Saturday at about 9 am the Mt. Union Fire Department was paged out for a fire at 109 W. Railroad Street. Winfield, Yarmouth, Washington and Morning Sun departments were all called for mutual aid. According to Mt. Union Fire Chief Shawn Bencze, whose home it is, said most of the damage was from smoke. He believes the fire was started by a window fan. Everyone was out in time with no injuries and Chief Bencze said there was a quick response time by the fire department.
Labor Contingency Plans for Farm and Rural Employers
AMES, Iowa – Although food and agriculture has been designated a critical industry by the federal government, those who work in these industries should plan ahead for how COVID-19 might impact operations.
“Start planning now so that you have some level of preparation,” said Melissa O’Rourke, farm management specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
O’Rourke recently authored a five-step guide to help agricultural and food workers of all kinds prevent and cope with possible labor disruptions due to the pandemic.
Called the “Five Steps to Formulate Workforce Contingency Plans in the COVID-19 Setting,” the publication points out the importance of following the recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and how to function during and after an outbreak.
Each sector of agriculture is vulnerable, if precautions are not followed. O’Rourke said dairy and livestock farmers are often short on labor even under good conditions. She advises farm operators to plan ahead, so that if one or more workers are affected, there is still someone qualified to take care of the animals and see that necessary chores get done.
The article also discusses ways farmers can cross-train each other and rotate job duties, and the importance of keeping a written copy of standard operating procedures, so all workers will know and follow the same plan.
“Whatever the regular workforce consists of on the farm, now is the time to assume that Plan A may collapse in the event of COVID-19 impacts,” O’Rourke writes. “Devise Plan B as the backup plan to fill labor needs; and be ready with a Plan C on deck as well.”
Crop producers should also be prepared, making sure there are ample people who know how to plant and run farm machinery this spring. One advantage, according to O’Rourke, is that there will likely be an increase in high school and college students who are unable to seek traditional summer employment, and therefore may be able to help on the farm.
O’Rourke said farmers should try to follow the same guidance as everyone else – the six-foot social distancing rule and use of personal protective equipment – whether it’s in the dairy barn, tractor cab, farm store or anywhere else farmers go.
In the worst case, she advises farm workers to be prepared to function with a reduced workforce. In that case, priorities and contingency schedules will be essential.
“Be ready for the possibility that the farm or ag business may be unable to recruit and train replacement workers,” she writes. “Anticipate this scenario by prioritizing the most essential tasks and critical workers.”
Additional resources on employee management are available on ISU Extension and Outreach’s Ag Decision Maker website at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wdhumanresources.html.
Additional COVID-19 cases in Iowa, additional deaths confirmed
Updated Sunday, 4/11/2020
DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 77 additional positive cases for a total of 1,587 positive cases. There have been an additional 383 negative tests for a total of 16,005 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs. Today’s results do not reflect a complete 24-hour cycle of testing as IDPH is currently transitioning to new reporting time frames.
According to IDPH, an additional 7 deaths were also reported.
- Linn County, 2 older adults (61-80 years), 4 elderly adults (81+)
- Washington County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 77 individuals include:
- Benton County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Black Hawk County, 1 child (0-17 years), 1 adult (18-40 years), 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years), 1 elderly (81+)
- Buchanan County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
- Clinton County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
- Des Moines County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Dubuque County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
- Jasper County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Johnson County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 7 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
- Linn County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years), 1 elderly (81+)
- Louisa County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 5 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
- Lyon County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
- Marshall County, 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years),
- Muscatine County, 4 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
- Osceola County, 1 middle-age adult (18-40 years)
- Polk County, 6 adults (18-40 years), 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 3 older adults (61-80 years), 2 elderly adult (81+)
- Scott County, 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80)
- Tama County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 6 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Warren County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Washington County, 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
According to IDPH, 674 Iowans have recovered. A full status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa is provided by IDPH and can be found here. The state of Iowa has started sharing the number of negative tests conducted at outside labs, and is continuing to provide additional information on the conditions of those infected with COVID-19. A public hotline has also been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431.
First DOC Staff Member Tests Positive
Friday, the Dept. of Corrections was informed by a staff member their results from a COVID-19 test came back positive.
The staff member is a correctional officer at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center. The department has implemented pre-established action steps and procedures for identifying COVID-19 contacts with staff and offenders and quarantining those exposed. The department is taking every appropriate measure to ensure that the impact on staff and inmates can be mitigated as much as possible.
The “adult” officer (age 18-40) began experiencing symptoms between Wednesday, April 8 and Thursday, April 9, and consulted with their medical provider who told them to take a test for COVID-19. The last day they were at work was Wednesday, April 8, which is when symptoms began to be present.
The officer is currently at home recovering. The department posts regular updates, as well as other information such as the steps the department has been taking to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on on our website at doc.iowa.gov/covid19.
At this point, the department has not had any inmates test positive for COVID-19.
Pauline J. Cota
Pauline J. Cota, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, passed away Friday, April 10, 2020, at Henry County Health Center.
A private funeral service will be held. Following the service cremation will be accorded. Inurnment will be in Arizona at a later date. A Celebration of Life Gathering for family and friends will be held at a later date. Gifts of love and friendship may be given to the family for a charity to be determined. Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements, and on-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com.
