Ask The Answer Person: How would a shelter-in-place order be different than what we're already doing?

(Beth e-mails: "I am really confused about the shelter in place orders.  What would be different than what we are doing?  Stores are closed, people are limiting their exposure to each other.  A friend of mine drove to La Crosse last week and was never questioned or stoped and they are a shelter-in-place state.  So what is the enforcement policy of shelter in place?")

The Answer Person says: "Iowa is one of just five states without a statewide stay-at-home order, according to the New York Times.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has been arguing that the proclamations she's issued to Iowans to stay home and avoid gathering in public are 'essentially' the same as a shelter-in-place order.  Reynolds issued new restrictions Monday to further limit nonessential businesses and gatherings.  That has led some public health figures to agree that Iowa is 'essentially' telling people to stay at home.

Critics say Iowa has had a 'piecemeal' approach which unnecessarily endangers health care workers.

As to the question about an enforcement policy, Iowa now has one—as of Monday.  The governor's latest announcement makes the violation of the governor's proclamations a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum fine of $625 and up to 30 days in jail. Law enforcement officers are in charge of enforcing the rules."