(Radio Iowa) – Thousands of Iowans in 70 rural communities will be contacted by mail soon as part of a survey about how COVID-19 has affected their lives. The survey will be conducted by researchers at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. David Peters, an I-S-U sociology professor, says there’s been much focus on the big metro areas, but very little discussion about Iowa’s plentiful rural communities.

“Beyond the packing towns, what’s been the impact in small town America?” Peters asks. “How has isolation, job losses and the economic impacts of the pandemic, coupled with a long-term decline in the farm economy the last three, four, five years, how is that really impacting rural America?” The surveys should be mailed out within the next few weeks and Peters anticipates the data will be coming back in by early September.

“Our survey is meant to really quantify the impact in small towns,” Peters says, “and then communicate the needs, the challenges facing small towns, communicate that to state and national policymakers, so when they develop new programs, that they’re targeted better towards rural communities.” Peters says the National Science Foundation donated $200,000 to both schools to conduct the survey of 12,000 people.

“What’s really been the job losses, what’s been the emotional impact, and with school starting up, challenges with health care and other things that might be closed down,” Peters says. “We’re also interested in how people social distance — or not — in the communities, but really just to try and get a handle on what they see as the biggest challenges facing them from the pandemic.”

Locally, among the communities selected for the survey is: Afton, Anita, Audubon, Bedford, Clarinda, Corning,  Denison,  Hamburg,  Mapleton, Missouri Valley, Mount Ayr, Murray, Oakland, and Villisca.

Officials with Mills County Public Health, Tuesday, say there is one additional, positive case of COVID-19 confirmed in the County. The case concerns a person 41-to 60-years of age, who contracted the virus through community spread.

The latest cases brings to 59 the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mills County. As of Tuesday, 34 had recovered from the virus, and 2,323 residents have been tested, for a positivity rate of 2.6%.

Mills County Public Health says “Given the current uncertainty and the rise in transmission of COVID-19 in Mills County, we are encouraging everyone to wear a cloth face mask cover when they are in public.” Officials say “By doing so, you will help contain the spread of COVID-19.”

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, approved an application from Voluntary Annexation from Agriland FS Inc. in Griswold, a building for which is located in part on County and City land. The resolution places the land within the City limits. City officials in Griswold is also expected to approve the annexation.

The Board also approved an “IDOT Agreement for County Bridge Federal-Aid SWAP Funding for a bridge on Boston Road, one-mile east of Olive Street. The project is valued at $600,000.  There were bids for three stream grade Stabilization & bank protection projects that have been reviewed by the County Engineer, who has recommend the Board accept the low bid. In this case, the Board accepted a low bid of $211,015 from Murphy Heavy Contracting for the project.

Board Secretary Dale Sunderman reports also, Griswold city council member Julianne Adams asked the Board to assist with the city’s request that a cell tower, proposed to be built just outside the city limits, be erected on a site located at a greater distance from a city residential area.  The city is not opposed to the tower, just the proposed location, and has proposed alternate sites within city limits.

The Cass County zoning commission turned down the request to erect the tower at this location.  However, the cell company states, and the County attorney confirmed, that Iowa law permits the company to erect the tower on an eligible site of its preference.  The building permit has not been issued.  The board and city will continue to investigate what options may be available.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office has ordered a sharp reduction in coronavirus testing at a site in Dubuque, where infections have been rising. The Test Iowa site in Dubuque will be allowed to offer only 100 tests per day, starting Tuesday. The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald reported the site had been testing between 400 and 550 people per day. The site will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Reynolds’ spokesman, Pat Garrett, said the tests were limited to ensure consistency and high quality performance at all Test Iowa sites. Dubuque County has seen daily coronavirus cases more than quadruple since June.