Born March 2, 1935, in Glendale, AZ, Pauline Julia was the daughter of Romulo and Julia (Garcia) Campos. Pauline spent her childhood in Van Nuys, CA. She married Joe Cota, who preceded her in death. She moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1996 and considered it her home ever since.
Devoted to her children and grandchildren, Pauline was a homemaker. She provided in home health care to those in need. She loved music and dancing, along with crocheting. Known to all as “Grandma,” Pauline was an incredible cook. She was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and in her younger days was active in the Altar and Rosary Society.
Sharing in Pauline’s life are a daughter, Gloria (Cesar) Avila of Beaver Dam, WI; two sons, Ray (Jackie) Cervantez of Burlington, IA and Harold Campos of Fox Lake, WI; grandchildren, Cynthia Carrazco, Ashley Holl, Nicole Sandoval, Nicholas Sandoval, and Martin Cervantez, along with additional grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Romula (Rayme) Campos and Joe (Leslie) Campos and two sisters, Julie (Arturo) Rivera and Joann Campos, all of Arizona.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Jesse Campos and Carlos Campos; a sister, Nellie Campos; and three grandchildren.
Dennis Royal Bedford
Dennis Royal Bedford, 81, of Mt. Union, died Thursday, April 9, 2020 at his home. He was born August 17, 1938 in Fort Dodge to Gilbert Royal and Annabelle Lee Adams Bedford.
He was a graduate of Harcourt High School and served in communications in the Army during the Vietnam conflict.
He was a self-employed accountant working mainly in the AG industry.
He was a member of Allis Connection Club; collected Allis Chalmers gas engines; loved farm toys and antique gas engines; and enjoyed attending Allis Chalmers shows and Old Threshers every summer.
Survivors include three sons, Wayne (Angela D.) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Curt (Kelly) of San Antonio, Texas and Ron of Sun City, Arizona; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two brothers, Gene Bedford of Aubrey, Texas and Duane (Cindy) Bedford of Russell, Iowa; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister Gwen.
According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and there will be no formal services, keeping in accordance with Governor Kim Reynolds executive order during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Elliott Chapel of New London is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Additional COVID-19 cases in Iowa, additional deaths confirmed
DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 118 additional positive cases for a total of 1,388 positive cases. There have been an additional 862 negative tests for a total of 14,565 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.
According to IDPH, an additional 2 deaths were also reported.
- Linn County, 1 older adult (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 118 individuals include:
- Allamakee County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60)
- Black Hawk County, 6 adults (18-40 years), 7 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Cedar County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
- Clarke County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Clayton County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
- Clinton County, 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Dubuque County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Fayette County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Harrison County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Henry County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Jasper County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
- Johnson County, 1 child (0-17 years), 5 adults (18-40 years), 6 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
- Linn County, 3 adults (18-40 years), 4 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
- Louisa County, 5 adults (18-40 years), 6 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 3 older adults (61-80 years)
- Marshall County, 2 adults (41-60 years)
- Muscatine County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 8 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Osceola County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Polk County, 6 adults (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Pottawattamie County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Scott County, 3 adults (18-40 years), 6 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years, 1 elderly adult (81+)
- Tama County, 4 adults (18-40 years), 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
- Union County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Wapello County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
- Warren County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Washington County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Winnebago County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
- Woodbury County, 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
From Senator Rich Taylor
Recovery resources for Iowans
We’ve had a lot of information coming our way in recent weeks, so I’d like to highlight a few key updates and recources that most constituents will find useful.
Face masks: All are encouraged to stay home as much as possible to avoid spreading the coronavirus. If you must go out, the CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in places where social distancing is difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).
Unemployment benefits: Unemployment claims have skyrocketed in recent weeks. To help all whose livelihood has taken a hit, the federal CARES Act expands unemployment benefits to the self-employed, independent contractors, nonprofit employees, gig economy workers, those who have exhausted other unemployment insurance and those who may not have sufficient work history to qualify for a regular state claim. Iowa Workforce Development intends to pay qualified individuals their benefits as quickly as possible.
Economic impact payments: The federal CARES Act has authorized cash rebates to individuals. Most Americans will get their payment automatically, and no further action is needed. Payments will be made by direct deposit or by check. For others, the IRS will soon provide guidance on how to get their payment as soon as possible. Check the IRS coronavirus page for updates.
Payroll Protection Program: Forgivable loans are available to businesses with fewer than 500 employees. The Small Business Administration will forgive these loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the loan is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities. Complete details are available on the SBA website.
What’s in the CARES Act: Iowa-based Alchemy Community Transformations has a helpful breakdown of the best resources for rural communities on their website. It includes information on relief benefits for individuals, as well as a guide to federal funding resources that can be searched by topic, eligibility, cost-share requirements and funding type.
For ongoing updates on Iowa’s key recovery resources, check the Senate Democrats caucus web page: senate.iowa.gov/democrats/covid-19.
Additional information
This is a legislative update from State Senator Rich Taylor, representing Henry and Lee counties and portions of Washington and Jefferson counties. For bio, photos and further information, go to senate.iowa.gov/senator/taylor.
To contact Senator Rich Taylor when the Legislature is in session, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise he can be reached at 319-931-1568. E-mail him at rich.taylor@legis.iowa.gov.
Senator Rich Taylor is an Assistant Leader. He serves on the following committees: