The debate continues: Should a "Shelter in Place" order be issued in Iowa?

There's a debate beginning over whether a "shelter in place" order ought to be issued as a stricter approach to the coronavirus outbreak in Iowa and in Decorah.

The issue first came up at a Decorah City Council conference call last week, where the possibility of a localized emergency declaration was raised.  City council member Emily Neal urged having the city take stronger measures, saying at one point, "I don't know what we should do, but I don't like doing nothing."

Several questions were raised in response to the proposal, with City Attorney John Anderson asking what a local declaration would do that the state declaration hasn't done.  Emergency Management Coordinator Sean Snyder asked how such a declaration would be enforced locally.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has rejected such calls on the state level, telling reporters at a news conference, "If people do their part, if they are sick and stay home for the incubation period, if they have a fever, a cough, respiratory issues...right now we are not at that place where we're ready to implement that order."

Two long-time Decorah physicians say they favor a shelter in place order.  Kevin Sand says he agrees with "leading public health experts (who) argue that all U.S. states should have residents stay at home for several weeks."  David Bakken says, "Community spread is here and we just don't know it--we need to assume the virus is here."