UI psychiatric professionals address mental health concerns around COVID-19
Mary Hartel, News Reporter
July 9, 2020
Though the long-term effects of COVID-19 on mental health remain unknown and are evolving, psychiatric professionals are observing and anticipating exacerbated symptoms of mood disorders and other mental-health concerns as the virus and efforts to mitigate it continue. Mark Niciu, an assistant profe...
Iowa City animal shelters and groomers see increased business
Cole Krutzfield, News Reporter
July 9, 2020
Increased mitigation measures and social-distancing restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has created extra time for people to do things they may not have otherwise — in this case, adopt a pet. Chris Whitmore, animal services coordinator at the Iowa City Animal Shelter, noted an in...
Johnson County Public Health and hospitals respond to recent spike in COVID-19 cases
Sebastian Lechuga, News Reporter
July 8, 2020
Despite a sharp increase in positive coronavirus cases in Johnson County in the month of June, Iowa City hospitals say they are not experiencing challenges dealing with an increase in COVID-19 patients. Daily case counts have consistently increased in Johnson County since June 15. Many restaurants and retail s...
Students expected to sign agreement to comply with COVID-19 guidelines in fall semester
Rachel Schilke, News Reporter
July 8, 2020
Students will be required to sign an agreement that ensures compliance with social distancing and COVID-19 guidelines upon their entry or return to the University of Iowa campus in the fall. UI Vice President for Student Life Sarah Hansen and Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Angie...
UI international students may need to leave U.S. after Thanksgiving per new ICE order
Josie Fischels and Caleb McCullough
July 8, 2020
International students studying at the University of Iowa may need to leave the United States by Thanksgiving break or earlier after the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s Monday announcement that new modifications to temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online classes would take effect. The exemptions issued by the program, which is part of the U.S. Immi...
Gov. Kim Reynolds considering new mitigation policies as COVID-19 cases rise
Caleb McCullough, Summer Editor
July 7, 2020
Gov. Kim Reynolds said she will consider implementing new mitigation strategies to curb the spread of the coronavirus as the seven-day average of new cases continues to climb in Iowa. Reynolds said that all options are on the table when it comes to further policies to mitigate the virus. She s...
Rummage in the Ramp aims to reduce landfill waste virtually
Natalie Dunlap, News Reporter
July 6, 2020
Iowa City’s Rummage in the Ramp in-person event was canceled this summer, along with most other annual traditions in the city, due to concern about community spread of the coronavirus. The city-sponsored event began in 2007 with the goal of reducing reusable items going into the landfill over ...
Iowa Athletics Department reports four additional positive COVID-19 tests
Robert Read, Sports Editor
July 6, 2020
The Iowa Athletics Department announced Monday that it conducted five COVID-19 tests for the week of June 29-July 5 and received four positive tests and one negative test. As part of the return to campus protocol, testing began May 29 and includes student-athletes, coaches, and staff. A total of 21 pos...
Recreational Services to begin phased reopening of facilities
Josie Fischels, Summer Editor
July 6, 2020
Recreational Services at the University of Iowa will begin a phased reopening of facilities this month, starting with Hawkeye Recreation Fields, Macbride Nature Recreation Area, outdoor basketball courts, and rugby and cricket fields on July 13. In a campus-wide email sent to the UI community, R...
Grassley says closing bars, mandating masks unnecessary in Iowa
Caleb McCullough, Summer Editor
July 6, 2020
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said he doesn’t think Gov. Kim Reynolds needs to close bars or mandate masks to limit coronavirus spread, though he praised the governors of other states taking similar measures. Grassley said that from what he’s seen, the coronavirus situation isn’t as bad in...
University of Iowa prepares for students to return to on-campus living by adapting residence, dining halls
Natalie Dunlap, News Reporter
July 2, 2020
As the start of the fall semester nears, students prepare to begin on or return to a University of Iowa campus that differs from previous years, with policies and procedures in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. The information that UI administrators are providing is fairly consistent with ...
Johnson County residents urge Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to require face coverings
Lillian Poulsen, News Reporter
July 2, 2020
Amid a recent spike in coronavirus cases in Johnson County, community members and local officials are calling upon Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to require people to wear face coverings in public. The number of cases in Johnson County has reached new highs, especially among college-aged people. As of Thursda...