Atlantic, IA — Cass County Health System is implementing some additional measures to mitigate any possible spread of COVID-19 within their facilities. Officials say effective Wednesday, April 1st, all patients and visitors will now be given a cloth face mask to wear while they are in the building.

Amanda Bireline, Chief Nursing Officer, said “Cloth masks are effective for blocking the sneezes and coughs of a potentially infected person. These masks help to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.”

In order to be effective, masks must be worn over both the mouth and nose, and need to remain in place while coughing or sneezing. Bireline says “The masks are effective because they stop potentially infectious droplets from a cough or sneeze from landing on people or surfaces.”

Community members have donated over 340 masks to date. Bireline added, “We so appreciate our community members who have been sewing masks for us. We welcome as many as you can get to us!”

Officials with the City of Massena report “Out of an abundance of caution amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the playground equipment in the Massena City Park is CLOSED immediately until further notice. In addition, the park restrooms/water fountain will remain closed. Open spaces in the park will remain open.”

The City says “While this decision is very difficult, we want to protect Massena’s families and our youth from further spread of the coronavirus.”

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says the state will mail an absentee ballot request form to every active registered voter in the state — for voting in the June 2 primary. Pate released a recorded message about the decision.

(as said) “The June 2nd primary election will go on as scheduled because it’s important for Iowans to make their voices heard by voting,” Pate said, “and the safest way to vote will be by mail.”

Pate last week announced he was using emergency authority to add 11 more days to the early voting period for the June primary and he encouraged Iowans to use the vote-by-mail option to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Pate’s office will send the absentee ballot request forms later this month and each will include prepaid postage for mailing the requests to county auditors.

(as said) “The safety of voters while casting their ballots is our top priority,” Pate said in today’s recorded message.

Pate indicated there are about two MILLION active registered voters in Iowa. Iowans may request absentee ballots for the June Primary through May 22. County auditors begin mailing ballots on April 23.

DES MOINES, Iowa (The Des Moines Register) — A federal judge has ordered an Iowa state home for male juvenile offenders to stop the use of a physical restraining device and to reform its use of isolation as a form of punishment. The Des Moines Register reports that the ruling Monday came in a class-action lawsuit filed against the Boys State Training School in Eldora in 2017 by two advocacy groups.

At issue is the use of an immobilizing device called “the wrap” on boys at the facility — nearly five hours at a time, in some cases — and boys as young as 14 routinely forced into isolation for weeks at a time.

Some residents of Exira have expressed concerns about the status of their medical clinic and that it might be closed permanently. Audubon County Memorial Hospital CEO Suzanne Cooner told KJAN News Tuesday afternoon and in a written statement, that the “Audubon County Memorial Hospital has received enough personal protective equipment over the last week to re-open our Exira Clinic on a limited basis. The clinic had been temporarily closed for the safety of the staff and to maximize the use of limited PPE”

Suzanne Cooner, CEO Audubon County Memorial Hospital

Cooner said “Our provider, Val Riesberg, and Christie Konkler and Julie Vais will staff the clinic starting this Friday, April 3rd from 8 am to 4 pm. After this Friday, the clinic will be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.”

She stressed that “It is very important for the safety of our staff that visit are open by appointment only. This includes appointments for Lab draws and BP checks, which are usually walk ins. Patients will be screened on the phone and again in person upon entering the clinic. Everyone will wear a mask and the mask will be sent home with the patient.

The Clinic will schedule the patients appropriately throughout the day so that no one is in the clinic at the same time as another family is. The Clinic will only see patients whose symptoms are not suspected as possible Covid -19. Suspected Covid-19 will be redirected to Audubon County Memorial Hospital for testing at a designated time to maximize the staff’s use of full protective equipment.”

Suzanne Cooner said also, “The Exira Clinic will open up fully only after the Pandemic is considered contained in Iowa. We appreciate everyone’s patience at this difficult time but safety of our patients and staff are our primary concern.”

One person was transported by Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital following an accident this (Tuesday) afternoon, in Atlantic. The crash between a mini-van and a legally parked car happened at around 1:50-p.m. on 10th Street, near the intersection with Cherry.

Atlantic Police Lt. Paul Wood said the van occupied by an older male driver and his female passenger, was westbound on 10th when it crashed into the back of the car and pushed it into the middle of the street. The driver of the van was transported to the hospital. A report on his condition was not immediately released. The names of the van occupants were also not released.

An Emergency Proclamation issued March 17th by Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones and set to expire at midnight tonight (Tuesday), is being extended until further notice.  City Administrator John Lund says a few changes were made to the original proclamation (Some of which were previously mentioned). They include:

• The Park equipment closure and door-to-door sales suspension have been incorporated into this proclamation.

• The Library is ending curb side pickup, they will notify everyone when this will resume.

• The closure of the City Hall lobby and bathrooms is noted.

• The Street Department building is now closed to the public.

• Additional language that bridges the City’s meetings with the Governor’s proclamation. Specifically, City Council, committee, board and commission meetings that must occur shall either be done electronically and/or limited to less than 10 people in a room with a minimum six-foot distance between individuals. City employees shall make every accommodation reasonably possible to encourage public participation in said meetings while complying with this section.