS, Borg died Sunday afternoon due to complications caused by pancreatic cancer. During Borg's journalism career of more than five decades, he earned several awards. In 1971, Borg appeared on Iowa PBS's inaugural Iowa Press broadcast and, until his retirement in January 2017, hosted the statewide program that set the standard for public affairs broadcasting in Iowa. He holds the title of the longest-serving host in Iowa PBS history.
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
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Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
This week looks to be very gray, and there will be numerous rain chances as well. There's a chance each day as about four or even perhaps five systems impact the area through Saturday. None of these will be heavy and very light rain amounts are suggested on most days. It's enough to keep an eye on radar if you are planning to get some quick exercise in, but that's about it. Temperatures will generally be in the 40s this week for highs, though there's an opportunity for some 50s if we can get some breaks in the clouds Wednesday.
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