As the federal government decides what to do in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, state governments are making faster, more relevant decisions. To paint all fifty states with one brush would be counterproductive or even dangerous, but Iowa is one of the states taking logical and appropriate steps to keep Iowans safe.
Compared to the rest of the nation, Iowa is better than average on the number of confirmed cases. Out of 865,585 cases reported nationally to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Iowa makes up around half of a percent of those. Iowa is not the epicenter for COVID-19 in this nation, so it should not be treated as such.
In Iowa, around half of the deaths reported are from nursing homes. These areas are easy to monitor and isolate from outside exposure. The appropriate measures have been put in place to ensure the virus stays contained in those communities. Other close-contact areas, such as schools, have been restricted to mitigate similar situations.
While Iowa is very similar to other states in the number of confirmed cases, it is also one of the most relaxed in government response. The majority of states have issued shelter-in-place orders, severely limiting citizens’ freedom to leave their property. Iowa has not issued such an order because many people are already self-quarantining, and frankly because there is no need.
Iowa has taken many steps to limit the spread of COVID-19. Schools have been closed for the remainder of the year, but the department of education has helped establish distance learning. Most people are staying at home in self-quarantine. When it is necessary to go out, they wear masks and gloves and stay six feet apart from others to abide by social distancing guidelines.
In total, Iowa is doing great. While this pandemic is terrible and its eradication deserves to be America’s top priority, the response needs to be state-led. With communities that come in all shapes and sizes, it is impossible to find one appropriate response for all fifty states thus eliminating the prospect of federal-led management.
Iowa’s response to this pandemic is working. It shows that Iowans don’t need a shelter-in-place order to stay safe. By practicing good hygiene and social distancing, Iowa is preparing itself for a successful transition back into a normal life with a healthy population.
