March 24, 2020 | Issue 5
Governor Announces Two Programs to Help Small Businesses
Governor Kim Reynolds announced yesterday a new Iowa Small Business Relief Program. The program will provide financial assistance to small businesses and tax deferrals to any Iowa businesses that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for the programs are due by noon on Tuesday, March 31.

Brown Winick Law Firm has published a blog post that outlines the programs for additional information.
Webinars to Provide Overview of SBA Assistance
The Small Business Association (SBA) is offering two webinars this week to provide an overview of the assistance available.

Tuesday, March 24, 2:30 - 4:00 PM - click here to see the presentation or join via phone at (202) 765-1264, use ID 118151981.

Thursday, March 26, 2:30 - 4:00 PM - click here to see the presentation or join via phone at (202) 765-1264, use ID 480330157.

In addition to the webinars, SBA has created a Disaster Assistance in Response fact sheet.

A recent blog post by Brown Winick Law Firm attorney, Amy Johnson, provides additional information regarding the assistance available through the SAB Disaster Loans.
Donate PPE
The need for personal protective equipment (PPE) continues. If you have PPE that you are able and willing to donate please complete the donation form.

Many of you have been contacted by your local hospitals and other healthcare facilities for donations. If you donate directly to the facilities, please contact IDA with a list of the items donated and the name of the facility donated to. IDA is tracking the amount of PPE donated by Iowa dentists. Thank you to everyone who has generously donated PPE to assist with the national shortage!
Webinar: Protect the Health of Your Practice During the Economic Downturn
The ADA is offering a free webinar on Wednesday, March 25 at 1:00 PM that will discuss how to predict short-term and long-term impacts on business operations and how to minimize risk. Specific topics to be discussed include:

  • How to use real-time data to quell fears (yours and patients).
  • Be proactive and reasonable in implementing your original 2020 business plan.
  • Tools to provide team-wide focus and clarity during these times.

Questions may be submitted prior to the webinar when registering. An on-demand version of the webinar will be available later in the week on the ADA website.
Patterson Dental Announces 90-Day Deferments Available on Loans
Patterson Dental announced today that they will allow deferred loan payments on Patterson Financial Services loans for up to 90 days to help provide financial assistance to dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Send Patterson Dental an email requesting this option including the reference number from your most recent Patterson Financial Statement or your customer number and name.

Patterson Dental recognizes the increased demand for infection control products at this time but is making every effort to keep up with orders and quantities to be able to provide dentists with the equipment they need to see emergency patients.

View Patterson Dental's COVID-19 resource page.
Managing Stress During COVID-19
The CDC has resources available to help manage anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their website contains information on:

Register to Serve in the Iowa Statewide Emergency Registry of Volunteers
Interested individuals are encouraged to register as a willing and able volunteer through the Iowa Statewide Emergency Registry of Volunteers (i-SERV) – the Iowa Department of Public Health's secure online registry for individuals wishing to volunteer in the event of a large-scale disaster or public health emergency. Volunteers maintain the option to accept or decline any opportunity. Due to the Governor’s Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration, individuals who volunteer to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic are granted liability immunity for their service. Volunteering for this disaster response will not impact unemployment benefits for those who are receiving them as a result of their clinic temporarily shutting down. 
Governor Conducting Daily Press Conferences
Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that she will be conducting daily press conferences at 2:30 PM. Those press conferences may be viewed live on Facebook.