As Iowa gets ready to reopen, Winneshiek County Public Health has a caution about "the new normal"

Staff members at Winneshiek County Public Health

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has begun issuing proclamations designed to return Iowa to "normal."

But Winneshiek County Public Health spokeperson Nancy Sacquitne has a caution for people. She told a group of Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce members, "Things are going to be totally different."

For instance, although restaurants will be allowed to reopen Friday, they will be required to maintain physical distancing of 6 feet between customers.  Sacquitne also says customers should expect to see waiters and waitresses wearing face masks.

The precautions are still necessary until a vaccine for COVID-19 is created—and that could take a year or longer. And even if a vaccine is found, it would still have to be manufactured and distributed. It's unlikely that drugmakers can manufacture enough vaccine to protect everyone, so the vaccine would have to be given to the most at-risk people first.

In short, don't expect the coronavirus epidemic to be declared over any time in the near future.