Recorded Webinar by Roger Brooks Due to the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19, this coronavirus is now sweeping countries around the world and the industry we all love – tourism and downtowns – are being severely impacted. In this webinar, which was prepared the night of Tuesday, March 17th and delivered on Wednesday morning, the 18th offers a dozen ideas for helping to mitigate the effects the pandemic is having on us: destination marketing organizations, downtown associations, downtown retail shops and eateries.   

Iowa Workforce Development will provide updates related to the impact of COVID-19 as they become available. Please review this page for the latest information and resources. The Iowa Department of Public Health also provides updates here. Click here for Iowa Business Recovery Assistance from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. CIRAS has launched https://www.ciras.iastate.edu/covid-19/ to provide you with up-to-date resources on how to respond to COVID-19 for your business. Click below to download the free business resource guide from CCDG: CCDG Business Resource Guide Business Assistance Programs

Press Release Date: March 20, 2020 COVID-19 Update COVID-19 is circulating in Iowa communities and many more Iowans are likely to become ill in the coming weeks. There are many questions in the community regarding who should be tested for the COVID-19 virus. To clarify and alleviate concerns in our communities, the Clayton County Healthcare Coalition would like to share this information with you. Not everyone in the community who becomes ill needs to have the COVID-19 testing completed. 80% of the cases of COVID-19 are mild to moderate illness symptoms (low grade fever, cough, shortness of breath) and will recover completely by following these recommendations: Stay home for at least 7 days from the start of your illness and have a normal temperature for 3 full days without the aid of fever reducing medication such as Tylenol Get plenty of rest Drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated Isolate yourself from other family members in your home as much as possible Additionally, if you are experiencing mild to moderate illness symptoms that are manageable at home, the Iowa Department of Public Health is not recommending you have a COVID-19 test or a work release from your medical provider. If your occupation falls into the category of “Essential Service Personnel” such as healthcare professionals, law enforcement, fire & EMS, or long-term care and residential personnel, you may need to be tested according to your employer’s policies and can check directly with your employer on what those work policies are. If you develop a temperature of 100.4 F or higher, your symptoms worsen or you experience shortness of breath, please call your medical provider or local hospital to be evaluated over the phone. Your medical provider will determine if you need to be seen and/or receive a test. Please remember to call your medical clinic or local hospital before arriving as they may want you to enter thru a designated entrance to protect the other patients in the waiting rooms. If you experience a medical emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency room for guidance. It is recommended that Iowans self-isolate for 14 days in the following situations: If you have been on a cruise anywhere in the world in the last 14 days If you have traveled internationally in the last 14 days to a country with a Level 3 Travel Warning in place. Please refer to the CDC website (cdc.gov) for travel warning information as it can change rapidly. If you live with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19 What does self-isolation mean? Stay home and do not go to school, public areas or attend gatherings. Do not use public transportation, ride sharing, or taxis. Postpone all non-essential travel. Wash your hands often and practice good hygiene. Postpone all non-essential medical appointments until you have completed your 14 days of self- isolation. If you have an essential medical appointment during this time, please work with your healthcare provider and local public health professionals, as needed, to help coordinate the visit. What should I be watching for during self-isolation? Take your temperature twice a day. Watch for a fever. Watch for cough or difficulty breathing. What about the people I live with? Family members or other persons who reside in your home may remain in your home, but you should stay in a specific room away from others and use a separate bathroom (if available). As long as you remain healthy, the other persons in your home can go about their daily activities as normal. There is no restriction on their movement. You should not have direct contact with any animals (i.e., dogs, cats, pigs, cattle, sheep and goats) out of an abundance of caution. Arrange for your pets to be cared for and housed outside of your home, if possible. For updated information on COVID-19, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus Follow the Department on Facebook @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter @IAPublicHealth. Download this press release: CC Press Release 3.20.20

So many of our small communities have businesses in immediate jeopardy of facing layoffs, closures and financial troubles during the pandemic. Rivals, Inc. intends on using its resources, AKA custom printing, to help any business interested in our SAVE THE BIZ campaign to raise needed funds. It’s a simple process: 1. Sign up your business up (provide us with the logo you want us to use) 2. We take the logo and display it printed on a t-shirt (these will be Bella Canvas Ringspun Tees) 3. We will post the t-shirt for sale online: Our website, Facebook , Instagram, Twitter 4. IMPORTANT: SHARE THE POST with your friends, encourage them to purchase your businesses t-shirt 5. Upon ordering, Rivals prints and ships to your supporters directly. 6. Fundraised proceeds are sent back to the business. This is one creative way we can use our resources at Rivals to help others. Without schools, colleges, sports, community activities, or events happening, our print presses are nearly silent. Hopefully this will help wake them back up and we can support those businesses that have done so much for us in the past too. Consider signing up your business and join the small business battle against COVID19. Learn more here. Contact: Shanna Hamann Rivals, Inc. Screen Printing, Embroidery & Dye Sub shanna@rivalsinc.com (563) 380-6465 www.rivalsinc.com