Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Pressure from medical experts and politicians on the federal and state level is building for a mandatory shelter-in-place order from Gov. Kim Reynolds who rejects such a move as unnecessary. The state is reporting 66 new cases for a total of 614 and two additional deaths, meaning 11 have died. Eli Percenevich, an epidemiologist physician overseeing infection prevention research at the University of Iowa, says the metrics Reynolds uses to decide her response isn’t staying ahead of the growth of infections and deaths. He joins Iowa Democratic legislative and congressional leaders in calling on Reynolds to issue a stay at home order.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is ordering schools to remain on recess through April 30 as part of her efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. Reynolds says Thursday that keeping schools closed at least through April was needed as Iowa sees more cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. Reynolds says school districts have until April 30 to let state officials now how they plan to continue to provide educational opportunities to students. Districts may choose programs using distributed paper worksheets or online tools giving students credit or they may provide noncredit lessons. Those offering noncredit must make up lost instructional time beyond what hasn’t been waived by the Legislature.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Look for Powerball jackpots to get even smaller as the new coronavirus keeps more people at home, not out buying lottery tickets. It was only last week that the Powerball Product Group announced it would cut guaranteed jackpots in half and reduce the minimum amount the big prize could grow between drawings. On Thursday, the organization said it would toss out even those guarantees and instead decide new jackpots and increases prior to each drawing. The leaders of Mega Millions, the other national lottery game, haven’t said if they will make similar changes to that game.

SEYMOUR, Iowa (AP) — Officials in southern Iowa say hundreds of people gathered in Wayne County for a horse auction being held on private property, despite a state order limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that the Midwest Trotting Horse Sale was held Thursday near Seymour on the property of Ura Gingerich, after having first been postponed earlier in the month. The Wayne County Health Department set up checkpoints on the property to screen people before they could enter. Department officials say at least one carload of people was sent away after being questioned as part of the screening. The department says it counted nearly 500 people attending the auction.

The Iowa businesses that Governor Kim Reynolds ordered to close last month must remain closed during the month of April. “I am also ordering that school closures are extended through April 30th,” she says. “Keeping Iowa students out of classrooms is a very difficult decision — but it remains necessary for now.” Schools, by law, will have to make up classes missed AFTER April 12th unless they come up with plans to conduct classes online or by distributing, collecting and grading paper copies of homework.

“At this time I am not ordering schools to close for the remainder of the school year,” Reynolds says. “…That said, it is also important that Iowa schools do their part to provide continuous learning opportunities for their students and so many school districts have already taken the initiative to do just this.” School districts must submit their plans for virtual learning — or plans for summer school — to the state by April 10th.

“There are a number of ways that schools can continue to engage students during this time and it’s each district’s responsibility to do so,” Reynolds says. Iowa Department of Education director Ann Lebo says schools may have different plans for different grade levels. “The recommendation to close schools through April 30th was not made lightly and we know the challenges that this decision puts on our schools and families,” Lebo says. “During these unprecedented times, we remain focused on supporting our schools, families and community partners to ensure Iowa learners are safe healthy, engaged and prepared.”

Lebo says state officials understand that uniform, consistent access to WiFi is a barrier for online classes in some districts.  “We are working with Governor Reynolds, Iowa’s AEAs and other partners to coordinate efforts so resources are in place,” Lebo says. The governor praised Lebo and others for taking steps to “re-imagine” how schools may function during this difficult time. “It’s really important that we continue to engage students regardless of these extraordinary circumstances,” Reynolds says.

Legislative leaders announced this (Thursday) afternoon that the 2020 legislative session would remain suspended through April 30th. Lawmakers in mid-March had suspended the session until April 13. The 20-member Legislative Council will convene sometime next week by telephone or video to conduct some pressing business.

The Pottawattamie County Public Health Department, Thursday, reported another presumptive positive COVID-19 case. The total of presumptive positives for Pottawattamie County is six, two of which have recovered. The most recent case is a female between 61-80 years old and a resident of Council Bluffs. The individual has pre-existing medical
conditions with no recent travel and no identifiable contact with an existing case. Because the case is not traceable,

Public Health believes it to be a result of community spread. The individual is currently self-isolating at home. Pottawattamie County Public Health is in communication with the Iowa Department of Public Health and is considering this case to be of no risk to the public.

Additionally, all Pottawattamie County and City of Council Bluffs playgrounds have temporarily closed. County and City parks remain open, but gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. Officials from the Pottawattamie County COVID-19 Response Task Force are urging people to stay home as often as possible. When it’s necessary to go out,
practice social distancing and always stay 6 feet away from others.

