Statewide Iowa — The Iowa Board of Medicine met in emergency session by telephone Friday morning, unanimously passing a resolution asking the governor to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order.
Kent Nebel is the board’s executive director.
(As above) “The concern is that individuals or people are not fully complying with the recommendations for self-isolation,” he says, “and that is increasing the risks to both health care providers who are out there providing services and to the public for spread of the virus.”
Governor Reynolds has forbidden gatherings of 10 or more and ordered schools and an array of businesses to close and she has repeatedly said those steps are akin to the stay-at-home orders other governors have issued. Six doctors, a nurse and an attorney serve on the Iowa Board of Medicine.
(As above) “The board is supportive and believes she’s done an excellent job of establishing appropriate safeguards,” Nebel says, “but as the spread of the virus gets worse, I think they believe that she needs to take one step further and issue a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order.”
The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports a doctor from the Quad Cities who is a member of the board raised concerns about Illinois residents crossing into Iowa to get away from the restrictions there. All members of the Board of Medicine were appointed by Reynolds or her predecessor, Governor Terry Branstad.
During her daily press conference Friday afternoon, Governor Reynolds addressed those who have urged her to institute a “Shelter-In-Place” order. Reynolds said that, “side-by-side comparisons between what’s being done in Iowa and other states that have Shelter-In-Place Orders, they’re much the same.” She went on to say that states that have issued Shelter-In-Place orders have kept the majority of their businesses open. Governor Reynolds said, “What matters is the substance of the order, not it’s name.” Reynolds urged Iowans to do the same things she’s been urging all along, wash your hands frequently, practice social distancing, and if you don’t have to leave home, don’t leave home.
Friday’s Press Conference Is Below
