Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, from Red Oak, paid a visit to Rex Pharmacy, in Atlantic, Saturday afternoon, as part of her 99 County Tour for 2020. Earlier in the day, she stopped in Carroll for a Main Street Tour, and in Onawa.

In Atlantic, Ernst said she learned about how Rex Pharmacy has adapted to serve the community and area in the age of COVID.

Ric Hanson/photos

Cass County Supervisor Mark O’Brien, who owns a construction company, stopped-by during Ernst’s visit and asked what the odds are of the new $600 per week Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), being extended in the next COVID-19 stimulus package. Ernst said “We don’t want it to go on the next one, because what we see here in Iowa…is that we have employers that are opening-up and they can’t get their people to come back to work.” O’Brien says he has seen that happen with his own business.

He says if the PPP continues, he’s “In trouble.” The deadline to qualify for forgiveness and funds is June 30th. If approved, the funds could be used to cover costs over the next 24 weeks or until December 31, whichever is earlier. Previously, the program covered 8 weeks. (Learn more at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program)

Ernst says the economy would be damaged if the plan is continued, and she will be a “No” vote.”

Ernst said the next package she and Senator Grassley will focus on is specific COVID-19 areas, not bailing out large cities, etc. That process is expected to begin in mid-July, or early August. When asked if State officials around the country relaxed restrictions too soon, in light of a resurgance in the virus in some area, Ernst said the increase in case-positives is not necessarily due to an upsurge in cases.

She said the country can make it through pandemic if everyone does their part to stay safe.