(Radio Iowa) – A University of Iowa researcher says the country could reopen more quickly and safely if everyone wore a clear plastic face shield. Doctor Michael Edmond, chief quality officer at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, says a universal face shield may reduce coronavirus transmission and could allow relaxing of social distancing measures. Edmond, a U-I infectious disease professor, says face shields have several advantages.

“They’re more durable than face masks,” Edmond says. “The medical face masks really don’t last very long at all. Cloth masks can be reused and laundered, but face shields can just be wiped off.” Face shields cover the eyes and prevent people from touching their faces, and face shields are readily available. Edmond says he’s working on modeling studies to determine if his theories on face shield use prove valid.

“If every person were in a face shield, we would reduce transmission of the virus to the point that some of these other more drastic things that we have to do like restricting people’s movements, those could be relaxed somewhat.” Volunteers in Iowa are making cloth masks and plastic face shields by the thousands for distribution to hospital workers, paramedics and other first responders.

(Reporting by Katarina Sostaric, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) — Iowans will learn late this (Tuesday) morning if more businesses in their area may open this weekend. Some of the closures Governor Reynolds ordered are set to expire this Friday, May 15th. “I’ve been really impressed with not only what our business community has done, our church community has done as well as Iowans in general,” Reynolds says, “and so we can continue, I think, to lessen the restrictions and open up our state and start to begin in a thoughtful, safe and purposeful way to continue to reopen our economy.”

Restaurants in 77 counties were allowed to reopen dining areas, at limited capacity, on May 1st, but bars statewide have had to stay closed. Hair and nail salons as well as barbershops have remained under the governor’s closure order as well. “Iowans have been incredibly responsible…as they’re continuing to practice social distancing. I think they’re wearing face coverings when they’re not able to practice the social distancing,” Reynolds says. “We are seeing businesses be very thoughtful and cautious about how they start to reopen.”

Retail shops that sell clothes, shoes, furniture and flowers were allowed to reopen this past weekend. Malls and fitness centers could reopen, too — but all at limited capacity to allow for customers and patrons to maintain proper distancing. The latest report from the state indicates 271 Iowans have died of COVID-19 and more than 12-thousand Iowans have tested positive for the virus. A total of 32 long term care facilities have outbreaks of the coronavirus among residents.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor and its medical director are in partial quarantine after potential exposure to the coronavirus, even as the state made plans to lift more restrictions that were intended to fight the disease.Gov. Kim Reynolds says she will follow a modified quarantine plan because she may have been exposed last week while visiting the White House or meeting with Vice President Mike Pence two days later in Iowa. The governor says she’ll have minimal interactions with others, wear a mask at times and practice social distancing. Dr. Caitlin Pedati, the state epidemiologist, says she’s in quarantine and working from home after joining Reynolds at the White House last week.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 39-year-old Iowa woman has pleaded guilty to charges in the death of a 2-year-old boy who swallowed medication. Amanda Leonard-Hellum, of Waterloo, was scheduled for trial Tuesday in the June 2019 death of Maximus Leonard-Hellum in Des Moines. But she entered a written plea to reduced charges in April. She originally was charged with child endangerment causing death, but as part of her deal, she pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent person. Prosecutors say Maximus took the pills while Leonard-Hellum was driving from Waterloo to Des Moines. She did not seek help for the boy until the next day.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Police in the western Iowa city of Council Bluffs have identified an officer who shot an Omaha, Nebraska, man in an exchange of gunfire earlier this month. Police say Officer Michael Roberts shot 34-year-old Jimmy Carr on May 2 outsident a Council Bluffs gas station. Police say Roberts, encountered Carr outside the station while responding to a burglary call, and that Carr pulled a gun from his pocket and fired at the officer. The officer returned fire, injuring Carr. The officer was not hurt. Carr has since been released from an Omaha hospital and is charged with attempted murder of a police officer and other counts.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say three men have been arrested and charged after an 18-year-old was shot in the head near Drake Park in Des Moines. The shooting was reported Sunday evening after an officer heard gunshots in the area and spotted a vehicle speeding away. Police say the vehicle’s driver initially refused to pull over for the officer. When it did stop, police found several people in the vehicle, including the teen who had been shot in the head. The victim was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Police say two men, 18-year-old Austin James Mallory and 21-year-old Rakewon Patton, have been charged with attempted murder and other counts. A third man, 24-year-old Tayronce Devon Denton, was also arrested on a drug count.

DES MOINES, Iowa (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier) — A 39-year-old Iowa woman has pleaded guilty to charges in the death of a 2-year-old boy who swallowed medication. Amanda Leonard-Hellum, of Waterloo, was scheduled for trial Tuesday in the June 2019 death of Maximus Leonard-Hellum in Des Moines. But she entered a written plea to reduced charges in April.

She originally was charged with child endangerment causing death, but as part of her deal, she pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent person. Prosecutors say Maximus took the pills while Leonard-Hellum was driving from Waterloo to Des Moines. She did not seek help for the boy until the next day.

A fifth case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Montgomery County. The new case is a child (0-17 years) and contracted the virus through close contact with a positive case.

In Montgomery County, to date, there have been five (5) confirmed cases, one (1) of which has recovered. A total of 149 people have been tested. There is still a great need for all residents to stay home as much as possible, stay away from groups of people and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals as there is substantial spread of COVID-19 throughout Iowa.

“We encourage residents to spend time outdoors when possible because it’s beneficial to mental health and physical activity is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle,” said Samantha Beeson, Montgomery County Public Health Administrator. “Everyone needs to continue following social distancing guidelines when outdoors because close contact, even outside, can spread the virus that causes COVID-19.”

Oakland (Iowa) Mayor Brant A. Miller, today (Monday) extended a State of Emergency proclamation that was made April 1st. The action taken today extends the State of Emergency for 30 days, and is in response to the three positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the City. In his letter posted on social media, Mayor Miller said “We have been lucky thus far to have a low case count, but this can change at any time.”

He went on to say “This is a rapidly evolving situation and we should continue to be vigilant and continue to do what is in the best interest of the public. To date,” he said, “The city has done everything within [its] power to help keep [the] community safe.”

He says “Simply what this means is that I am making decisions and approving expenditures from the city budget in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic without needing council approval prior to enacting a new regulation or requirements in the city.”

After the 30 day State of Emergency Extension  expires, Miller says the situation will be re-evaluated and a determination made on further action.  In the meantime, City buildings will remain closed (including City Hall, the Oakland Community Center, Fitness and Senior Centers and Library). City Parks and Trails remain open, but playground equipment will remain off-limits. All gatherings of 10-persons or more remain prohibited in the City, and social distancing recommendations remain in effect.