The Task Force would like to publicly thank Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) in Council Bluffs for partnering with Pottawattamie County Public Health to make hand sanitizer available. Thanks to SIRE, 5,000 gallons of sanitizer (SIREitizer) will be distributed to hospitals, first responders, and City and County offices. SIREitizer will be available for
purchase when small bottles become available.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Look for Powerball jackpots to get even smaller as the new coronavirus keeps more people at home, not out buying lottery tickets. It was only last week that the Powerball Product Group announced it would cut guaranteed jackpots in half and reduce the minimum amount the big prize could grow between drawings.

On Thursday, the organization said it would toss out even those guarantees and instead decide new jackpots and increases prior to each drawing. The leaders of Mega Millions, the other national lottery game, haven’t said if they will make similar changes to that game.

To reduce health risks associated with COVID-19, officials with the United States Postal Service (USPS) say they are temporarily modifying customer signature capture procedures as part of a social distancing initiative.

A statement from USPS says “While maintaining a safe, appropriate distance, employees will request the customer’s first initial and last name so that the employee can enter the information on the electronic screen or hard copy items such as return receipts, PS Forms 3811 and 3829.

“For increased safety, employees will politely ask the customer to step back a safe distance or close the screen door/door so that they may leave the item in the mail receptacle or appropriate location by the customer door.”

In your Post Office, customers are being limited to 10 persons at a time. There may be lines on the floor in the lobby of your Post Office, to help customers maintain a 6-foot distance in the queue to the service desk. There may also be a plastic barrier or shield (like those found in grocery stores), to protect the employee and customer. Once you place you package on the desk or counter, the USPS retail associate will ask you to step back while they process your transaction.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & prevention), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Surgeon General, have all indicated there is currently NO EVIDENCE that COVID-19 is being spread through mail and packages.

SEYMOUR, Iowa (KCCI-TV) — Officials in southern Iowa say hundreds of people have gathered in Wayne County for a horse auction being held on private property, despite a state order limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that the Midwest Trotting Horse Sale was held Thursday near Seymour on the property of Ura Gingerich, after having first been postponed earlier in the month.

The Wayne County Health Department set up checkpoints on the property to screen people before they could enter. Department officials say at least one carload of people was sent away after being questioned as part of the screening. The department says it counted nearly 500 people attending the auction.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has announced schools in the state will be closed through April 30th. Originally, the plan released on March 15th, had been for classes to resume April 13th. During her Thursday afternoon daily press conference, Reynolds said “Keeping Iowa’s students out of classrooms is a very difficult decision, but it remains necessary for now. We anticipate the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa to continue to grow.

“Keeping schools closed for an extended amount of time will help protect the safety of our students, teachers and school staff, reduce the burden, flatten the curve on our health care system and work force, and of course reduce the risk to our most vulnerable Iowans, and ultimately save lives.”

Reynolds said at this time, she is NOT ordering schools to remain closed until the end of the school year. She said Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo “has been working proactively with the Education Task Force to develop a plan that defines options for continuous learning programs., including non-credit and for-credit options. School Districts will be required to select the best option for the students and families they serve, and inform the State of their decision by April 10th.

“School Districts that choose not to provide continuous learning will be required to make up the instructional time lost beyond what has been waived by the Iowa Legislature.” Reynolds said “I also want to let school districts know, while we extended closures through April 30th, and we continue to evaluate information, I know that it’s also extremely important to you when you’re making your decisions, to give you at least a two-week’s notice and we will plan to do that as we move through this process.”

Director Lebo said “The recommendation to close schools through April 30th was not made lightly, and we know the challenges that puts on our schools and families.” Lebo said the two previously announced continuous learning options will remain in place. “Those options  which were based on recommendations from the Continuous Learning Task Force and take into account student needs and district resources include both a Voluntary Option and a Required Option.

“Under the Voluntary Option, schools can encourage students to participate but cannot require them to do so. Under the Required Option, students are required to participate, attendance is taken, work is graded and credit granted.” Lebo said also, “Under new guidance, all public districts and accredited non-public schools, are now required to indicate which method of continuous learning they will use, from April 13 through April 30th. They will have until April 10th to submit their decision.”

An expedited application process has been developed for any school that wants to implement a Required Continuous Learning Program. Lebo said “We encourage schools to work as quickly as possible on their plan, which may include the delivery of content through online learning, paper packets of assignment, or both. Accredited Non-Public Schools may decide to provide Required Educational services without applying to the Department for authority, but we ask that they indicate the decision to do so by the April 10th deadline.”

The applications will be available, soon. Educational resources for both families and educators is available on the Iowa Dept. of Education’s website, and include interactive games, virtual field trip, coding activities and E-Books.