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#Iowa's #COVID19 website showing 343 hospitalizations, highest number since May 30. Short thread on the disaster unfolding, with a focus on NW counties and @IAGovernor's lack of leadership.
Here are statewide hospitalization figures, w/trendlines. 1/
Here are statewide hospitalization figures, w/trendlines. 1/
Here are the stats, trends for #COVID19 hospitalizations in #Iowa's region 3, containing 20 counties in NW corner of state. Note the sharp increase in admissions, just in the last week. 2/
Here's a map showing @IAPublicHealth's calculation of #COVID19 positivity rates for all 99 #Iowa counties over past 14 days. State's calculations are suspect but even if these figures aren't entirely accurate, it's clear NW Iowa has some of the worst community spread. 3/
Far northwest counties consistently deliver the highest vote share for #Iowa GOP candidates. Looking just at the 3 counties with highest #COVID19 positivity rates, in 2018 #iagov election @KimReynoldsIA received 85.9% (!) of the vote in Sioux, 82.5% in Lyon, 79.1% in Osceola. 4/
Final 2018 campaign rally for @KimReynoldsIA was in Sioux Center, b/c of how important that area is for delivering large vote margins for GOP candidates. Also worth noting that @IALtGov @AdamGreggIA grew up in Hawarden (Sioux County). 5/
As I mentioned in this post from Friday, school districts in #Iowa counties with surging #COVID19 positivity rates aren't even requesting to move to online learning to slow the spread. Nor are @IAGovernor, @IAPublicHealth encouraging them to do so. 6/ https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2020/09/25/iowas-covid-19-spread-still-uncontrolled-as-total-deaths-pass-1300/
. @IAGovernor has done nothing lately to reduce #COVID19 transmission in any rural/small town counties where positivity rates, hospitalizations are skyrocketing.
Her sole focus was to close bars in 6 counties w/large metros or college towns in late August. https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2020/08/31/kim-reynolds-set-young-people-up-to-fail-now-shes-setting-them-up-to-blame/
Her sole focus was to close bars in 6 counties w/large metros or college towns in late August. https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2020/08/31/kim-reynolds-set-young-people-up-to-fail-now-shes-setting-them-up-to-blame/
She soon reopened bars in 4 of those counties. Now bars are closed by @IAGovernor's order in only 2 counties: Johnson (Iowa City, @UIowa) and Story (Ames, @IowaStateU). 8/
Many people in smaller towns believe #COVID19 isn't a problem for rural #Iowa. Don't take my word for it: listen to Dr. Greg Cohen, who's been practicing family medicine in Chariton (Lucas County) for more than 25 years. 9/ https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2020/09/09/the-covid-19-pandemic-through-the-eyes-of-a-rural-iowa-doctor/
Specifically in far NW #Iowa counties, many people are hostile to idea they should be doing anything to slow spread of #COVID19. Don't take my word for it: ask @NWIowaReview editor @Rushthewriter, who's tweeted many hostile messages/comments they got for covering pandemic. 10/
In July, @IAGovernor and @IAPublicHealth launched a half-hearted #StepUpMaskUpIA campaign to promote face coverings to slow spread of #COVID19. 11/ https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2020/07/24/now-she-tells-us/
The #StepUpMaskUpIA campaign short-lived, and @IAGovernor herself hasn't been consistent about wearing masks when she's at large gatherings, sometimes in close contact with others. Small sample of photos published here: /12 https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2020/08/31/kim-reynolds-set-young-people-up-to-fail-now-shes-setting-them-up-to-blame/
. @IAGovernor is still very popular in some parts of #Iowa. Imagine if she and @IALtGov (who is from Sioux County) did a tour of northwest counties, strongly pushing the message that people need to wear masks and take other #COVID19 precautions. 13/
. @IAGovernor and @IADeptofEd could bring pressure to bear on #Iowa school districts that are taking no additional steps to slow spread of #COVID19 despite high case counts in their areas.
Adam Gregg went to this high school himself: 14/ https://www.nwestiowa.com/independent/west-sioux-wont-amend-its-mask-policy/article_f16320d8-ff7a-11ea-9630-df2d4aa9ec2e.html
Adam Gregg went to this high school himself: 14/ https://www.nwestiowa.com/independent/west-sioux-wont-amend-its-mask-policy/article_f16320d8-ff7a-11ea-9630-df2d4aa9ec2e.html
Why isn't @IAGovernor closing bars, limiting gatherings, or doing anything to slow #COVID19 spread in rural #Iowa? Not even using her influence to urge people to "do the right thing." Looks afraid to anger part of GOP base that thinks virus is hoax and is hostile to masks. 15/
This thread got longer than I'd planned. I will end by noting that at least 1,315 Iowans have already died of #COVID19, and #Iowa is losing around 200 people a month.
A real leader would do more than we're seeing from @IAGovernor. 16/16 https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2020/09/25/iowas-covid-19-spread-still-uncontrolled-as-total-deaths-pass-1300/
A real leader would do more than we're seeing from @IAGovernor. 16/16 https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2020/09/25/iowas-covid-19-spread-still-uncontrolled-as-total-deaths-pass-1300/
