Letter to the Editor: "The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be to control COVID-19"

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Dr. Kevin Sand, Dr. David Bakken and Dr. Max Quass):

"COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Iowa. Nationally renowned epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm, a Luther College graduate, likens COVID-19 to a forest fire. This virus is not coming in waves as he thought it might initially, but is rather acting as if the whole forest is on fire. Our nation's infections and deaths are the worst in the world.  We need to take urgent emergency action right now and we ask you, Governor Reynolds, to do so. The longer we delay, the more Iowans get sick and die, and the longer we have to stay shut down. This plan will certainly involve pain for Iowans, but nowhere near the pain of watching our family, friends and relatives suffer and die with COVID-19 infections.
 

1) Iowa must be shut down and our people need to stay home except for essential services.
 2) People need to continue to physically distance, wash hands, and wear masks when in public. Masks must be mandated.
 3)  We need to make sure our hospitals and clinics have PPE, and our state must recruit enough contact tracers to keep our numbers down, and make sure our sick get medical care and that Iowans have enough food.
 
This virus does not care what we think or want. If we do not get the number of infections under control, we will not be able to get our businesses or economy back and our schools opened. If we do half measures, this will take much longer.
 
Time is of the essence to make this happen. Any delay makes the fire worse.  The only way to knock down our Covid-19 numbers is to follow the above plan. The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be."